The celebration of our 'Made By Me' campaign continues, this week with a focus on one of our Hand-Building Teachers, Sophie. Part-Time Teacher, Full-Time Student and Permanent Ceramics Lover, Sophie shares a snippet of her story including how discovering the art of pottery helped her rediscover herself and reignite her creativity.
Q: Can you share with us a little about your journey with pottery and where you are on that journey today?
A: My pottery journey began in 2020, I wasn’t working and I had put a hold on my studies at this point because I was feeling so lost. I was looking for something to ignite my creativity again, and an ad for a pottery class popped up on my Instagram. I had always wanted to try pottery but had never gotten the chance... So I signed up and from my first class I was hooked! I started with a Beginners Hand Building Course, then an Advanced Course and I couldn’t get enough. I wanted to learn as much as I could about ceramics so I began to intern. This gave me opportunities to learn more about the kilns, glazing, and different ceramic techniques.
As the year came to a close, I was approached to teach my first Hand Building Course. I felt so nervous, but all the nerves turned into a deep love and joy for my students, what they were creating and the ceramic process. From signing up to my first class, to becoming a pottery teacher I feel like I have found myself again and have a purpose that is creating a space where people can come from all walks of life and for a few hours can immerse themselves in art, reignite their kid like wonder and take the time to do something for themselves.
Today, I feel as if I have only scraped the surface of the ceramic world and all it has to offer. I can honestly say that I love my job, I love teaching and sharing what I know. However, I also feel like I will be forever learning new things, experimenting with new techniques and my work will be always evolving as I move through the different seasons of life. In the future, I would love to study ceramics and have always wanted to do an artist's residence overseas!
Q: Do you sell your work / where can we see it?
A: I have sold some work in the past, but I at the moment I have limited time to create as I am studying and also work as an assistant teacher. However, at the moment I am exploring shapes and styles that align with who I am as a person and artist in order to create work that I am proud to sell. I am planning to have a collection of pieces to sell this year!
You can find me @sundance.ceramics
Q: If you could learn / expand on one skill what would it be?
A: One skill I would love to learn is Wheel Throwing because I fell in love with Hand-Building first and I was always very intimidated by the wheel so I never gave myself the chance to learn how to throw. I often watch the Wheel Throwing teachers, members (and potters on instagram) and am completely mesmerised by their ability to control and manipulate the clay to create beautiful and refined pieces!
Q: How has pottery impacted your life and your self-confidence?
A: Pottery has provided me with a creative outlet that I was lacking once I graduated school. Like I said, I felt really lost and unsure of who I was and discovering pottery helped me to regain my creativity and build my confidence back. Pottery has allowed me to express myself through art and provided me access to an amazing community that is welcoming, supportive and rich with inspiration.
Q: How long have you been teaching Hand-Building and how long have you been at Stone Studio?
A: I have been teaching Hand-Building for almost 2 years now. I have been a teacher at Stone Studio for just over a year now, and I have loved every minute of it!
Head over to @stonestudioandco to find out how you could WIN!
