573° by Georgie Moyes and Claire Lehmann
Graduate Exhibition
November 17–19

Please come help us celebrate the launch of Georgie and Claire's exhibition at a special preview on Thursday November 17 from 5–8pm!

We are so excited to be showing Georgie and Claire's new works this month in our workroom.

Georgie Moyes is a Melbourne-based ceramicist, utilising hand-building techniques and the wheel to make pieces inspired by the natural world. Harmony and balance are at the forefront of her work as she makes larger pieces which challenge ideas of function and purpose.

We are so excited to be showing Georgie’s work in a joint exhibition with Claire Lehmann entitled 573° this month at Guild of Objects from November 17–19.

Please come help us celebrate the launch of Georgie and Claire’s exhibition at a special preview on Thursday November 17 from 5–8pm.

Can you please tell us a little about yourself and your craft?

I live in Coburg, which isn’t too far from my studio in North Melbourne where I practise ceramics. I feel lucky to say that I spent my earlier years growing up in Warrandyte on a large property with farmland and creeks nearby. I always spent a lot of time outdoors in the garden searching for blue tongues and absorbing as much of my mum’s knowledge about plants as I could! After finishing high school, I started studying psychology but realised it wasn’t for me and decided to take some time out to travel. When I came back I did some short courses in dressmaking and sewing, and I then started taking ceramics classes at Carlton Arts Centre and my interest in clay just kept evolving. Now I am finishing my Diploma of Ceramics at Holmesglen Tafe.  

When and how did you first get interested in ceramics? 

I guess it’s really been embedded in me and something I’ve appreciated for a long time. My mum and my uncle have such an eye for one-off pieces and beautiful antiques. When I visit my mum’s house now, I spend ages looking through all of her knick knacks and the precious things she’s collected over the years – a lot of which are ceramics! My uncle has always given me the most incredible gifts. Everything has always felt like a treasure from another land! So I’ve always had a great appreciation for ceramics and handmade things. My gran also used to make ceramics at Potters Cottage in Warrandyte and she still has a number of the beautiful pieces she made with glazes she formulated herself. So naturally my mother enrolled me in weekend ceramic classes around the age of 11.

Can you describe the early days of setting up your business?

I initially started taking throwing classes at Carlton Arts Centre. I loved these classes, because I was just happy to be making something with my hands. I wasn’t doing it for an outcome, it was just to play and be immersed in something new. Though I soon realised ceramics can’t just be a casual affair, it demands attention and perseverance. I became obsessed with the process, and how much you really have to nurture your work if you want it to make it. It was all a lesson in patience and practising non-attachment. I was going 3-4 times a week, but I wanted more. I needed to know more about hand-building and glazes, which lead me look into Holmesglen. At the moment I’m trying less to focus on the outcome – whether a piece will be functional, where I imagine it to be placed or how it fits into the world, and instead to just feel it out and be open to things changing along the way. Since the start of the year, I’ve been lucky enough to gain a studio space with other potters and shared equipment, which has been amazing! It’s so good to be surrounded by people who are using the same medium but in so many varied ways.

What does a typical day look like for you? 

At the moment I can’t go a day without yoga, and I can’t go a day without time in my garden. These two things are crucial to my productivity and joy. Usually I’m up and in the garden by 8am and at the studio by 10am – coffee in hand and listening to PBS Radio. I’ll usually sit around on Instagram for a while and then go over what I did the day before, and plan what to do for the day. I’m currently building a lot of larger vessels. Usually around 3pm, Claire (my studio wife) and I have a brie and cheddar break, then we’ll get a second wind for a few more hours or it’s time to head home. After a day at the studio I head to yoga, and then it’s home to slay all the snails and slugs in the veggie garden.

Where/what do you draw inspiration from?

Mainly island life, tropical living, tropical plants, tropical animals, tropical beauties, tropical feelings. My happiness is heavily synced with how much time I spend around nature, so I draw a lot of inspiration from the natural world and living within our means alongside nature. I love to look back in time at how ancient cultures used ceramics in ritual and offerings.

The value and worth placed upon objects and belongings inspires me to make. I love how simple things like a stone or seed can resonate with me so much, so I try to make things with this in mind, that everything is special. But there are a number of artists who really inspire me – Maria Gazzard is one with her beautiful forms, as well as paintings by Paul Gauguin. Also the ceramic works of Salvatore Fiume – so dreamy! And the forms of Ancient Grecian urns and all the treasures from the Aegean Sea.

