I'm back in the studio and starting off the year with a LOVE gift!
20% off everything with the code LOVEBIRDS24...hurry offer ends 12pm on Valentines Day (14 Feb 2024)
Apply code at checkout. If you are not in Sydney, Australia, you will need to use World Clock to calculate the time difference so you don't miss out. Enjoy
My last Shop update for 2023 (where did this year go!) will be live on Sunday 19 November at 9.30am (Sydney, Australia time) World clock is very handy for working out what that equates to in your country. Check out the preview via the button below.
For those of you in Sydney, Sunday 12th November... come and visit our little laneway market. Great chance to get to know the work our talented tribe and snag some treasures for the gift giving season. This year shop local and handmade and help creative people keep creating!
Hope to see you there!
So excited to be a finalist in The National Still Life Award 2023 currently showing at the brand spanking new Yarrila Arts and Museum on Gumbaynggirr Country/Coffs Harbour.
‘The award that pushes the boundaries of the still life genre’, 1100 entries were submitted with only 63 finalists chosen.
A Little Life – In this collection of painted ceramic plates, I am exploring everyday objects and moments, on objects we use every day. This work of 10 pieces was inspired by an extended period of time spent at home during cancer treatment. No visitors due to Covid, my world was further reduced. There is so much solace and beauty in the objects that surround us. These are plates but they are also windows into life.
I'm super excited to be taking part in Sydney Ceramics Market next weekend and have been making, making, making. For those of you in Sydney, Saturday 7th October... come and say hi. It's only $5 entry fee and you will be treated to more than 90 ceramicists in one place. Check out my instagram @vbean and @sydneyceramicsmarket for updates. I'll be adding pictures to my stories showing all the available pieces right up till opening.
Hope to see you there!
I'll be taking most of the pieces listed in my online shop so if there's anything you would like, please purchase by 4th October. For those of you unable to attend, I will be listing the remaining pieces and making more work in time for Christmas (can't believe it's almost that time again, this year has whooshed by)
Excited to add new things to my shop on Sunday 21 May at 9.30am – Sydney Australia time. View the preview via the button below.
It's been a while... but here they are! New Vase Peeps and Bowl Peep Sets landing in my shop on Sunday morning 16 October at 9.30am – Sydney Australia time. View the preview via the button below.
Spring has arrived for those of us in the southern hemisphere, a time for growth and renewal – so very relevant for my latest work – new forms, surfaces and glazes. I am coming back to health after cancer treatment and experimenting and exploring has re energised me. There's something about the process of joining, smoothing and shaping clay that is so cathartic. These works will be available online on Sunday morning, 18 September at 9.30am – Sydney Australia time. View the preview via the button below.
“The use of the hands is a powerful medicine...the cure for many ills is to make something ”
It's June already! – before I wing my way overseas for an old friend's wedding (postponed twice, thanks to Covid), I'm squeezing in a shop update. New Peep Lights, Birdy Juglets, Jumbo Planters and a few Fairybread Tumblers. These will be available online on Sunday morning, 5 June at 9.30am – Sydney Australia time. View the preview via the button below.
Over the years I have kept back some pieces...the ones I couldn't let go of or didn't feel ready to...but it's time to clear some space for new work. These will be available tomorrow morning (Monday 25 April) at 9.30am – Sydney Australia time.
A happy chappy little word which I couldn't do without. These works commemorate and celebrate the end of my (seemingly endless) cancer treatment...a yay moment if ever there was one. They have eased me back into making, a slow process but a good distraction from recovery. I have chosen to make artworks rather than functional plates as these labours of love need to be always present, reminding us of things worth celebrating.
Excited to be showing my work with 8 talented artists: 29 April – 8 May, Block J Studio – 1605 Botany Rd, Botany. Join us for opening drinks Thursday 29 April 6-8pm. Gallery open daily 10-3.
For this exhibition I wanted to explore new handbuilt forms in stoneware and porcelain, imbued with a hint of the human, animal, vegetable. Hybrids of animate and inanimate, these pieces combine my love of graphic patterning, colour, personality and modern materials. It no longer matters if the vessels are functional or not...
stoneware and porcelain clay bodies, handpainted underglaze, glaze, neon rubber wire
I’ve been busy preparing for a group exhibition (more info to come) a shop update and a ceramics market so apologies for the delay. It is a slightly reduced bunch of friends this month (they had to fight for their places in the kiln) with the new kids on the block: Fledgling Peep Lights taking centre stage. Can’t seem to get off the birdy train. These guys, while small are detailed in their process of coming to life and will bring joy again and again just by renewing their tea lights or adding some lovely buds. Joining them this month are new Birdy Vases, Wall Birds and Vase Peeps.
