Back to Blogging - Bit of an update

Hi there. Wow, I haven't blogged for about 3 years. Trying to keep a bit more of a balance in my life has meant choosing to spend less time sitting at the computer.

I have also enjoyed making a few more functional items and found a little bit of time to do some raku pieces for my own enjoyment.

My Handmade Ceramic Native Australian Hanging Birds

I am very happy to say that there have been a few new birds since my last blog. Some I have pictured below aren't new but they are an improvement on the old design, so I have included them too.

Azure Kingfisher

Pink Breasted Robin

Eastern Rosella

White Breasted Sea Eagle

Wedge Tailed Eagle

Butcher Bird

Regent Bowerbird

Male and Female Superb Fairy Wren - Female is new

Red-tailed Black Cockatoo

Galah

Willy Wagtail

Sulphur Crested White Cockatoo

Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo

Thanks for stopping by today. Be sure to visit  My Etsy Shop to see more of my handmade ceramics.
I will update my 'Stockists List' soon, so to check on where to buy my handmade ceramics, please email me.

Eastern Yellow Robin or Yellow Breasted Robin

Another new bird. The  Eastern Yellow Robin or Yellow-Breasted  Robin.

I have a bit of a love for all birds in general (bet you couldn't have guessed lol) but robins and wrens really make my heart sing! So here is another little robin that I am sure you will love too.

A little bit about this little fellow.

Distribution: The Eastern Yellow Robin is confined to the east and south-east of the Australian mainland. The range is mostly along the coastal and adjacent areas, but does extend quite large distances inland in some areas.

 

Habitat: Eastern Yellow Robins are found in a wide range of habitats, from dry woodlands to rainforests. They are also common in parks and gardens, and are usually first seen perched on the side of a tree trunk or other low perch.

 

Seasonal movements: Altitudinal migration to lower areas in winter.

 

 

Eastern Yellow Robin - Ceramic Bird, Handmade by Jan Wallace

 

This little bird is now available from my Etsy shop. Click on the link on this page to be taken straight to my Etsy shop.

 

 

Regent Bowerbird and New Gouldian Finch to Bird Range

Here are the latest additions to my little Australian native bird family. I have made the Gouldian finch before but was never quite happy with how it looked so left it out when it came to making my birds on a regular basis. This one is just a revised version that I am much happier with. The regent bowerbird was brought about as my hubby suggested I make this one.

Both are available from my Etsy shop (follow the Etsy link on the page). Or email me to ask what stockists have these birds in stock at present.

This is how I wrap my little treasures that you buy in my Etsy shop. Birds and sculptural pieces are wrapped in hand stamped paper and jewellery comes to you on a sweet little kraft box. If you would like to send a gift directly to a loved one, just mention this in the notes section of my Etsy checkout, include your note wording and I will send your gift directly to their door.

Jan Wallace Pottery Free Gift Wrapping

Regent Bowerbird

Gouldian Finch



Adding to the Flock in more Ways Than One

Just a quick post today as it's been far too long. The past few months have been very busy. In the later stages of my pregnancy I was in the studio making as many birds as possible so that when our new baby was born I could time spend time with her and Emily.  Our gorgeous little 'Abbie' was born on 1 April. Yes, April fool's day. It really just makes her even more special. I went into hospital on the 31st and since I was induced that same day and being my forth child, we thought she would definitely be born on that day. Not the case and 'Abbie Elizabeth' was born on the afternoon of 1st April. Here's a picture with her big and very proud sister Emily (4).

 

 



A few new birds have been added to my range of  native Australian birds the last few months. I was asked by a customer on Etsy if I could make a Butcher Bird, a Wedge-tailed Eagle and a White Breasted Sea Eagle. So, as it usually happens, they are now a part of the flock. The butcherbird I will make on a regular basis that is for sure as it is already proving popular.

 



 

 

Some exciting news to share... A tourist outlet that is probably interested in carrying a range of my handmade ceramics in the Macarthur area. Hope it all comes together as I would like. Will know more in a few weeks.

 





Time to Wind Down for Christmas....

Christmas is only ten days away and my thoughts are straying away from the studio now to spending fun times over the Christmas period with family and friends, relaxing breaks away here and there in our little 30 year old caravan. It's been a very busy, but great year for my family and I am really looking forward to spending some quality time together.

 

I did my last firing for the year this week, so the kilns get a rest now until the new year. The studio will get a major clean over the Christmas break, my 'list of things to make' will get a work out and I will be ready for a fresh start in the New Year.

I am already contemplating what studio projects lay on the horizon for me next year. It's been sadly over a year since I did a raku firing or pit firing of any kind (how time flies), so that is something that has to make a revival in the new year for sure. I have been so busy with making my little birds, that time has been limited to taking on too many things at once, which is generally my nature. I usually have a million and one creative ideas in my head at any given time lol. 

Etsy has proved to be a successful avenue for me to sell my little birds and other treasures. I have been rushed off my feet in November and December in particular keeping up with photographing and listing new items, wrapping and posting parcels all over Australia. It's a great feeling to know that my birds are hanging in the gardens and homes of people all over the country.

Here are a couple of my newest Australian native birds, the 'Rainbow Lorikeet' and 'Australian Red Capped Robin'. I don't have any 'Rainbow Lorikeets' left in stock atm (flying out the door), but if you are interested in purchasing any, request a 'Custom Order via my Etsy shop. The robin however, is listed in my Etsy shop along with a selection of my other native birds.