If you could do anything tomorrow what would you do?

As disgusting as it sounds, I’d probably elope to an island in the Caribbean with my boyfriend. 

If you could teach your kids one thing, what would it be?

How to grow food!

What are you reading at the moment?

Island by Aldous Huxley, and my god it’s good!

If we rummaged through your grocery bag, what would we find?

Bonsoy, Derry-O organic brie, liquorice, sweet potato (ALWAYS), tahini, dates and vermicelli.

Can you tell us the first thing that pops into your mind when we mention the word …

Breakfast: coffeeee!
Weekends: garden
People: rather not
Pause: breathe
Sound: rain
Smell: rice
Place: bed
Texture: sand
Ritual: ceramic
Colour: green  

What’s one thing you can’t live without at the moment? 

Yoga.

What are your words of wisdom?

Trust that every little thing that happens (good or bad) is leading you to where you want to be. 

Find Georgie on Instagram.

We're proud to be a Craft Cubed Partner this year, celebrating Australia's biggest festival of the handmade presented by Craft. As we pretty much live and breathe handmade and local, we are packing in the Craft Cubed fun at Guild for the full month of August with workshops and events.

It all kicks off with our Afternoon Tea this Saturday with cakes from our favourite Beatrix *afternoon tea is now sold out  - don't be sad, book a class instead. 

Each Thursday night in August we have four weeks of exclusive workshops with some of our favourite clay makers - Leah Jackson, Robyn Phelan, Jessilla Rogers and Chela Edmunds from Takeawei.

In the fun and relaxed environment of our workroom learn a variety of new clay hand-building techniques from these skilled potters. Each class is suitable for beginners and beyond.

See below for workshop descriptions and a little heads up on each artist's favourite flavours for afternoon tea. Strictly limited to 10 places per class-book here. 

Thursday 11 August - Sgraffito Plate Making with Chela Edmunds from Takeawei

Chela Edmunds will take you through the process of hand-building slab plates and the decorative technique of Sgraffito. Read more >>

Chela's favourite afternoon tea: Salted Caramel Slice from Beatrix with Three Ginger Tea.

Thursday 18 August - Pinched Sculpture with Robyn Phelan

In this workshop you will be instructed by Robyn Phelan on the subtle art of decisive clay pinching. Make a tree which you can have fired and take home. Read more >>

Robyn's favourite afternoon tea: Vanilla Slice with passionfruit icing from Beatrix and a pot of Rooibos tea brewed strong with milk.

Thursday 25 August - Clay and Colour with Jessilla Rogers

Jessilla will show you how to make your own fun, colourful ceramic objects in terracotta clay then decorate them in brightly coloured slips. Read more >>

Jessilla's favourite afternoon tea: Banana Lamington from Beatrix with Jasmine Tea

Thursday 4 August - Combinations Handbuilding Techniques with Leah Jackson

* This class was sold out, due to popular demand we have added another workshop with Leah Jackson for Saturday August 27

Expand your knowledge of handbuilding techniques with Leah Jackson, focussed on creating lasting joins in multi part pieces that will survive the drying and firing process. Read more >>

Leah's favourite afternoon tea: Moroccan Snickers Tart from Beatrix with Genmaicha green tea.

Thanks so much to everyone who came along to the opening evening of Masks by Kim Russell last Thursday! The exhibition is running until this Saturday July 30 – make sure to pop down between 10am to 4pm to have look. 

Read our interview with Kim here and shop her pieces on the Guild shop. 

We’ve been big fans of Kim Russell’s work for a long time. Brooke and Chela shared a studio with Kim many moons ago. We enjoyed sharing a space with such an intuitive and whimsical creative soul - truly an artist who dances to her own beat. Kim began her creative practice making small, limited-editions of jewellery, but has since moved on to clay, making one-of-a-kind sculptures which ooze personality, movement and spirituality.

We are so excited to be showing Kim's exhibition of new works entitled 'Masks' this month at Guild of Objects from 22-30 July 2016.

Please come help us celebrate the launch of Kim's exhibition at a special preview on Thursday 21 July from 5pm - 8pm.

We recently interviewed Kim about her work , her practice and her perspective on life and creativity.

