Robyn Williams (Willowcraft founder) came to Vancouver in 2002 to study Theology and the Arts. She rediscovered her childhood love for ceramics in a little studio on the Eastside. Over the past twelve years Robyn has focused on developing the skills and technique to establish herself as a production potter. In 2008 Robyn was approached by Justpotter’s social enterprise to join their team as Senior Potter. For Justpotter’s Robyn has designed new products, developed glazes and spent countless hours at the wheel producing high quality work for the enterprise. During this time she completed her Masters of Arts in Theological Studies at Vancouver School of Theology focusing on the Arts and Religion and the Arts in Marginalized Communities. This period of study culminated in a solo ceramics show which formed the basis for her Master’s Thesis paper.
In 2013 Willowcraft was born. Robyn had been using her spare time to create an individual line of work that was uniquely hers and with the encouragement of her friends and workmates she decided to launch in November of last year. She participated in the Eastside Culture Crawl and Make It. These events led to a spot on the Eastside Culture Crawl facebook page, a feature on CBC radio, and the opportunity to put a carafe in every room of the Four Seasons Hotel in Whistler.
Robyn’s vision for Willowcraft is simple; create high quality functional wear that people really want to use. Robyn sees that hospitality is so often at the center of culture, a shared meal, coffee with friends, or a good beer on a Friday after work, are the things we look forward to. We eat and drink together and share the experience of flavour and conversation. “Let’s bring beautiful vessels to the table” Robyn says “the culture of food and drink is so central to who we are as human beings that the way we serve it needs to reflect our love for who we share it with.”