I was also asked recently by a couple of different customer's if I could make a few of the English Robins. I decided to make extras and these were snapped up at markets in no time. I also have these in my Etsy shop (link on this blog to my Etsy shop)



Rainbow Lorikeet



Red Capped Robin

English Robin

I have just been befriended by a lady on facebook letting me know that a book we are both featured in has just been published so I have just purchased myself a copy online. The book is called 'Pit Firing Ceramics: Modern Methods, Ancient Traditions' by Dawn Whitehand. I was approached approx. two years ago by Dawn, and asked to submit photos of works and information to be featured in the book. I am looking forward to reading it and very excited to be included alongside other Pit Firing artists from all over the world. If you are into ceramics, this will prove to be a good book to add to your collection.

 

                                                    

 

 



Hopefully, I will get back to write another post before Christmas, but if not, I am wishing everyone from all over the world a Very Happy, safe Christmas and a wonderful year ahead. What creative avenues are you pursuing in the New Year?

Mother Nature and her Influence

For as long as I can remember, I have always had a love of gardening and nature. I am an earth person. Happiest when I am doing something with my hands and getting dirty. It's my way of feeling connected with the earth.

We all have people and moments in our life that have a lasting impression on us. It shapes who we are and perhaps what pathways we are to follow with respect to talents, loves etc. I also believe that we are all born with certain passions and talents, we just have to tap into them and discover them.

I was born in England. A magical moment for me when I was a little girl, was when my parents took us on a family picnic to the English woods. I was about 7 or 8 years of age. It was spring and I cannot begin to tell you how beautiful it was. I was in awe of the impressive old trees like oaks, birch etc reaching up to sky and blocking out the sun. Underneath was an endless sea of blue bells that took my breath away and the fragrance was amazing. That day is still so clear in my mind and the feelings I had as a result, I believe gave me a love and the connection I have today with nature.

My parents emigrated to Australia when I was ten. Australia is the place/country I call home. I love everything about our beautiful country. The flora and fauna constantly have me in awe,. The landscapes, colours and textures are so beautiful and as a creative person, I am constantly taking in my surroundings.

Like many artists, I take inspiration from nature and it is reflected in my work. This is what influenced my range of Australian native birds. The flock (range) is constantly growing. I really love seeing the people who buy them and their appreciation for the love, time and effort that goes into making everyone of them.

If you read my last blog, I mentioned that there was another new bird to my range. The "Rainbow Lorikeet' was a big hit at Coledale Markets on the weekend. Getting busy today making some more today, so its off to the studio.

If you are looking to purchase any of my little birds, please email me for suppliers or visit my Etsy shop. Link via my home page.

Thanks for dropping by today. Have a beautiful day.



Creative Collaboration

Once a month, I visit retailer's who buy my work in Camden NSW. It's a great opportunity not only to replenish their stock, but to have a friendly chat. On visiting one of my customer's recently at a lovely boutique florist in Camden, Jennie from ' Merci Bouquet ' happened to mention that her friend in business Nicci from ' Cupcakes in Camden ' used some my little birds recently on on of her wedding cake creations for a window display.  Later that day, I searched for Nicci's website to find this pretty photo.

What a unique use for my little wrens. I am suggesting ideas all the time to my customers for their use, but this I would not have thought of. As it happens Nicci and I think very much alike creatively and I am looking forward to working with her in the future with various ideas.

Lots more happening in my studio at the moment. I have added yet another Australian native bird to my series. Here's Willy Wagtail. Plus, I have made a realistic version of a  a Superb Fairy Wren or more commonly known as the BlueWren. They are at the drying stage, so more picks at a later date.

 

I am off to "Mittagong Markets" this Saturday 17th August. Lots of unique gifts available, so why not take a drive to the Southern Highlands this Saturday as there are heaps of places to stop along the way.

Well that's enough about what's happening in my studio. Why not drop by Mud Colony to see what the other mudder's have been up to.

Thanks for dropping by.

Back into Pottery Prior to a Road Trip

Hi Everyone,

It's been a while since my last post. I trust everyone had a lovely Christmas and New Year. I had a break from potting over Christmas and all of January. Been giving my dodgy shoulder (partial tear) a bit of a rest.

This week has been mental. We are heading off on a road trip to Melbourne in the morning and it's been a week of organising, appointments, decorating birds and pendants, packing and firing the kiln, packing the caravan and last minute housework ( I like coming home to a clean house).

Back into it the last couple of weeks. My first firing for the year was more of my little Australian Birds and just today I unpacked a load of Pendants and some more birdies. Some examples below. I have been working on some more varieties. More pics for follow after I get back from holidays.

Recently, on a visit to my husband's grandmother, I asked if she had any handmade lace or crocheted doilies that I have to use in my pottery work. She was very happy to know what I wanted to use them for and gave me a collection to take home. I am so happy to be using something so precious in my work that has a family history. I have used some to make some lovely marks on the pendants below.

Very excited to be leaving for Melbourne in the morning, but even better is that I discovered our trip coincides with the 'Pottery Expo'. It is held at Warrandyte on the banks of the Yarra River. I only realised it was happening after one of my friends from 'Mud Colony' mentioned it in a post. Thanks!

Why don't you catch up with the 'Mud Colony' family to see what everyone else has been doing.

Enjoy your weekend everyone. Until next time.

Hot Out of the Kiln

Just opened the kiln and happy to see that my little brids have all turned out beautifully. My Galah's, Kingfisher's and Cockatoo's look great. More to go in this week too. Crimson Rosellas and King Parrots as well as my standard ones. Now to get busy putting the ribbons on each one of these so they can hang up and be enjoyed. I have them hanging in my garden. They look bright and pretty and lead your eye around the garden. Many have been bought to hang on the Christmas tree too. These make a lovely, inexpensive Christmas Gift. If you are interested in purchasing any of these, email me for me details. I am happy to post to anywhere in Australia. Merry Christmas everyone and keep an eye out for my next kiln opening.