“Our platform isn’t just about pottery”
Claire Macaulay speaks to sisters Emily and Olivia Kilby about their inclusive pottery business.
MEET sisters Emily and Olivia, the brains behind Wheely Good Ceramics, a pottery business with a difference.
With Olivia throwing pots on the wheel and Emily painting intricate designs, it may surprise you to discover that this is a recent venture for the pair . . . and that Emily paints their wares by mouth!
While on a family holiday in 2011, thirteen-year-old Emily became paralysed from the shoulders down due to her spinal cord swelling.
Before this life-changing accident, Emily had been highly creative, but found it difficult to continue her pursuits.
“I didn’t do art for years,” she says. “Our school was small, and I was never shown how I could adapt with my condition.”
Then Emily came across a man on Instagram painting using a mouth stick, and she began to experiment with painting on canvases.
Her mother and Olivia encouraged Emily with her painting, recognising the value of art therapy.
Emily found full canvases a lot of space to fill, though, and struggled to find a medium that worked well for her.
In 2022, younger sister Olivia taught herself to throw pottery as a form of creative escape following her graduation.
“I always knew I wanted to do my own creative thing,” she says.
Recognising Emily’s frustrations with canvases, Olivia gave her a pot to paint, sparking the idea for Wheely Good Ceramics.
The first ceramic they made was an engagement present for their older sister – a jug painted with blue butterflies.
The piece was meaningful, beyond being a touching family gift.
When Emily was first paralysed and in hospital, there were butterflies painted around the room, which she used to count every day.
“They’ve always been important to me,” she explains.
For Emily and Olivia, running a family business has been a breeze. The youngest of four sisters, the pair had always been inseparable and found it a natural fit to work together.
“It’s wonderful to do this as a team,” Olivia says. “The things we could do together became quite limited after Emily’s injury, but with Wheely Good Pottery we’re both integral.”
Olivia takes care of the day-to-day running of the business with administrative and digital roles, while Emily also works for the Civil Aviation Authority.
She is passionate about transport inclusivity for those with disabilities – something the sisters bring into their business, too.
“Our platform isn’t just about pottery, but disability rights. We’re passionate about raising awareness,” Olivia says.
“When people don’t know the issues faced by those with disabilities, it’s not them being ignorant,” Emily adds. “They just don’t experience it. For me, something as simple as a lift not working can ruin a whole day.”
The pair champion positive representation of those with disabilities.
“You can still do so many things with a disability. It’s just about making slight adaptations,” Emily says.
Seeing fans engage with the studio on social media, it’s clear their mission of creating community and understanding is succeeding.
Wheely Good Ceramics is a family pottery business, but also a source of education, encouragement and understanding.
• Follow Wheely Good Ceramics on Instagram @wheelygoodceramics, or go to wheelygoodceramics.com.