Time-honoured, materially informed craftmanship
Through Pennystone Creative Studio, John Stanley examines material, process, and permanence through a practice rooted in hand-crafted mastery. Traditional techniques are reimagined through a contemporary, editorial lens, producing work defined by quiet luxury, integrity, and narrative depth.
Based in Wensleydale, North Yorkshire, John trained at York School of Art, where he developed his focus on textiles and fibre. The surrounding landscape and its rich heritage continue to shape his practice, informing both material choices and a strong commitment to sustainability.
A defining aspect of his work is the use of locally sourced rare breed fleeces, reflecting a close relationship with place and process. Natural dyes, made from seasonally grown and foraged plants, bring depth and variation to his mixed media pieces. These processes yield richly nuanced surfaces, where colour, texture, and form are developed through time, skill, and an intimate knowledge of material.
Alongside his studio practice, John leads workshops and delivers talks, sharing his knowledge with a wider audience while encouraging engagement with traditional making in a contemporary context and fostering a deeper appreciation for craft.
The Poetry of Material Integrity
''My work sits at the intersection of historic craftsmanship and contemporary restraint. Each piece born in the studio is a study in permanence, allowing the raw character of the material—whether clay, textile fibres, or natural products to speak through quiet, functional form. Rooted in a respect for slow processes, the work, I create is made to endure across generations.
Where Heritage Meets Sustainable Innovation
To bridge the gap between historic craftsmanship and the contemporary curatorial lens.
“The attention to detail and hand-forged elements brought a soul to our project that mass-produced items never could.”
ELIZA VANCE
“Pennystone's approach to sustainable art
is honest and pure. Every piece feels like a legacy in the making.”
MARCUS THORNE
“There is a rare poetry in the textures of John's ceramics. Raw, yet perfectly refined for a modern editorial home.”
SARAH JENKINS