My Story

I was encouraged not to learn about myself or the world around me when I was young. When I left home, I was an adult who was really a child. I had to learn about myself and the world around me in my twenties and it took me longer than most to find meaningful, personal direction. I lacked the confidence to see myself as a creative person, so instead I studied Psychology, which was a depleting choice. After a number of years of distress with work in the welfare sector, my mental health declined. Concurrently, the housing crisis in Melbourne made it increasingly difficult to find stable accommodation and my mental health continued to decline sharply, leading to pervasive feelings of alienation and unsafety.

I stumbled upon ceramics when I was doing some locum work at a Mental Health Day program in Moonie Ponds, somewhere in the 90’s. I seemed to have a knack for engaging participants in art activities, they spontaneously started coming in with drawings of their life experiences. I decided we should make a big clay mural where they could make clay paintings of anything they would want to have in their ideal world. I had no idea how to work with clay so I used to drive to Northcote Pottery and get basic step by step instructions and supplies before each class so I could stay one step ahead of the participants! I was completely hooked on the medium, quit my job in a great big ostentatious flood of tears and went to tafe to learn about clay!

Making things out of clay brought me groundedness, facination and joy. I rediscovered the freedom, excitement and pure happiness I lost during my childhood. In my late twenties, I learned how to play, have fun and create just for the sake of playing, having fun and creating.

Zen Buddhism and the philosophy of Wabi Sabi helped me to make sense of my experiences and forgive myself for being, as I saw it, so deeply flawed. Wabi Sabi is a Japanese aesthetic and philosophical concept that celebrates the beauty of imperfection, impermanence and simplicity. It places value on the natural, aging and weathered quality of objects and embraces the idea that nothing is ever truly permanent or perfect. Wabi Sabi has deep roots in Zen Buddhism, emphasising mindfulness and acceptance of the present moment. The Wabi Sabi way aligns with sustainable practices by favouring items which age gracefully, reducing the need for constant consumption and disposal. It reminds me to live harmoniously and respectfully with the natural world. It’s focus on minimalism and unadorned beauty supports me in my search for a simpler and more meaningful existence.

I built my first house in Clunes in 2016 which was a deeply grounding and empowering experience for me. I had a part time job at a gaudy commercial art gallery in Daylesford for a few years and managed to save up for my first kiln! I developed an interest in working with local wild clays and went on field trips with my maremma Cece to find clays, kaolin and sand to work with in the little studio I set up in my front room. I spent a few years doing art markets, mostly in Melbourne selling my pots.

I was inspired by some of the textile artists I met on the art market circuit and felt an overriding urge to be one too! So this past summer, I ordered a cheap, beginner sewing machine from Spotlight and taught myself how to sew. I love the process so much that I decided to expand my small creative business to include hand stitched, linen garments!

Contemporary, minimal, timeless treasures to wear, personalise your home, engage the senses and invest the ordinary moments in your day with belonging. That’s what I have to offer and I hope you love my handmade treasures as much as I loved making them for you!