Many moons ago, when I was at University, there was a great emphasis on form and function. What we made had to have purpose. If we wanted a customer to buy from us, our product needed to be useful. What it took me at least a decade to realise, is that beauty is useful; emotional impact is useful.

I was very apologetic about my designs when I first started my business because they didn’t do anything but take up space. Should I be making pots or vases or jewellery- something that has a purpose and is therefore worthy of a customer?

One of my most favourite pieces of sculpture is Family Of Man by Barbara Hepworth, at Yorkshire Sculpture Park. I could walk among them forever. Each sculpture is so textural and interesting from every angle. They’re funny and charming and beautiful. And it’s as much fun to experience them by yourself, as it is with other people, because by yourself you can use the holes to frame your favourite landscape, while other people will poke their heads through the holes and wave at you. So they’re contemplative as well as interactive. I love them. But what purpose does any of Barbara Hepworth’s work serve that is tangibly useful? Every purpose. Joy is the best purpose, in my opinion. That’s why I decorate my walls with pretty things.

Now clearly I’m no Barbara Hepworth. I’m not entirely without hubris! I’m not making any sort of grandiose comparison. But my point is that making things that bring people joy is just as useful as a fork or a plant pot. We buy things that please us or move us in some way.

One of the nicest things a person might ever have said about my business came from a lady who visited my open studio at Manchester Craft and Design Centre. I believe she was a solicitor of some sort. Her job was busy and stressful. She said that on days where she was sad or stressed, she would visit my studio on her lunch break to just stand among the sculptures. She said my studio was an oasis of happiness and calm in a busy city. It was sad and lovely at the same time. I’d like to say I sent her away with a sculpture in her arms, but I was too embarrassed and awkward a human to do that at the time.

And that’s why I make my sculptures. Happiness is so precious and I want what I do to make people smile. I am happiest with animals, or when spring flowers are in bloom, and I’m not alone in that. And so that’s why I make them. I hope they bring you cheer to look at them.