Check all the latest news from PJ Pottery
SWELL Sculpture Festival success | Christmas exhibition | What’s new in the gallery | upcoming workshops
OCTOBER E-NEWS
October e-news
Category: pottery
September e-news
Read the PJ Pottery September e-news HERE
Preparation for SWELL Sculpture Festival | Spring Fever | Commissions | Workshops
PJ Pottery Kiln and Chill July e-news
Who likes the cold? Not this little muddy duck! I’m a wuss when it comes to winter. I huddle over heaters, warm the water when I throw on the wheel. I look ridiculous with my multiple layers of clothes but the show must go on! I reward myself by working contented long hours after I’ve done a firing because it’s toasty warm in the studio and the pots dry nice and quickly.
Enough self-pity, putting my big girl pants on now. I ran a lovely hot pit firing for my students a few weeks ago with some lovely results after trying a few new experiments. These alternate firings sometimes feel like alchemy as you brew up mixes, sprinkle ingredients and do a few incantations – well some of us do. Combustibles like seaweed, dried coffee grounds and onion skins are placed on or around the pots to give a variety of effects. We also use colourants like copper and iron and a dash of salt and sugar, then the flames do their magic over a few hours. It was a pleasant evening sitting around, feeding and watching the fire, sharing a delicious feast and even some mulled wine.
If you are interested in participating in future firings send me an email – no experience necessary.
KILN & CHILL WINTER SPECIAL
To make you feel all warm and fuzzy, I’m having a little special just for you dearest reader. With any purchase of my ceramic beakers during July, I will send you a ceramic gift. No code required, just buy and get excited for the arrival of your beaker/s AND surprise pottery piece.
Beakers
These beakers are perfect for all manner of drinks, like wine, sake or a nice hot brew. They are hand thrown and high fired in a combination of glazes that interact with each other stunningly. Please note, there is variation in the colours due to the nature of the firing. Each holds approximately 200mL. Price is for one beaker.
NEW IN THE GALLERY
It seems it’s all about lights at the moment. Actually, it’s the result of including lanterns and lamps as class projects last term for my students. So here are a few I have on offer on my website or from the gallery. You can book in a time to visit – if I’m home, the gallery is open.
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Ceramic table lamp model-2
$295.00 -
Clay facetted lantern
Price range: $45.00 through $50.00 -
Handmade ceramic table lamp model 11
$295.00 -
love lights
$35.00
STEAMPUNK VASE WORKSHOP
I’m delighted to share with you that bookings for my workshop in the SWELL Fringe program are now open. Enjoy a creative evening over a convivial glass of wine and some tasty nibbles. Make a vase with Steampunk elements which will be fired and glazed for you and returned to Currumbin for you to collect in 4-6 weeks.
CAQ NEWS
I’ve hit the ground running in my role as board member for Ceramic Arts Queensland. I am coordinating a CLAY CHAT (with help from my clay mate, Larissa Warren) for ceramic peeps on the Gold Coast and Scenic Rim. Anyone interested in clay and ceramics is welcome to attend.
Happy New Year from PJ Pottery!
Happy New Year from PJ Pottery! And just like that, it’s 2025! The frenetic build up to Christmas is once again a distant memory. Now there is a sense of calm and a time to refresh ready for another year. I am relishing this time of creating while I have no classes running. In my kiln I have new teapots, a few sculptural pieces and several exhibition works I am hoping will be blessed by the kiln gods.
Do you make New Year Resolutions? Mine is to focus on my teapots, make wilder, more eccentric Steampunk ceramics and generally challenge my skills. I’d love to know if you have any feedback on what I create. Here’s a super quick survey for you to let me know what you’d like to see from the PJ Pottery Studio in 2025
What would you like to see from the PJ Pottery Studio in 2025?
Because I have been making new works I am keen to sell my older pieces which is a win for you – teapot lovers and collectors!
Did you know that many teabags are made not just from paper but are also constructed with plastic? I now only drink loose leaf tea just to reduce the amount of plastic consumption. And let’s face it, freshly brewed leaf tea is SO much nicer than teabag tea dust!
Listed below are some teapots that have a juicy discount to make room for new pots.
