Overview

Crafted Futures is a project by Community Clay Newham that aims to offer local residents the chance to upskill and engage with creative enterprise through the art of ceramics.

The project will recruit a small, committed group of local participants who will learn a wide range of transferable skills including:

Ceramic design and production,
Marketing,
Packaging, and
Business planning.

Community Clay Newham are partnering with Custom Made who will provide both the space for their sessions and the newly launched shop front where participants will display and sell their creations - and a summer market for a big sales push.

Learnings

The working group will decide on which ready made bisque designs to purchase at cost, then focus on the creative process of designing, painting, and firing their pieces. The aim is to give participants not only artistic and technical skills but also business and entrepreneurial knowledge—empowering them to generate income and boost their confidence. Community Clay Newham will be calling upon the expertise of local residents to lead the learning and help guide the project creatively. Kiln firing will be made available at cost by Community Clay Newham. Any profit made from the project will act as seed funding for the next phase of enterprise, the direction of which the group can decide upon, research and bring to life.

About the project partners

Community Clay Newham

Community Clay Newham is a newly formed Community Interest Company in East London, dedicated to harnessing the therapeutic power of clay. From small group hand-building sessions to lively paint-your-own pottery workshops—we curate accessible, inclusive spaces where creativity and connection thrive. Our mission is simple: to bring people together, ease loneliness, and promote better mental health through the mindful, hands-on process of working with clay.

Ife Okwudili

Ife Okwudili (she/her) spent over 20 years working as a television producer & executive in both the UK and North American markets, before transitioning to a new career in the world of coaching and training. She holds an MSc in Positive Psychology and coaching in addition to extensive experience managing talented teams both on & off screen. A passionate self-taught potter, Ife also integrates clay work into coaching sessions, using the meditative, tactile nature of ceramics to help clients reduce stress, process emotions, and gain fresh perspectives on their goals. Whether guiding individuals or building community through Community Clay Newham, Ife is on a mission to prove that creativity isn’t just an art—it’s a powerful tool for transformation.

What are Micro-Commissions for Newham?

In December 2024 Culture Within Newham launched a new micro-commissioning scheme for grants of up to £1,000. The first round offered commissions to artists and organisations in the Green Street, East Ham, Manor Park, and Little Ilford areas. The second round of commissions was for Custom House, Beckton, and Royal Albert/North Woolwich. The third round offered micro-commissions of up to £3,000 to projects in all of the areas listed above.

The micro-commissions aim to support new ideas, providing an opportunity to build experience in delivering artistic or creative projects. Meet the rest of the Micro-Commissions on their dedicated project page.