15.09.08
Ceramics business scoops award

Building a successful business from home, raising a family and studying at college is never an easy combination, but Julie Murdoch-George from Canonstown, near Hayle has done just that. Her outstanding commercial and artistic achievements were recognised recently when she was presented with the Best Creative Business Award, sponsored by the Combined Universities in Cornwall (CUC), at the 2008 Hidden Art Design Fair.

Jmgceramics has grown from Julie’s love of design and crafts into a successful business which displays at 16 galleries across the UK, hosts a website with online shop and exhibits at design and craft fairs countrywide. Jmgceramics produces a range of eye catching, handmade earthenware products, decorated in delicate feminine patterns and unique designs, from elegant jugs, quirky vases, seed pots and candle holders to heart mugs and jewellery.

Julie’s vision of a ceramics business started to take shape when she returned to education in 2001, after raising her family and working as a secretary.

She began by taking an HND in Studio Ceramics at Cornwall College, explaining, “I found I suddenly had time to do what I wanted to do, so I followed my artistic interests. The tutor at Cornwall College, Linda Styles, really inspired me too - she was an artist and a teacher and I thought ‘if she can do it, maybe I can!’”

Completing her HND with distinction, Julie progressed onto a Degree in Studio Ceramics at Falmouth College of Arts (now University College Falmouth).  After also taking a PGCE teaching qualification, she was then able to return to Cornwall College to teach the very HND course she originally took in 2001. With an income to support her, Julie started her business from home - with a kiln in her garage and her dining room table as her desk - and has never looked back.  Her work is now displayed in galleries locally and as far afield as Scotland.

Julie explains it wasn’t always easy, “Ceramics is a hard industry to get into but with determination, I’ve managed to succeed.  Last year I took a business course at Penwith College through Creative Skills which helped me think how to run my business, analyse figures and track sales.  My daughter Zoë, who was studying Graphic Design at the same time as me at Falmouth, has also designed and frequently updates my website.  Zoë creates designs that are transferred digitally onto my work and also helps me in the business, particularly with the jewellery range.”

David Kirk, Combined Universities in Cornwall PR and Communications Manager presented Julie with the award at the Hidden Art event at Godolphin House saying, “Combined Universities in Cornwall has always been about helping people to build successful careers in the county and this award was set up as a modest way of helping one graduate to make a success of their business. There were a number of really exciting graduate businesses exhibiting at the Design Fair and it was genuinely hard to select a winner, but in the end it was Julie’s mixture of creativity and evident flair for business which won through. The award represents £500 worth of support and facilities at UniversityCollegeFalmouth’s Design Centre at Tremough and I hope that Julie finds the prize helpful in developing new products and processes that help jmgceramics to thrive in the future.”

Speaking about the award, Julie added, “With this opportunity, ideally, we’d like to use the machinery at the Design Centre to make surface decorations, to make our decals - and get some advice on how to improve my business.  It’s important to be fresh with ideas - clients expect something new and that’s what we always strive for.”

Julie is a member of Cornwall Crafts Association and also Hidden Art Cornwall. Jmgceramics can be seen in local galleries in St Ives, Marazion, Mousehole, Trelissick, Trelowarren and Falmouth and online at www.jmgceramics.co.uk.

For further information please contact Emma Stallard, Combined Universities in Cornwall PR and Communications Officer on 01209 721076 / 07717 377581 or email emma.stallard@cuc.ac.uk.

The Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has invested in the Combined Universities in Cornwall (CUC) project, both Phase 1 and Phase 2, through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund (ESF).

Editor's notes:

The 2008 Hidden Art Design Fair was held on Saturday 23rd August.

Combined Universities in Cornwall is a dynamic and visionary partnership that is one of the driving forces behind Cornwall’s economic renaissance. The principal partners are the Universities of Exeter and Plymouth, University College Falmouth, Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry, Cornwall College, Truro College and Penwith College. It aims not only to provide the students of the future with more choice and greater opportunities, but also to boost the economic fortunes of the region for the benefit of one and all.

The CUC initiative has been invested in by the Objective One Partnership for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, the South West Regional Development Agency, Cornwall County Council and the Higher Education Funding Council for England.

Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager
The Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01872 223439

cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk

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