Originally posted April 2017.

John has worked as a full time potter in the past, among other jobs. Now retired, John has returned to pottery, enjoying the freedom to pot as he wishes.

Where are you currently based?

We live on 60 acres near Warwick in South East Queensland. This is a great place for a potter interested in using local materials, as it is surrounded by several different geological regions — granite and china clays around Stanthorpe, volcanics around Main Range and sedimentary sandstones and clays near Warwick.

How did you get involved with Beautiful Table?

Stephanie was kind enough to ask me to include my work. It is great to be involved in a show that is all about using pots.

What is your relationship with the gallery?

MAKERS GALLERY provides me a venue to present my pots for critical review by those interested in ceramics, and pushes me to further improve my pots.

What materials did you use for this exhibition?

My pots are thrown on kick wheels, glazed using a single firing process. The glazes are applied at leather hard and are entirely from rock dusts, plant ashes, and clays collected locally. Pots are then fired for 18 to 20 hours in a 100 cubit ft wood fired kiln to cone ten flat. Some pots in this show are made from local clay bodies that I am developing, and I will slowly switch to making all my pots from these local clay bodies.

How has your background influenced your work in this exhibition?

Many of my pots have been fired on seashells or have marks from shells like spirula and tusk shells. My potter’s stamp is made with a seashell. Growing up on the coast and an early career as a biologist has given me a strong connection with the natural environment. Trying to reflect the aesthetics of the natural environment in my work is important to me. I now have the freedom to explore what using all local materials can add to my work.

What do you hope people will take away from this exhibition? 

As potters, we are involved in the art of making pots but, for functional pottery there is also the art involved in using these pots. Choosing which pots to best present food and drink for that special celebration. I hope buyers get this enjoyment from the pots.

Enter on the MAKERS GALLERY AUSTRALIA Instagram @MAKERSGALLERYAUSTRALIA. 

These are the Terms & conditions:

By participating, entrant agrees that MAKERS GALLERY is not liable for any damages or causes of action, losses, costs or expenses, with respect to or arising out of or related to participation in the giveaway or entrant’s acceptance of a prize and/or use or misuse of a prize, including, without limitation, any damage or personal injury caused to any person(s). 

This giveaway, hosted by MAKERS GALLERY, is open to anyone who clicks ‘Like’ on the giveaway post on Instagram, is following @makersgalleryaustralia on Instagram and tags 2 friends in the comments of the giveaway posts. The competition will commence Tuesday 15/09/2020 at 10:30am (AEST) and end Thursday 01/10/2020 10:30am (AEST). The winner will be selected 02/10/2020 by means of a random number generator. 

Entrant’s participation in the giveaway is considered their agreement that MAKERS GALLERY may contact them. Giveaway is open internationally, but entrants must consider that some international services may not be available at the current time due to government restrictions and other factors caused by COVID-19. 

Prize will be arranged after the winner has provided MAKERS GALLERY with a valid mailing address.

MAKERS GALLERY reserves the right to disclose winner’s name and identity on Instagram and Facebook. 

Prize is 1 x cup and 1 x Australian Ceramics Magazine. It is not transferrable and can’t be exchanged for money or money’s worth. 

By entering, each entrant completely agrees to these conditions which govern the giveaway and the awarding of the prize.

By Makers Gallery.

All suggested gifts can be delivered or collected (via contactless pick-up) in time for Sunday. We’ll gift wrap your order and include a copy of the Journal of Australian Ceramics at no extra cost. Free reading for Mother’s Day!

Simon Suckling Bowls

We have four of these gorgeous bowls made by Simon Suckling. Porcelain with hand-drawn decal and gold lustre edge.

Price: $40 each.

Where from? Makers Gallery, Clayfield. Contact Stephanie on 0417 886 185. Delivery or contactless pick-up can be arranged. Orders can be paid for over the phone.

Sweet Little Brooches

Brooches by Pru Morrison. A cute addition to your outfit and also a creative way to secure ribbon on a present. Get in contact for more designs. We may have Mum’s favourite colour!

Price: $15 each.

Currently living at: Makers Gallery, Clayfield.

For Her Favourite Sweets

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“Sweety bowls” by Liz Sofield. The perfect vessel for Mum’s favourite chocolates. Also serves as a lovely trinket tray…. great for displaying brooches… *wink*, see above.

Bowls are available in different shapes and sizes. Send a direct message for more info on sizing or peruse our online store.

Price: From $95.

Where from? Makers Gallery, Clayfield and also available to order through our online store.

The Journal Of Australian Ceramics

We have a special offer for Mother’s Day. Buy 1 magazine Get 1 back issue Free.

Price: $16.

Teapot By Creina Moore

A very special gift for a very special Mum. What’s her favourite varie-tea?

Price: $65.

Waiting for a home: At Makers Gallery.

For The Jewellery-lover

Each pair has a unique design.

Contact Stephanie on 0417 886 185 to order a pair or send a DM on Facebook or Instagram (@makersgalleryaustralia).