HAPPY SHOPPING!
Teapots on sale
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charcoal teapot with buttons
Original price was: $95.00.$85.00Current price is: $85.00. -
Floral teapot
Original price was: $145.00.$135.00Current price is: $135.00. -
Frosted Black Teapot
Original price was: $125.00.$110.00Current price is: $110.00. -
Green carved teapot
Original price was: $115.00.$95.00Current price is: $95.00. -
Hand facetted marbled beaker
Original price was: $75.00.$50.00Current price is: $50.00.
Of course, if you are looking for other pottery to purchase you can find more on my website.
I thought I would give you plenty of notice that I will be participating in Tamborine Mountain Arts Trail Sat/Sun/Mon 3-5th May 2025 Mark your calendar because this is a fabulous opportunity to visit the artists’ studios, take part in workshops and enjoy all that this gorgeous mountain has to offer.
That’s the PJ Pottery news for now, thanks for reading. I hope you have a wonderful 2025!
PJ Pottery December News
In this PJ Pottery December news I am pleased to offer you – my lovely subscribers – a choice of my new ceramics that are ideal for Christmas gifting. PLUS! with each purchase made on my website before the 12th of December, I will include a small ceramic gift just for you, consider it an early Christmas present!
I’m so grateful for your support for my ceramic business, your words of encouragement (and purchases of course), inspire me to keep creating and keep evolving my practice. As a thank you, I invite you to visit my gallery between 10am and 3pm Saturday 7th December or Sunday 15th December and get a juicy 20% off purchases over $50 (except my Steampunk teapots and blingy keep cups, way too many hours in them)
In the Gallery
These gorgeous new blingy keep cups make me all smiles, every one is hand crafted and unique and many hours have gone into selecting a creating the designs. The cups have gold lustre highlights to create that lovely glint and makes drinking from them feel special! Each comes with a silicone lid and sleeve so you don’t scold your hands on a hot cup. Or if you are you after something a little less….blingy? Then these rainbow keep cups fresh from the kiln may suit you. Each comes with a silicone lid and sleeve.
Do your bit for our little planet while still enjoying your daily caffeine hit or nourishing brew. By purchasing your own handmade ceramic keep cup, you are reducing the use of single use cups – go you!
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blingy keep cupsPrice range: $60.00 through $75.00 -
Rainbow keep cups$40.00 -
Blingy beakersPrice range: $55.00 through $70.00
Christmas Exhibitions
I have work in three exhibition in the lead up to Christmas
Gift Wrapped 2024 exhibition has 300+ unique artworks and small gifts, ready for Christmas gift giving including a few from PJ Pottery such as one of a kind Steampunk teapots and a selection of porcelain earrings with gold lustre and soft colours. Gift Wrapped 2024 runs until 14 December, The Centre, 82 Brisbane St Beaudesert.
Badcap- Scenic Rim Public Arts Christmas Makers’ Market is on from Saturday 30th November until Monday 23rd December at 10am-3pm at Stationmaster House, 100 Brisbane Street, Beaudesert.
Boonah Regional Art Gallery Artisans in the Gallery
Thank you for reading the PJ Pottery December News
Spotlight on Teapots
YES! Time for a Spotlight on my Teapots! I am still on a high because I won the Toy Story category at the Sydney Teapot Show at Gallery Lowe and Lee. I attended the opening and the exhibition is amazing. It runs until 3rd of November. Visiting Sydney? Go see it, there are so many wondrous works! This is my winning entry, Jacques (In the Box) and Flo which was entered in the Natural World category. Flo was inspired by the beautiful striations in the landscape, so to reflect this, the teapot was made from Red Earth clay and fired in reduction to give the iron-bearing clay a gorgeous metallic lustre. If you’d like to buy either of these teapots you can contact the gallery info@gallerylnl.com.au
Special gift with every teapot
I admit, I am a super productive little potter and I have a satisfying collection of one of a kind teapots in stock at the moment. But I create them not sit on my shelves – I made them for you to buy, use and love. So enjoy browsing my current range because there’s a sweet little bonus for you. If you purchase between now and the end of November, I will gift wrap it for that special someone AND throw in a surprise gift just for you! Consider it an early Christmas present.
