A FORMER dental nurse is swapping teeth for pottery after taking the plunge to fulfil her ambition of running her own business.

Mum Carrie Dempsey, who for 11 years worked at a dental practise in Bracknell, opened Little L’s ceramics in Toothill Village Centre two weeks ago. But it was wasn’t without conquering her nerves of being her own boss first.

However the 35-year-old has been pleasantly surprised by the reaction of people walking through the door of the pottery shop and cafe wanting to paint anything from egg cups to flower pots.

“It was quite scary because you hope everyone likes it and you get returning customers,” she said.

“I took some time off to have my daughter, who is now four, and I just wanted to get back into work.

“I love painting pottery, and where I used to live I used to go to a place and do it all the time. So I thought it would be something new and exciting for the West Swindon area.”

So far a unicorn statue has been proving popular with youngsters and Carrie, who also worked as a receptionist for her husband Allan’s garage, is looking forward to having the room full of youngsters coming in to paint gifts for Father’s Day.

Carrie and her father-in-law Jim Dempsey spent a few weeks renovating the shop, which is also available for pottery parties.

There is a poignant meaning behind the name of Carrie’s shop too.

She said: “It’s named after my mum Lesley who sadly passed away a couple of years ago. She was 56 and had cancer. Her nickname was Little L. My dad used to call her it and he was Big J. I think she would be really proud to see I’ve got my own business.

“Little L’s caters for everyone, not just children, but grandparents too. It is a really homely room and there is 35 choices of pottery to paint. People choose their piece and then I glaze and fire it in the kiln, which takes about a week.

“The reaction has been really positive and we want to get the word out that we are here. People don’t have to come to paint pottery, they can come in for a drink or a snack too.

“We also do foot and hand prints and paw prints by appointment or it is available to take away and do at home."

And she added: “There is lots to look forward to. I am really looking forward to Father’s Day and the Christmas stock that will come in. We will have anything from baubles.”

For more information contact Carrie at the Little L’s on 01793 480443 or visit the premises at Unit 2, Toothill Village Centre, SN5 8DH.