In the studio: Elizabeth Bell
We catch up with Elizabeth, a Geelong-based ceramic artist and teacher.
Tell us about your creative journey, was there always a passion for creativity?
Perhaps subconsciously; art has always been an important outlet for me. Ever since I was a small, I’ve found great enjoyment in trying my hand at different art mediums and will always tend to have one or more creative endeavours on the go. I believe a passion is something that develops inadvertently and, in a sense, this is how I found my way into ceramics.
What were you doing before ceramics? Has it influenced your work today?
After first leaving school I trained as a hairdresser and over 10 years in the industry, moved from the salon floor into product wholesale and later salon management. At the same time, without any specific goal in mind, I completed a certificate in small business management. My time in the hair and beauty industry taught me many lessons, in particular around business management and the value of hard work. While hairdressing and ceramics are not intrinsically related, both require striking balance between a pursuit for creativity with the commercial realities of running a business – and finding that balance can be challenging at times.
“I believe a passion is something that develops inadvertently and, in a sense, this is how I found my way into ceramics.”
What was the turning point of turning a hobby into a career?
In 2016 my husband and I decided to take 12 months off to go travelling, eventually making our way to London where we stayed for a further two years. I had hit a bit of a crossroad in my career where I was keen to get out of the hair and beauty industry but was not really sure what I wanted to do. Incidentally, on a holiday to Japan a few years prior, I had stumbled upon a pottery studio in Kyoto that offered walk-up taster classes and had found the experience to be something that I really enjoyed. On my return home it had inspired me to enrol in a few terms of evening classes with a local ceramic artist, for no reason other than that I found it to be a great way to destress after a difficult day at work.
Fast-forward a few years to my time in London, I was keen to continue with the hobby so decided to apply for an internship I saw advertised at quaint little pottery around an hour train journey away in Oxford. Once a week I would set off at around 7am, catch the train to Oxford where I would work in the studio for the day in exchange for a lesson in the evening, before returning back to London by 11pm. This experience gave me wonderful insight into how a ceramics business can operate as well as helping to close some knowledge gaps around prepping clay, mixing glazes, operating a kiln, etc. Around this time I also purchased my first pottery wheel; it was about forty years old and as loud as a freight train, but enabled me to continue to practice developing my skills from the bedroom of my tiny London flat. Another big step for me came in 2018 when somewhat naively I decided apply for a stall at an upcoming Christmas market. I think the culmination of my internship, owning my own wheel and my first market, was the turning point in me starting to wonder whether pottery was something that could become more than a hobby.
Toward the end of 2019 my husband and I decided to pack up and return home to Melbourne. I was around 20-weeks pregnant with our first child and, rather than applying for a new job only to then go on maternity leave, I decided to give myself the few months until our daughter was born to test whether I might be able to make the business work. With two second-hand pottery wheels and a second-hand kiln, I set up a small studio from a rented garage space within an industrial estate in the inner-northern suburb of Coburg. From here I started producing a limited range of homeware and dinnerware items, and offered introductory classes for groups of two. And from here Elizabeth Bell Ceramics was started.
“I love turning a lump of clay into a tangible, usable product. I feel very fortunate to have found a career that allows me to do this.”
What is your advice for makers wanting to take this same step in turning a ‘hobby’ into a business?
Running a small business is hard, and to take the leap from secure employment into starting your own business can be terrifying. I think the best advice I can give someone looking to take that step is to look for ways to diversity revenue stream. My business derives revenue from three primary sources: retail sales, wholesale, and classes. For me, classes provide a steady base revenue year-round, whereas retail sales tend to peak around Christmas. Wholesale orders help keep me busy in the quieter retail period.
I’d love to hear more about your pottery workshops and advice you have for beginners?
From my studio in Geelong West, we provide classes in hand-built or wheel-thrown pottery, and offer either two-hour taster classes for first timers or more intensive six-week term classes at both beginner or intermediate level. We also host private groups for corporate events, hens’ parties, and the like. Whether you want to try the wheel or hand-building, the taster classes are a great way to experience what pottery has to offer. Under the guidance of a professional potter, you’ll learn the skills and techniques to create a simple tumbler or bowl which is then fired, glazed and made ready for collection the following week. All classes are proudly kept to a maximum of four students per teacher to ensure appropriate one-on-one tuition time with each student.
For students who are interested in learning the wheel-thrown pottery in greater depth, our term classes provide the opportunity to hone their skills over several weeks. Beginners will learn how throw, trim and glaze their work and, at the intermediate level, will build proficiency in centring clay and making basic forms. The best advice I can offer all students regardless of their experience is to let go, and not be afraid to destroy your work in order to push the boundaries. Give yourself challenges to work toward and practice!
What do you love most about what you do?
What I love most about what I do is the sense of community and the creative outlet my work provides. We have formed an amazing community here in Geelong of ceramic artists and other creatives who share similar interests and goals. In 2022 we arranged the first ever Geelong Ceramics Market, showcasing 19 local ceramic artists in one beautiful gallery. I feel our community of ceramists in Geelong is very collaborative, rather than competitive. The community formed around Elizabeth Bell Ceramics classes is rather special, also. It is inspiring to be around people who are passionate about the same things as I, who I can also offer instruction, support and encouragement to along the way. Additionally, having a creative outlet that allows me time to produce beautiful, functional products, and explore new ideas. I love turning a lump of clay into a tangible, usable product. I feel very fortunate to have found a career that allows me to do this.
Have there been any highlights in your role as a maker and business owner?
I pinch myself daily that this is now my job! There are so many highlights, big and small, such as the first wholesale order placed, collaborative ventures with other creatives, a new piece of equipment (investing back in to the business), or taking on a team!
Geelong, Australia
