Projects

This is where I share projects that I am currently working on or have completed. I want to share the good, the bad and the ugly - what went right, what went wrong and the types of clay and glazes used. It will be close to a chronological order of my journey to learn all things clay.

I was introduced to the wonders of pottery by Andrea Hall (no relation), in February this year. Andrea has her own studio and creates amazing work well worth checking out. Guided and encouraged by Andrea, this pinch plate is the first piece of pottery that I ever made.

Glaze is 3 x brushed on Native Iris from Northcote Pottery. 'S' crack is from me.

Inspired to learn more, I was lucky enough to discover Klei Studio right here in Stratford. Kylie is the founder and instructor of Klei Studio. After attending a beginners throwing course in March 2025 with the experienced and patient Kylie, I was hooked. My goal is to eventually be able to make a reasonable teapot. Klei Studio is a super friendly and encouraging place to learn about all things pottery - 5 stars.

This cup was thrown on a wheel and was meant to be round, but I made the lip too thin and decided to make it a square cup instead. Not sure of the glazes - time to start a journal.

I bought myself a pottery wheel and after many hours of practice and even more hours watching YouTube I eventually made enough to fill a kiln. I learned a lot from the many failures while making this lot.

I can't afford a kiln at this stage, but thankfully my very encouraging and supportive friend Andrea came to the rescue.

I can't remember what glazes or clay types - a journal would help.

After more practice and more YouTube I've got enough to fill another kiln. Again not my kiln but another very generous friend Meg just happens to have one.

I've decided to make a check list from 1 - 100, and when I complete 100 pieces then I think I can justify buying a kiln - maybe? I've started a journal and I'm numbering each piece to avoid confusion. I'm already up to 27.

(Not including the 25 failures returned to the recycle tub).

My first tea pot thrown on a wheel. Handles are tricky so it was back to YouTube. I glazed this with Billabong from Fired Up Kilns. Billabong has become one of my favourite glazes but I really like the unglazed version.

I made these cups after I casually wedged a few bits of left over clay types together and accidently discovered marbling. It was all just one browny colour on the wheel until I started trimming, then the magic happened.

Bottom right after bisque firing and top right has 3 x brushed on Amaco Light Blue with base unglazed.

I followed this up with a marbling course with Cindy Tong at The Gippsland Art Gallery in Sale. Cindy is an outstanding role model for any aspiring potter and her ceramics are amazing. Definitely check them out.

I finally have my own kiln and it didn't cost me thousands of dollars. Once again a huge thank you to my very generous friend Meg who gave me a 320 cm Tetlow kiln in need of some repair. $1100 later and it's ready to go.

I'm keeping it simple and only have two programs so far - one for bisque firing and one for glazing. Now the fun really begins!

What a difference having a kiln makes. It's now the start of October. I've completed 157 pieces, and this playing with mud just gets better and better. Starting to get a bit experimental with form.

I need a bigger kiln! Maybe when I get to 1000 pieces?

I realized that I haven't taken many photos of the 'bad', of which there have been many.

I have however, learned from the failures. The most important lesson is that an inconvenient personal attribute of mine is a lack of patience. This has been the cause of many disasters. For example: Short changing the wedging and mischievous air bubbles can create havoc when thrown on the wheel and/or in the kiln. Not giving green ware enough time to dry on the shelf before firing can blow the bottom off a large thick pot. Pulling up the walls too quickly can create thin walls and a pot that looks more like a blob fish. Opening a kiln too early can cause an otherwise very nice 'chip & dip' bowl to crack - a lot! Removing ridiculously narrow tea pot spouts from support too soon is never going to end well.

Message to me - 'Be Patient'

I was lucky enough to attend a Minna Graham workshop at Klei Studio in Stratford. Mina was such an encouraging and skilful instructor I couldn't wait to get home to have a go at using sodium silicate to achieve a crackle effect.

Minna is obviously an experienced artist but when I checked out her website I couldn't believe the amazing variety of such stunning and interesting pieces. I'm definitely a big fan and I can't wait to start buying some of them.

Is this last one too much crackle??

I went to a Cindy Tong Exhibition: 2025 Carving into Clay, Bond Street Events Centre in Sale. I was inspired by Cindy's amazing work to try some 'sgraffito' which as I understand it, involves scratching through a surface to reveal a lower layer of a contrasting colour.

My effort involved throwing a midfire porcelain clay pot then coating it with a granite slip. I waited until it was leather hard before carving. Then a bisque firing and a clear matt glaze.

If you want to see some really awesome sgraffito then check out Cindy's web site.

Next up = trying some wild clay from my dam