ELLEN HAYWARD

Ceramicist Ellen Hayward speaks to Dominique Corlett about sassy horses, the appeal of the miniature, and putting joy out into the world

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Ceramicist Ellen Hayward loves to make small things.

Specifically, tiny people and animals, most of whom stand no more than eight centimetres tall. She makes ladies in brightly coloured dresses and gentlemen in stripey jumpers - some have their hands on their hips, some wave their arms in the air. Many sport a jaunty hat or a bird perched on their heads; the ladies have tall beehive hairdos in a myriad of colours, some of which have fallen skew-whiff, off to one side. There are dogs and cats too: black and white poodles with coiffes to rival their mistresses, and orange foxes with bushy tales.

Despite their diminutive size and the simplicity of their decoration, there is no shortage of personality in Ellen's menagerie. Individually - and particularly when grouped together with their peers in complementary patterns and colours - there is an exuberance about them that is hard to resist. 'If I were to describe them,' says Ellen, 'I would say they are joyful and a bit curious. I've never been too serious about the design of them. For me, it's about bringing a bit of playfulness and lightheartedness and hoping that people will respond to that.'