About Florence & Milly Pottery
Handmade with Creativity, Character and Care
Florence & Milly Pottery is an independent Irish pottery brand founded by ceramic artist Laura Barry. Each piece is individually made at Make & Mould Studio in Duncannon, County Wexford.
Inspired by the sea, landscape and changing colours of the Hook Peninsula, Laura creates distinctive pottery designed to bring colour, character and a sense of the coast into everyday life.
Alongside her collections, Laura shares the experience of working with clay through pottery painting, handbuilding workshops, wheelthrowing lessons and creative programmes for individuals, families, organisations and community groups.
A Passion for Pottery
Meet Laura Barry
Laura is the founder and ceramic artist behind Florence & Milly Pottery.
Her journey into pottery grew from a love of creativity, connection and the positive effect that making can have on wellbeing. With a background spanning nursing, public relations, events and business ownership, Laura brings creativity, practical experience and a strong understanding of people to everything she does.
Since 2015, she has taught pottery in her own studios, at external venues and online. Her workshops are welcoming, supportive and designed to help people enjoy the process without feeling pressured to create something perfect.
Laura is particularly passionate about making creativity accessible. She understands that people learn, communicate and experience creative spaces differently, and works to create an encouraging environment where everyone can participate at their own pace.
The Florence & Milly Journey
Where It All Began
Florence & Milly Ceramic Art Studio and Coffee Bar opened in Sallins, County Kildare, in 2015. It became a much-loved creative space where people could paint pottery, learn clay techniques, celebrate special occasions and enjoy time together.
Over eight years, the studio welcomed individuals, families, schools, community organisations and corporate groups. Florence & Milly also delivered creative workshops for clients throughout Ireland and internationally.
A New Direction
When the Kildare studio closed in 2023, Florence & Milly evolved into a mobile creative business. Laura continued teaching through community programmes, corporate events, schools, festivals and pop-up workshops.
This chapter allowed Florence & Milly to reach new communities while Laura developed her own pottery collections and explored the next stage of the business.
A New Home by the Sea
In February 2026, Laura opened Make & Mould Studio in Duncannon, County Wexford.
The studio is now the home of Florence & Milly Pottery and provides a welcoming workspace for pottery, creative workshops and locally made art and gifts. It marks a new coastal chapter while continuing the values that have shaped Florence & Milly since the beginning: creativity, inclusion and connection.
Inspired by the Wexford Coast
Living and working beside the sea has brought a new direction to Laura’s pottery.
The beaches of Duncannon, the waters surrounding the Hook Peninsula, colourful sunsets, rainbows, local wildlife and the iconic Hook Lighthouse all influence her designs. These coastal references appear through flowing shapes, ocean blues, sea greens, warm sunset colours and carefully incorporated pieces of seaglass.
The collection includes functional pottery and decorative keepsakes such as mugs, bowls, jugs, trinket dishes, tealight holders and coastal pieces created to be used, gifted and enjoyed.
Because every item is handmade, small differences in form, glaze and finish are part of its character. No two pieces are exactly alike.
Creativity with a Lasting Impact
For Laura, pottery is about more than the finished object. Working with clay can encourage mindfulness, confidence, concentration and connection.
Since 2015, Florence & Milly has delivered creative experiences for schools, community groups, county councils, family support services, healthcare organisations and businesses. Clients have included Kildare County Council, Wexford County Council, Tusla, Education and Training Boards, the HSE, Kare and Acquired Brain Injury Ireland.
Laura has worked with beginners, experienced makers, neurodivergent participants and people returning to creativity after illness, injury or a long break. Her teaching style is practical, patient and adaptable.
Community projects have also given participants opportunities to exhibit and celebrate their work. Laura’s own creative development has been supported through Local Enterprise Office programmes and an arts grant from Kildare County Council, which helped her create and exhibit her first pottery collection.
How the Pottery Is Made
Each Florence & Milly piece begins with clay and an idea inspired by colour, nature or coastal life.
Many pieces are formed by hand using techniques such as slab building, pinching, moulding, pressing and carving. Laura also uses the pottery wheel, particularly when teaching wheelthrowing experiences.
Once formed, the pottery must dry slowly and completely. It is then fired for the first time in the kiln. After this initial firing, each piece is decorated and glazed before returning to the kiln for its final firing.
The process cannot be rushed. Drying, firing and cooling take time, and the finished result is not fully revealed until the kiln is opened.
Natural variations in shape, glaze and colour are celebrated as part of the handmade process. These details give every Florence & Milly piece its own individual character.
Discover Florence & Milly
Bring a little of the Irish coast into your home with pottery handmade in Duncannon, or enjoy the experience of creating something yourself at Make & Mould Studio.
Whether you are looking for a meaningful gift, a distinctive piece for your home or time to slow down and work with clay, Florence & Milly offers something made with creativity, character and care.