Postage is included for these.

Price: $50 a pair, including postage.

Mugs By John James

Price: $30 each.

Large And Super Special

Porcelain-dipped textile forms by Liz Sofield. Just incredible.

We did a profile on Liz in October. Read more about her work here.

Price: From $150.

Where from? The Makers Gallery online store. Needlework on paper also available.

Has something caught your eye? Send us a message on our social media or you can contact Stephanie on 0417 886 185.

Wishing you a happy, safe and healthy Mother’s Day xx

Blog post not sponsored. All gift ideas have been thought-up with love by the MAKERS GALLERY team.

By Makers Gallery.

We’ve put together a few suggestions for thoughtful gifts, made locally with love.

Lucy Hervey Earrings

Lucy Hervey Earrings are gorgeous little stocking stuffers and the perfect accessory for a Christmas Day outfit.

Price: $35

Where from? Makers Gallery, Clayfield. Contact Stephanie on 0417 886 185 to arrange a time. From next Monday (December 16), our Clayfield studio will become a one-stop-shop for Christmas gifts and stocking stuffers, mugs, jewellery, vases and bowls.

Bertonni Vases

Clean, minimalist vases which look lovely with or without flowers, on a bedside table, dining table or as a sculptural element in any environment.

Price: $175 for a white vase (18cm tall) or $350 for a trio (15cm, 18cm & 21cm tall).

Where from? At the Bertonni Christmas Pop-Up Shop Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th of December between 7am and 1pm at Black Sheep Specialty Coffee Roaster 109 Norman Street, Woolloongabba or contact Mike on 0431 243 078 or mike@bertonni.com.au.

Read about how Bertonni changes the lives of people in our community.

Ceramics To Make Your Own

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Delicious vessels for a loved one’s favourite choccies, nuts, dried fruits or biscuits, and the promise of a tea or coffee catch-up in the New Year.

Price: $40 – $45 each.

Where from? Makers Gallery.

A Special Something From Clayschool x Wandering Cooks

The work of over 60 exhibitors, all in one place. Clayschool is run by Ray Cavill, an exceptional Teacher and amazing Maker committed to creating a clay-centric community of Makers and supporters.

Where? You can find the Clayschool Summer 2019 x Wandering Cooks event at the corner of Fish Lane and Cordelia Street, South Brisbane between 1pm and 7pm this Saturday 14th of December.

More details on the Fish Lane website.

Cup & Saucer Set By Simon Suckling

A gift that lasts. Use it and cherish it every day for years.

Price: $80 for a cup and saucer set. Special price of $285 for all four.

Where from? Makers Gallery. Reserve via 0417 886 185 or outridgefield@bigpond.com.

A Significant, Large Work

By Jann Kesby, Owen Rye, Julian King-Salter, Steve Williams, Suvira McDonald, Sandy Lockwood, Ulrica Trulsson, Anna Markey, Liz Sofield, Grant Hodges, Isaac Patmore, Malcolm Greenwood, Geoff Crispin, Stewart Scambler, Lindsay Hamilton, Robert Linigen, Leonard Smith, Andrew Bryant, Kerry Holland and more.

If you want it, you can walk out the door hugging it. The show will be replenished and refreshed daily.

Where from? The Best at Last show, The Studio Space 139 Latrobe Terrace, Paddington. Opening event Friday 13th of December at 6pm.

Layby option available. We can also arrange for pieces from the Makers Gallery online store to be sent to the show for pick-up (contact Stephanie).

Thank you for your support this year.
Happy holidays!

Blog post not sponsored. All gift ideas are genuine and original and all events championed and loved by the MAKERS GALLERY team.

Maker: Liz Sofield

Grew up in: New Zealand

Currently in: Brisbane

Years of making: Crochet vessels – 1 and a half. Ceramics – 3 years. Hand stitching on paper – 5 years.

First passion: Textiles

Why? Surrounded by textiles as a child.

Studied: Textile Design

Her work: Traditional craft techniques used in a contemporary way. 

Why clay? “It was something that interested me but I never took it any further until a chance conversation with a friend who wanted to do pottery classes. I joined her and really enjoyed playing and I wanted to marry my two passions together” – Liz

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Why MAKERS GALLERY? “Stephanie is an artist herself and has the sensibility and understanding of what being an artist is. Her knowledge and experience as a curator is invaluable” – Liz

The feeling of the show: A sense of calmness and stillness, even with the black works. Strong but gentle. 

Rhythmia is about the rhythms of Liz, the rhythmical act of making and the rhythmical nature of Liz’s work.

Opening night is Friday 25th October 2019 at The Studio, Paddington (139 Latrobe Terrace, Brisbane). The show is open Saturday and Sunday 26th and 27th October from 10am until 4pm at The Studio, Paddington, and thereafter at MAKERS GALLERY, Clayfield.

There are also workshops being presented as part of the show. Select Rhythmia Workshops on the MAKERS GALLERY store.