TWO artistic students have used skills learnt during their studies to set up their own business.

Stacey Clarkson and Rebecca Brown have opened their own ceramics workshop in Darlington, and will be designing and making bespoke items of earthenware and stoneware for commission and public sale.

The students, both graduates from Cleveland College of Art and Design (CCAD), have fulfilled a longheld dream of setting up their own venture.

Ms Brown, 21, from Darlington, said: “Setting up your own business in such uncertain times can be quite daunting but this college course really has prepared us to be our own bosses.”

Ms Clarkson, from Fishburn, County Durham, said: “The applied arts course really opened my eyes to the possibilities of turning a craft skill into a full time career.

“I never thought I’d be a self-employed designer making my own products. The course has really changed the direction of my life.”

Evy Hardwick, higher education programme leader for the BA Hons applied arts for enterprise course at CCAD, said the course is a good starting point for setting up such a business.

“Everything about this course is with a view to self employment and making a living out of a craft,” she said.

“All our students leave not only with the skills they have learnt in ceramics, textiles and jewellery making, but also with a business plan and range of saleable products.”