Iona Crawford Topp is a ceramicist based in North Yorkshire, working from her studio in her father’s former blacksmith workshop near York. She specialises in wheel-thrown stoneware and porcelain, focusing on function and form. Her work balances usability with elegance, finished in a natural palette of earthy greens and warm oranges. She is particularly interested in glaze formulation and atmospheric firings, continually refining her techniques to enhance both aesthetics and durability.

Born and raised in rural North Yorkshire, Topp grew up surrounded by craftspeople, with blacksmiths, potters, stonemasons, and carpenters shaping her early appreciation for handmade work. Initially pursuing a degree in Marine Biology at Newcastle University, she discovered her passion for ceramics while working in fine dining, where she encountered handcrafted tableware. This led her to train professionally, graduating from the DCCOI Ceramics Skills Course in Kilkenny, Ireland, where she studied production throwing, glaze chemistry, and kiln firing.

Topp now creates ceramics designed for everyday use, enhancing daily rituals through thoughtful design. She has also collaborated with fine dining restaurants to produce bespoke tableware, merging functionality with refined craftsmanship.