Pott’r x MakerHelle – A Shared Vision

Pott’r x MakerHelle – A Partnership Built on Shared Craft and Complementary Expertise

Earlier this month, Nicola and I travelled to Denmark to meet Helle and her husband Martin, the creative duo behind MakerHelle. What began as a conversation about shared ideas a few months ago has quickly grown into a partnership full of energy, respect, and genuine excitement. Our two small teams care deeply about innovation, accessibility, and helping potters enjoy their craft — and this collaboration feels like a natural fit.

A Shared Vision, Strengthened by Synergy

Our two companies Pott’r and MakerHelle share the same mission: to create pottery tools that are practical, precise, and beautifully designed for makers at every level. But what makes this partnership truly special is the synergy between our skill sets.

Helle is a trained and highly experienced mechanical engineer, with years of expertise in CAD design, problem-solving, and manufacturing precision. Her approach to design is meticulous, technical, and deeply thoughtful.

In contrast, my contribution comes from a lifetime spent at the pottery wheel. I understand the challenges potters face, the small frustrations, the requirements of form, balance, and feel. I know what makes a tool genuinely helpful — because I’ve used them, taught with them, and relied on them for decades.

Together, we bring engineering precision and potter’s intuition into one place.

This combination means we’re able to design tools that truly serve the needs of real potters, rooted in hands-on experience and brought to life with engineering excellence.

Bringing Tools Closer to Makers

With this collaboration, Pott’r products are now produced and sold within the EU, removing customs duties, delays, and import fees for European customers.
Likewise, MakerHelle’s products will soon be available in the UK directly through Pott’r, giving UK potters seamless access to the tools they love.

This isn’t just convenient — it makes our tools more accessible, more affordable, and easier to order for customers across Europe.

Working Together for the Future

This partnership goes far beyond distribution. It opens the door to collaborative design. We are now regularly problem-solving whilst working together on new product development. Together, we’ll be refining existing ideas and creating brand-new tools — all with the shared goal of making pottery more enjoyable and accessible for everyone.

Combining my pottery background with Helle’s engineering expertise gives us a unique opportunity to push boundaries, rethink traditional tools, and design solutions that genuinely help potters of all abilities.

The Meeting of Two Teams

During our visit, we took a few photos with the four of us. It was a lovely moment to capture the spirit of two small creative businesses coming together, united by shared values, complementary skills, and a deep love for the craft. Our wonderful visit to MakerHelle included a trip just down the road to Legoland as well as some more serious work to get through. But all in all, it was a celebration of the new partnership.

What’s Next

We’re incredibly excited for what lies ahead. This collaboration brings together the best of both worlds — engineering precision and pottery experience — and opens the door to countless possibilities.

Stay tuned for more updates as we begin this next chapter together… and keep an eye out for new Pott’r x MakerHelle creations coming very soon.