Can you please tell us a little about yourself and your craft?

I designed and made jewellery which I loved but I'm influenced by materials so working in a studio with ceramicists led me to creating with clay.  I make small sculptures and feel like I'm on my own little exploration of surrendering and letting it unfold.  I'd love to make large sculptures one day but have no idea how to go about that so for now it's fun playing with form and shapes on a small scale.  My craft goes hand in hand with many of my spiritual practices.  I love the spontaneity and immediacy of clay.

Do you have design philosophies that guide your practice? 

Get out of my head and into my body and let the creativity flow.

What does your studio look like? 

I have an alter with candles, rocks, crystals, palo santo and other trinkets, but besides that it's pretty bare. I don't like too much visual stimulation when I'm making.  Being surrounded by trees is all I need.

Where do you draw inspiration from?

From stimulating conversations...

The other day I was walking through the forest and came across a guy watching a lyre bird.  We started chatting.  He composed music and I said I made sculptures.  We spoke about nature, creativity and the ways of the Universe then thanked each other and continued in our opposite directions, both knowing that we had crossed paths for that moment to creatively inspire one another.  I live for those synchronisations.

What does your perfect day feel like?

It doesn't matter what order but it would include.....meditation/dancing/yoga/walk in nature/eating healthy meals/snacking on sweet treats/cups of tea/connecting with friends/making lots of sculptures while contemplating life's mysteries.

Who's work do you admire?

It changes all the time but at the moment it's Jean Miro and John Byrne.  Oh, and Bjork and Patti Smith, they are constant inspirations.

If you could do anything tomorrow what would you do?

Fly to the magical lands of Peru.

If you could teach your kids one thing, what would it be? 

I would probably want to nurture their curious and free nature and hope they would never lose it.

What are you reading at the moment?

Mysteries of the dark moon by Demeter George

If we rummaged through your grocery bag, what would we find?

Vegetables, chocolate, tea, nuts, Danish sweets.

Can you tell us the first thing that pops into your mind when we mention the word …

Breakfast...yum                 

Weekends...relaxing

People...mix bag

Pause...keyboard

Sound...healing

Smell...nature

Place...travel

Texture...tactile

Ritual...necessity

Color...black

What’s one thing you can’t live without at the moment?

Living in the forest

What are your words of wisdom?

Tap into your own unique gifts and don't follow the crowd.  It doesn't matter if your work isn't always popular.  Evolution and growth of your own practice feeds your soul.

Exhibition Open Hours:

Find Kim on Instagram, her website, and the Guild shop. 

Everyday should be Mother's Day but this Sunday 8th of March is the one you can't miss. We have so many wonderful new pieces in store from Australian designer/ makers that your Mum will love. Here are a few gift ideas to help you find that special something.

Clockwise from left: Variety Hour Scarf, Potheads Necklace, Melanie Rice Hoops, Brooke Thorn Bowl, JAH JAH JAH Cup, Wild Lumploaf by Min Pin - Helio Press (Mums with little ones will love this new publication its the cutest! ), Jessilla Rogers Cup, Nomad Object Co. Plate

We are excited to announce Guild have teamed up with FLŌS Botanical Studio to bring you weekly wild posies for just $25. Each week you will have the option to purchase instore or pre order online to make sure you don't miss out! New in store, posies by FLŌS Botanical Studio, planters and vases by Pot Heads

Shop Vases pictured here vases by Brooke Thorn and Lemons

Shop Jewellery pictured here jewel boxes by Takeawei, jewellery by Melanie Rice, Two Hills, Kim Russell and Pot Heads

Shop our beautiful selection of handmade 'no nasties' soaps and ceramics dishes

Vases by Lemons and Alison Frith

Photos by Linsey Rendell

We recently had Mr Fancy Plants transform our workshop space into a veritable jungle and we had a launch evening to celebrate! Thanks so much to everyone who came along to the pop-up shop – here are some piccies of your faces. 

Photos by Linsey Rendell

Naomi Savio and Dana Cooke are the creative couple behind new venture Mr Fancy Plants. Combining their backgrounds in visual merchandising and industrial design, and a love of all things leafy and green, they began to grow (literally) the idea for this side project. Now their weekends are filled with designing and producing planters and propagating and tending to greenery for indoor and outdoor spaces.