Landing in my online shop this Sunday 18 April at 9.30am (Sydney Australia) Be there or be….
A word on shipping... expect covid delays. Thanks for your understanding and support!
Introducing first time petal plates in both wall hanging and table sitting varieties, different sizes and shapes, all overlaid with a matt white glaze. The beauty of this glaze is that it quietens the bright colours and fires unpredictably, sometimes leaving lovely crystalline patches and surprising in different ways each time it is used, making each one truly unique. These plates make me happy! Oh and there's a few of the old favourite birdy juglets, burst dishes, peep lights and bloom tumblers as well this month.
Landing in my online shop this Sunday 28 February at 9.30am (Sydney Australia) Be there or be….
A word on shipping... expect covid delays. Thanks for your understanding and support!
Still bird crazy....so for this mini shop update (I wasn't sure I would get these done in time) I have made a few new Wall Birdies in little and tall and the very popular Birdy Vases are back! This last shop update for 2020 will be live on Sunday 29 November 2020 at 9.30am (Sydney Australia). Be there or be….
Shipping (one of the most used words this year)... Expect Covid shipping delays especially at this time of year. Overseas shoppers, these aren't likely to make it to you in time for Christmas but there's always delayed gratification and a happy making it to the end of 2020 reward. Thanks for your understanding and support!
I’m taking part in this inaugural market along with 30+ potters…should be fun! If you are in Sydney on Sunday 22 November, come and have a look: 10am-4pm. 1605 Botany Road, Botany. I will have lots of firsts, seconds and samples…bargains. This gift giving season shop small, shop local.
I’ve packed this shop update with plenty of options for gift giving and am hoping (fingers crossed) for timely overseas and domestic Christmas arrivals. So, these goodies go live on Sunday 8 November 2020 at 9.30am (Sydney Australia). Be there or be….
A word on shipping... Covid delays especially at this time of year make it super hard to guarantee pre Christmas arrivals which is why I am getting in early. Sadly no promises but fingers crossed. Thanks for your understanding and support!
So grateful and excited to be part of Bondi Wash supporting artists…which means from 25 September till 10 October, I get to take over their Bondi and Paddington store windows. My Wallflower Vases, slipcast in white stoneware from organic hand made shapes and handpainted with navy underglaze, feature some of the beautiful Australian botanicals used in Bondi Wash products. Designed to hang on a wall in clusters or on their own, they come in three sizes: small, wide & tall. The neon rubber/wire hanger adds a pop of colour to the traditional blue of the botanical decoration. The vases are available for purchase directly from these 2 Bondi Wash stores and whatever’s left will be added to my online store after 10 October. If you don’t know Bondi Wash, check out their stuff…I am a huge fan of this great Aussie brand, which is exported all over the world. https://bondiwash.com.au/
Here’s what’s new this spring month of August:
Under My Wing cup and spoon sets are new to the collection... these two nurture each other...they're also fine on their own but prefer to be together...friends. Perfect for a dessert or a frothy warm drink when you need a spoon nearby to scoop up the deliciousness on the top.
Birdy Vases are back! Slipcast with hand built add ons, these birdies are packed with character. Three coats of underglaze are applied so that the colours are solid and intense and the spot glaze is painted on as if it were an added colour, to highlight the contrast between matt and gloss. Much time is spent on the making, decorating and finishing of these vases. It's functionality only adds to its value as an original ceramic object. (a limit of one birdy vase per person please)
You asked for yellow Corona Carers...and pink and white are back in stock (again due to limited numbers, no more than 2 Corona Carers per person)
Plus more Peep Lights, Birdy Juglets and small Vase Peeps
A word on shipping... It will come as no surprise that international shipping is taking longer than usual with fewer flights departing (for example, parcels to the US and Canada are taking 3-4 weeks) so please bear that in mind when ordering. Thanks for your support!
Be there or....
The listings will be live on Sunday morning 30 August at 9.30am (Sydney, Australia) Please check out World Clock for what that equates to in your part of the world. I know this time may be problematic for some people but I have to go with the best for multiple zones.
Be well and Enjoy
