An enduring passion for colour, shape and form -
a dedication to creating beautiful, lasting products
that will bring joy for a lifetime.
Our Story
A Love of Colour and Form
Glass is actually the second career of Esther Patterson, founder and designer of Curiousa. A lifelong creative, she felt unfulfilled as a graphic designer and returned to university to study decorative arts. She was happily pursuing both textiles (for the colours) and bone china (enjoying the forms), when a visit to a local glass blower, Anthony Wassell, showed her a way to marry up both mediums. “It was an amazing eureka moment,” she recalls. “At the time, lighting felt quite masculine in greys and whites, so I thought there might be a niche in the market for some simple but still decorative, lighting forms.”
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A Curiousa Story
Esther launched Curiousa & Curiousa (now re-branded to just CURIOUSA) a year after graduating in 2010, and was overwhelmed, after earning the Elle Decoration Design Award, when her jewel-like lighting designs were an overnight success. Since that pivotal moment Esther has never looked back. “I was really keen to keep to my ethos of quality British made lighting and never weakened to offers to have my free-blown shades manufactured abroad using moulds. I wanted to keep the authenticity of my products using hand crafted materials such as wood, ceramic, and traditionally woven tassels – all to make each light completely unique and a one off.
Building a Team
Over the last twelve years, Esther, with the help of her husband,Paul, has slowly but surely built up a strong reliable and talented team. “There’s over ten of us now and I can’t believe how it’s all grown to be this amazing small creative business in this beautiful rural setting.”
A Sense of Place
The lush rolling hills of the Derbyshire Dales provide the perfect sense of place for Esther, whose passion for nature has inspired not only her range of products, but the kind of company she wants to lead.
“I was never going to be a city-girl, it was always the countryside for me. It keeps you grounded – reminds you of what’s important in life and I try to bring that balance everyday into work”.
Based in Wirksworth, a market town on the edge of the Peak District, Curiousa is very much a part of a creative community, with over 150 practicing artists and craftspeople who, like Esther, call it home.
“I was never going to be a city-girl, it was always the countryside for me. It keeps you grounded – reminds you of what’s important in life and I try to bring that balance everyday into work”.
Based in Wirksworth, a market town on the edge of the Peak District, Curiousa is very much a part of a creative community, with over 150 practicing artists and craftspeople who, like Esther, call it home.
Sustainability at Our Core
Esther’s love and respect for nature drives our whole approach, our every decision. We use only UK based suppliers, use over 50% recycled glass, 90% of our packaging is compostable or recyclable, the company car is a 100% EV and we only make products that last.
We even offer a repair and refurbish service so that you can refresh your favourite pieces for the next generation.
We even offer a repair and refurbish service so that you can refresh your favourite pieces for the next generation.