I do hope you have enjoyed my spotlight on teapots!
Gift Wrapped Exhibition
PJ Pottery is one of the selected artisans with work in the Gift Wrapped Exhibition at The Centre, Beaudesert. So if you are looking for that special hand-crafted gift, visit the Gift Wrapped 2024 exhibition! The gallery will be filled with colour and creativity thanks to 31 artisans and over 300 unique artworks ready for Christmas gift giving. Open from 19 October – 14 December 2024
PJ Pottery September news
It has been a busy month! We visited Stanthorpe to see the Stanthorpe Art Prize and of course – while in wine country – visited some wineries. My entry didn’t win a prize but it did sell on opening night, so I’m a happy chap.
I am now stocking keep cups at Kookaburra Hollow as well as a range of other ceramics, it is a lovely retail outlet within Willow and Safe cafe. It has a great vibe, check it out if you are on Tamborine Mountain.
New Steampunk babies
I enjoyed making these new teapots because I had designed them a while ago but have been occupied with finishing commissions. These hand detailed pieces take time and patience, as much as I’d love to put them all together in one go, I have to wait until the different components have firmed up enough to handle and join without damage. I’m not good at being patient, so I feel pretty good! Both are now listed in my SHOP
2024 Sydney Teapot Show
I’m really excited about this year’s Sydney Teapot Show because I get to attend the opening. As luck would have it, I’ll be in Sydney to go to a wedding – woohoo!! I have two entries in this year that I’m very proud of, what do you think? Jacques (in the box) will be in the Toy Story category. Yes, he does have a wobbly head, and Flo will be in the Natural World category. I can’t wait to see all the entries IRL.
Artisan Fayre
No rest for the wicked they say, nor for potters either, apparently. I have been busy creating some new pieces just for this year’s Artisan Fayre. This home grown annual event is a highlight for lovers of arts and crafts and a brilliant opportunity for local artisans like me, to showcase our wares.
Making blingy things is my happy place. These new creations are an extension of my blingy beakers for the coffee/tea brew at home. Now you can get your favourite take away in these adorable keep cups. Hand thrown hire fired stoneware, decorated with a range of designs and gold lustre applied in a third firing. They will debut at the Fayre on Sunday 17 November at the Tamborine Mountain Showgrounds 9am to 3pm.
PLUS
Don’t forget to book in for this fun little taster workshop at the Artisan Fayre
Thanks for staying with me and reading PJ Pottery September news!
PJ Pottery August news
PJ Pottery August news
Upcoming exhibitions
I am very lucky to be able to make a living from ceramics. I usually divide my time between creating and teaching (and doing marketing and admin urgh!) Part of my practice is to challenge myself and get out of my comfort zone by entering competitions and I’m happy to announce that I have pieces in three such exhibitions.
I have a quirky sculptural teapot in the Scenic Rim Small Sculpture Prize open now until 1st September.
One of my signature Steampunk teapots is a finalist in the Stanthorpe Art Prize Opening 6th September until 10th November with $50,000 in prize money.
One of my wilder Steampunk creations, Mental Notes, has also been selected as a finalist in the biennial North Queensland Ceramic Awards. This Ceramic Award displays the diversity of ceramic art currently being produced in Australia. The competition offers a major acquisitive prize of $10,000. Perc Tucker Regional Gallery, Townsville from 18 October 2024 – 16 February 2025.
The annual Elemental Exhibition presented by Ceramic Arts Queensland is a must-see for lovers of ceramics. Each year CAQ members display and sell their ceramics. It is diverse, innovative and affordable. As a member, I will have a few of my Steampunk teapots in the exhibition and will be there if you want to come say hello and talk clay!
Brisbane Institute of Art 41 Grafton St, Windsor – Opening 6pm 30 August
New Stockist
There will soon be a new outlet for PJ Pottery homeware at Kookaburra Hollow, 8 Siganto St Tamborine Mountain within the Willow and Grace Café. Get a coffee and a bite to eat and enjoy the talents of local artisans.
