At Feldspar we make what we call 'objects for life'. Useful objects, made to last. We tend to make things we’d like to use ourselves, and then hope - fingers crossed - that other people might like them enough to buy them too. And we are huge fans of Christmas - gathering families and friends around the table to celebrate together. In fact, the whole reason we began making our own plates and bowls was because we had our (enormous) families coming for Christmas when we'd first moved to Devon, and didn't have nearly enough crockery - so we started making it and haven't looked back!
Our festive table is always fairly large due to the aforementioned huge families, and while we don't ever have any sort of decorative 'scheme' going on as long as it’s full of beautiful and cherished objects that are well made, it’s going to look great. Here are our top ten items fit for a Festive Feldspar Feast!
PLATES
This might seem obvious, but our dinner plates really come into their own for THE Christmas meal - they are really big. 28.5cm across, which if you’ll measure is enormous. We love the look of the three sizes of our plates stacked together at each place setting, too. The little (‘Cake’) plates are perfect for bread rolls or Christmas pudding but also really perfect for mince pies.
ICE CREAM BOWLS
So useful for housing all the sauces (cranberry/chestnut/bread) on the table and we like to dot these about filled with a never-ending supply of chocolate coins and turkish delight!
BAUBLES
Our new striped fine bone china baubles are beautifully handmade in our Devon workshops. They look wonderful dotted around the festive table and make a really special gift for the host!
FRUIT BOWL
In our opinion the best dish to serve up a Christmas pud in. On a pedestal too so it doesn’t take up lots of room at the table, but looks brilliant with a garnish of bright berries. Ours is filled with walnuts for the rest of the festive period, until the shops stop selling them whole. Extra festive points for a 24ct Gold one.
OVAL PLATTER
Big enough to hold the turkey in the centre of the table, or a side of salmon. Or a giant Christmas pavlova (always a good idea!)
CANDLE HOLDER
Candle Holders (in festive geranium red) - I put two down the length of our table as it’s a long one, also made by Jeremy for that first Devon Christmas. Currently housing an advent candle, soon to be replaced with...(see below!)
BEESWAX CANDLES
Our beeswax candles (made from local beeswax up on the moor) are deliciously naturally scented. Pop in the candle holders and sit down the table for when the evenings draw in.
COLANDER
Colander, for grapes. Always need a lot of grapes at Christmas, to accompany all that cheese, and our colander makes a wonderfully elegant serving bowl to keep on the table.
PASTA BOWLS
For serving up all those sides. Not too big as to swamp the table but easily large enough for a mini-mountain of roast potatoes for 6 (or all the sprouts).
STRIPED CANDLE
One of our new candles made for The Conran Shop is in pride of place on the mantlepiece at home - fine bone china is translucent, so creates a lantern-like effect when the candle is lit - a warming glow during dark winter days.
