Ceramica Blue
http://www.ceramicablue.co.uk/
Lindy Wiffen, the founder and owner of Ceramica Blue, has been a collaborator of the Dirt Cafe project since 2004. Once again, she brings her expertise and knowlesdge of the hidden stories embedded in tableware to the Dirt Cafe Water Debate's table.
Before the Dirt Cafe project, Lindy had already become involved with 'design' research into the potential for enhancing the experience of eating in 2003 and 2004 with chef Sarah Benjamin and designer Claire Hartten.
As described on Lindy's website, 'Ceramica Blue was founded in 1987, close to the bustling Portobello Road, enhancing the areas reputation as a focal point for unusual specialist outlets. We select hand painted items from more than 20 potteries; from family run studios's in Italy to individual ceramicists in Britain. The shop carries an extensive range of tableware, some thirty designs, decorated to transform even the simplest meal into a celebration. Keeping the hand painted strongly in mind, we seek out pieces which are both functional and decorative. There is a wealth of generously sized pieces, decorated with glorious colours, some inspired by the strong ceramic traditions of Tuscany and Sicily including the superbly crafted native folk art of Giovanni de Simone (famed for his work with Picasso); others more softly hued, take their influence from the British countryside.'