“Behind every small business

is a DREAM

and a lot of hard work.”

So much of the creative process demands getting your hands well and truly “dirty”. I’ve spoken in past blogs about the joys of having dirt under your fingernails from hours spent toiling in the garden, or being covered in flour from baking cookies, well this month’s blog feature is equally as messy! Today, you’ll be reading about how sticking your hands into clay and feeling it with each fingertip, gets your senses going and is equally as satisfying. And with just a little imagination, a ball of clay can become a mug, or a platter, or a beautiful snail that doubles as a ring holder (thank you primary school Mother’s Day presents).

We are all born with a means to be creative, to express ourselves and to stand out. That could be expressed in so many different ways; painting (even badly), writing poetry (even if it sounds childish), singing in a choir (even if you sing off key you can blend in), drawing (even if it’s a stick man), we’re all able to be creative. But for some of us, imagining a life without creativity is like living as half a person. We can always find excuses not to create – I’m too tired, I don’t have time, I can’t be bothered. But for some, there are absolutely no excuses!

Welcome to The Bigger Picture; a blog that is all about building NETWORK and CONNECTION. Each month, I feature a woman in small business within my community with the sole purpose of showing support, building solidarity and sharing stories of passion.

I am so fortunate to be surrounded by incredible small businesses in the South West run by mums in their spare rooms or out in their gardens and they each have a unique story to be told; a BIGGER PICTURE to be discovered.

My feature for April is an extremely talented local artist, known to many who frequent the local Port Fairy Community Market, selling her colourful pots, jewellery and vases. I’m very happy to introduce you to local mum, teacher, beekeeper, multi-creative and very talented ceramicist …

Chelsea Fox

Chelsea Fox Ceramics

Tell us about your business and what services you offer.

I am @chelsea.fox.ceramics; a ceramic artist who creates functional & sculptural works. My ceramic pieces are intended to brighten up homes and allow people to own one-off handmade ceramics that are functional and fun.

I sometimes run workshops but have been too preoccupied with my own creativity to do that lately. I just want to make stuff.

Is there a story behind the name you chose?

The name “Chelsea Fox Ceramics” is quite straightforward and reflects what I do. I considered naming it “The Fox Project” to encompass my other creative passions, such as lino printing, mosaic, photography & beekeeping. I thought a broader name could capture all my interests but I decided to keep the focus on ceramics as my main business. It’s nothing too exciting but gets my name out there.

Where does your inspiration come from?

I get inspiration from every angle of life. I’m constantly inspired; a simple beach walk will spark an idea, the colours in a leaf or a seed pod I find in the garden, so my main inspiration comes from nature. I love flowers, plants & stuff I find on beach and bush walks. I’m drawn to organic forms and colour combinations found in nature. Pinks and yellows, sea greens, coppers and cobalt blue - I do love to add a pop of gold to my work - giving it a bit of gangster bling. I like things that look earthy & warm, but I also really love bright loud colours. I switch between the two depending on how I feel.

If I didn’t have my job as an art teacher and a ceramic maker, I’d probably be a house builder.

What is your favourite part of your job

I love the tactile nature of working with the clay. My favourite part is the making; hand building ceramic forms and allowing them to change and take on a life of their own as you build. I often cut them down, flip forms, so I like that things can change really quickly if I’m not liking the form. I start with a loose plan and the pots kind of take on a life of their own. Glazing is much harder for me. Often, I’m not happy with the colours once they’re fired, and sometimes I have pieces that sit around the studio for weeks before I like them. It’s not often I open the kiln and it’s love at first sight and so I have to sit with them for a bit.

How does it feel to be in the studio making?

I’m quite a busy person by nature and often have ten balls in the air at once, a million thoughts happening and checklists of things to be done. Managing family, an art practice, teaching four days, a social life and my fitness regime is a lot. When I step into the studio I can really switch off and just be completely absorbed in creativity. All my ‘busyness’ disappears and I feel 100% present and connected to what I’m doing. Which makes me a calmer and better person for all the other stuff in my life. If I didn’t honour my creativity I turn into a chaotic whirlwind and I lose my centre – which then affects all my relationships and my happiness leaks out. So, I guess my ceramic practice is my best friend, my therapist, my super power and my outlet to be free.

What do you offer your clients that no one else does?

I create one-off handmade pieces that are functional and a little bit fun and quirky. I mainly make vases, planters, bangles, earrings and fruit bowls. I don’t stick to one particular style or clay body, which allows for different aesthetics. I’m not interested in mass production or churning out the same thing. I enjoy constantly learning and experimenting with new clay bodies and glazes.

What’s the biggest thing you’ve learnt since starting your business?

I’m constantly learning, and I really love that side of ceramics. I’m always researching or calling up other potters for advice and I like that connection. I’ve learned to embrace the wonky-ness - a bit of wabi-sabi goes a long way! Ceramics is a slow process and you have a lot of fails, so it’s important to move on quickly and not get hung up on all the hours it takes to make something. I’m getting better at documenting glaze recipes and firing temperatures. I’m also learning to balance my creative side hustle with my other work.

I would like to make a website or an Instagram shop but I’m not interested enough to sit down and make that! I’d rather just go to the studio and make a pot. My advice to other creatives would be to do what you love, and not be afraid of getting it out there. Be weird and wild & just do what makes you happy.

Being invited into an artists’ domain is very special and I thoroughly enjoyed my visit with Chelsea and being surrounded by clay, pots of paint, tools and pieces of work, either nearing completion or stacked away to finish ‘another time’. I came away feeling so inspired and connected because as a creative person, I too share her need to find creative fulfillment in all aspects of my life.

I don’t know that she would agree, but for those of us who see Chelsea’s work down at the local market, or follow her socials, her work is instantly recognisable. We can see a pot and go, “that’s a Chelsea Fox!” and what a wonderful thing that is for an artist – that your body of work almost says something about who you are and becomes a reflection of yourself. Chelsea is bright and vivacious and so too is her artwork. I can’t wait until she is ready to hold workshops again – keep your eye on the socials for that one!

Edwina xx

If you are looking for a unique piece of art to brighten your home, a bespoke piece to gift to someone special, or indeed, information on any workshops that might be happening, give Chelsea a follow (and your support) on her social media page…

Email: hello@chelseafox.au

Instagram: @chelsea.fox.ceramics