Newport ceramicists launch pop-up in Queen’s Arcade offering everything from miniature Christmas trees to brussels sprout earrings
Two South Walian ceramicists hope their new Christmas-themed pop-up stall in central Cardiff will boost their usual online-only sales in their first high street stall since leaving lockdown.
Bill Price and Ben Dunnett, independent handmade ceramicists from Newport, will have an animatronic pop-up stall in Cardiff Creative shop at Queen’s Arcade.
According to their website, Bill and Ben’s Occasional Emporium, they originally started selling reusable ceramic straws in 2017 after David Attenborough’s Blue Planet II highlighted the damage plastic straws had on the environment.
Bill said, “It’s been quite amazing since reopening in April and we’re hoping the volume of sales will increase even more dramatically in the next few weeks” there will even be an animatronic stand opening to reveal different ceramic wares in Cardiff creative from this month.
They’ve been experimenting with other handmade ceramics of varying sizes and designs. And now they’ve extended this to Christmas-themed goods including a twirling toadstool tree, brussels sprout and Christmas pudding earrings.
They have done pop-ups in the past, however, this is the first time they’ve returned to Cardiff high street with their Christmas goods since the pandemic began.
Bill and Ben are optimistic that adding a high street outlet will increase sales. As the Independent reports, retail sales grew for the first time in five months in October (by 0.8%) and only look to increase as long as Christmas shopping on the high street continues from November into December.
Even at the prospect of another lockdown Bill remains positive. “The winter lockdown was a bit of a welcome rest last year, and financially online sales totally took over so we were kept pretty busy,” Bill said.
You can see Bill and Ben’s wares for yourselves at either Cardiff Creative shop or on Bill and Ben’s website.
Bill and Ben’s top three picks for this year’s stocking fillers
Christmas ceramic straws. “These are one of our most popular picks helping the planet at the same time!” 
Brussels sprout earrings. “Smaller items such as earrings would make great stocking fillers.” 
Hanging ceramic plant pot. “It has a mid-century vibe which is perfect for any small space.”