Local creative, Shelby Sherrit, has just opened a fun little space where people can experience the fun of ceramics. Shelby is internationally famous for her original Australian animal ceramic pieces and a series of ‘Mystery Moulds’. After she found a large collection of ceramic moulds on Gumtree, she started pouring one per week and challenging herself to take her artistic style to the mould pieces. The series was an enormous hit, with fans making suggestions on how to paint the pieces. Now she’s made it possible for anyone to paint them, with sessions at her new space: The Pottage.
This weekend was the opening and I went along to check it out. The name should give you a hint that it’s a pottery experience in a sweet cottage. When I was a kid my grandmother used to take me to her weekly ceramics classes. Because of this we have a bunch of really beautiful ceramics all around our home. So for me, naturally, it was a bit nostalgic. The launch party was packed and I waited a while to get a seat and paint something. The thing I loved about this is that the pieces you paint there get glazed and fired, so it’s not like a normal plaster place where you paint it and take it on the day. It means you can make something you will use and treasure in your home.
Bookings can be made on The Pottage website and sessions go for 3 hours, with helpful support to paint just as you like.
If you remember my blog post about Main Road, then these pieces should be familiar. It turns out Shelby has some of this collection as well, which she had on display to help give the pottage a homely feel. I was very excited and also jealous because I don’t have one of these pieces.
Here are the shelves with a range of pieces you can choose to customise.
Shelby also has a display with her own pieces so you can get inspired and also see what her work looks like in person.
At the front there you can see some tasty catering from Kittelty’s.
This lovely little bean is Phoebe Kahn who I had just met.
Adams Family portrait with Shelby.
Phoebe told us to pose so this is what happened.
I’ve known Shelby for a few years through Instagram, but we only just in the last couple of years started meeting up in person. There have been a couple of times that I’ve sat in her studio editing my podcast of Persuasion while she works on stock for markets. I’m really proud of her making her new little space and can’t wait to go again. I had so much fun painting a tea cup and would love to make myself a set.
-L