PJ Pottery at Artisan Fayre
One for your diaries is the Artisan Fayre 17th November at the Tamborine Mountain Showgrounds. Look out for PJ Pottery stall there, we’ll have new yummies and some return favourites like keep cups and sweet little porcelain earrings. Plus a few surprises!
AND SUPER NEWS! I will be offering a rolling workshop all day so if you are busting to have a go at creating with clay. You can make a set of 2 beakers or mugs or wee planters – get as creative as you like! I will have stamps, textures and ceramic paints to play with. You will make them on the day of the Fayre and I will take them back to the studio, glaze and fire them for you to collect in 4-6 weeks (or I can post them) then use and cherish for years to come. For more info click link below:
Thanks for staying with me and reading PJ Pottery August news!
Cheers Nicci
PJ Pottery July news
PJ Pottery July News
I was reminiscing about the wonderful time I had opening my studio back in May. I am sharing this gorgeous little video made by Lilly Piri for the Tamborine Mountain Arts Trail because I didn’t get to share it enough. It beautifully captures my pottery business and the joy I have following my passion. I hope you enjoy watching it!
New summer workshop
I am happy to announce I am offering a 4 week pottery course covering hand building and an introduction to throwing. It’s suitable for beginners, so check out all the details and book in soon! I have a waiting list for all of my classes, but my lovely students just keep returning so there are not many spots available in my term classes. I know! It’s a good problem to have.
I am always learning, if you have the chance for some professional development – DO IT! I’ve just completed an online business course and have done hours of work on my website – go take a look, I’m keen for some feedback. As a result, I am now offering FREE SHIPPING over $120 spend. If you are like me and huddling around a heater and grumpy, what better to cheer up is a bit of online shopping, especially handmade Australian ceramics!
Fresh from the kiln
These gorgeous beakers and bowls were made at a recent throwing course I took part in last month in Murwillumbah, NSW. Getting insights of production potter, Malcolm Greenwood was fascinating. I came back to the studio full of ideas and a swag of newly made tools. I decided these pieces would look best in these traditional Japanese and Chinese glazes. These are now perhaps considered old school, but I just love the rich earthy goodness of the Shino, Temoku and Chun glazes. They were fired to stoneware temperature in reduction. This means the oxygen is restricted in the kiln by closing the dampers and this atmosphere brings out the metallics in the clay and glaze.
Exhibition News
I am thrilled to announce that my work has been selected as a finalist for the prestigious 2024 Stanthorpe Art Prize With $50,000 in prize money over 2D and 3D categories, it attracts entries from across Australia. Opening night is Friday 6 September at the Stanthorpe Regional Art Gallery when the winners will be announced.
I was successful in entering in the Scenic Rim Small Sculpture Prize 2024 with my perky teapot, Zoot. I am excited to attend the opening and viewing all the other entries. Wish me luck!
Thanks for your interest in my pottery journey and reading the PJ Pottery July News. Cheers, Nicci
PJ Pottery June news
PJ Pottery June news
Here on the mountain it’s been chilly and dry. Really conducive to firing the kiln and basking in the warmth in the studio the next day. Now the holidays are on and I have no classes, I have spread right out in my studio and I’ve been completing commissions and planning a couple of rad teapots in preparation for this year’s Sydney Teapot Show.
News of recent works
The magic still burns bright to make Steampunk creations – the wilder they are, the happier I get!
I’ve been asked to make some pieces for our local Visitor Information Centre, so visitors to Tamborine Mountain will soon be able to purchase handmade PJ Pottery lovelies to take home or give as gifts. These include keep cups, fridge magnets and a selection of my porcelain earrings.
The beakers and bowls were made during a recent masterclass I attended in Murwillumbah, this was an amazing experience, learning from an experienced production potter, Malcolm Greenwood. I got to hang out with 16 other clay lovers and talk pots all week. We made valuable discoveries, made custom tools and shared our love of the craft.
Next workshop Gold Coast Potters
I will be offering a one day surface treatment workshop, TEXTURE AND TONE on November 24 at the Gold Coast Potters, follow their Facebook page for more info and to book in closer to the date.
That’s it for PJ Pottery June news, thanks as always for your support and interest!