We chat to Naomi ahead of our first pop-up shop-within-a-shop! Mr Fancy Plants will be taking over our workshop/exhibition space during April 15–17, with a launch event on the evening of Thursday April 14 from 5–8pm and a free workshop on Sunday 17th April 2 - 2:30pm (reserve your spot here).

Can you please tell us a little about yourself and your craft?

I’ve always had an interest in art, design and nature. Most of my childhood was spent wandering around our six-acre bush property in outer Eastern Melbourne. I moved to the city after high school, and studied Visual Communication at RMIT followed by Visual Merchandising at RMIT, and have worked in retail design ever since.

The other half of Mr Fancy Plants is my partner Dana – he is originally from the US and moved to Australia when he was 16. His background is in industrial design and works as a toy designer.

We’re really lucky in that we both love our day jobs, to the extent that it creeps into our hobbies and side projects too. Mr Fancy Plants is the result of that – a combination of horticulture, product design, and visual merchandising.

When and how did you first get interested in plants?

I come from the ultimate ‘green family’ – my dad is a horticulturist and my mum is a landscape architect. While growing up, dad ran a wholesale plant nursery specialising in rare and unusual house plants. He bred, propagated and introduced some well-known plants to the Australian market from the early 1980s until 2003, such as the beloved Chain of Hearts, String of Pearls, Hoyas, Zygo-cactus (which included one named after each member of our family!) and 'Fairy Lights'. I often assisted with plant propagation and the selling of plants at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show from an early age so I guess plants have become second nature to me!

Can you describe the early days of setting up your business?

Dana and I had been discussing doing a side project together for a while. We wanted to find more constructive ways to spend our weekends besides watching TV series and finding the next best breakfast café! We thought it would be fun to do a micro version of dad’s nursery business model, and Dana was just looking for an excuse to buy a 3D printer, so we decided to grow plants and create some limited-edition planters for them as we couldn’t find any interesting pots to buy.

What does a typical day look like for you?

On a typical weekend, we usually wake up early, have a quick breakfast and get a coffee at our favorite local cafe. Then it’s off to the nursery to water and care for all our little green babies (translation: plants). We’ll usually pack a lunch and eat there. After hours of propagating, potting, pruning, weeding, and fertilising, its back to the house for a cat nap. Our evenings are usually spent on designing and setting up the pots to print overnight – our 3D printer is constantly humming away!

What do you draw inspiration from?

Besides nature and being surrounded by greenery, one of my biggest inspirations is my grandmother (who just turned 99!). She has an amazing eye for colour, texture and materials and I’m constantly referencing the art works she collected both here and overseas. She definitely helped me to form my creative sensibilities, and still inspires me today.

Dana brings a totally different set of influences to our work – he is a bona fide pop culture geek, growing up on comic books, Japanese monster movies, and 80s cartoon shows. It’s no accident that some of our pots end up looking like little creatures. He also moved around growing up, so travel and experiencing new cultures is something that inspires him quite a lot.

What are your top tips for keeping indoor plants healthy and happy?

All plants have different needs, but the single best thing you can do for any plant is get to know it. By that I mean, observe the plant and note when it’s looking healthy, and notice when it looks less happy; signs of ‘unhappiness’ might include drooping, poor colour and dry leaves. Once you notice any issues, you can alter the amount of light, air-movement, temperature, nutrients and moisture levels depending on the symptoms to address the problem.

If you could do anything tomorrow what would you do?

Trek the Inca Trail in Peru.

If you could teach your kids one thing, what would it be?

Failing and learning from whatever life throws at you is better than being comfortable and not trying at all.

What are you reading at the moment?

Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff (book club choice!)

If we rummaged through your grocery bag, what would we find?

Yoghurt, kangaroo, parsley, chocolate

Can you tell us the first thing that pops into your mind when we mention the word …

Breakfast … Grapefruit
Weekends … Eat Sleep Plant Repeat
People … Complex
Pause … Dramatic
Sound … Magpie warbles
Smell … Mint
Place … Tokyo
Texture … Lamb’s ears, the plant variety
Ritual … Wattle pancakes on the first day of spring!
Colour … Grrreeeeen 

What’s one thing you can’t live without at the moment?

Podcasts.

What are your words of wisdom?

Work hard and enjoy the ride!

Find Mr Fancy Plants on Instagram, online, and in store at Guild of Objects April 14–17.