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With so many events I wanted to attend over the weekend just gone, and a wedding to boot, I had to cave in and cover 3 instead of 5 events. I vowed not to miss the
Pottery Expo as it was going to be my opportunity to meet with a lady who produces some of my favourite pieces. What I was not prepared for, was, how awesome an event it turned out to be, and how easy it was to spend all afternoon there. There were so many amazing stalls filled with some of the best creative potters as promised.
If there's anything you need to take away from this article, just remember this. Do not miss the next event they organise. It's not the sort of expo you rush through. It's the kind where you spend time chatting to the potters about their work, attend a workshop or two, if you're an aspiring potter, sit back and enjoy the entertainment; the musicians, and stop awhile for a bite to eat and quench your thirst.
Giant eggs nestled in several spaces
While relaxing, your mind just might wander to all the crockery you have at home in your kitchen cupboards, and you might start daydreaming about updating all the matchy matchy sets for pieces that are unique and handmade by these wonderful creatives. That's exactly what I did just a few months ago and I couldn't be happier. I smile every time I eat out of my beautiful beloved crockery. It makes me happy having unique pieces I love. The pieces at the
pottery expo will do just that. It'll make your heart sing. Try it!
Just 35kms from where I live, aside from travelling along the dreaded Punt Road, it was plain sailing to the
Expo. The parking area is quite a bit further from the entrance of the event, so be prepared for a long walk. However, you do pass a lot of tranquil scenery as you walk along the
Warrandyte River Reserve. Being quite a warm day of 30 degrees celsius, I was envious of the adults, children and dogs enjoying the cool river as I walked the long road to the expo.
Marina Pribaz as mentioned below
Tracy Muirhead in black (far left) as mentioned below
Erin from Erins Window
This was a well-organised event, though I could not testify to there being restroom facilities as I didn't go looking for any. This expo, instigated by local potter Jane Annoise and based on the concept of the Marche de Potiers (Potters Markets) of France, lucky for us, it's turned out to be an annual event.
These 60 plus exhibitors are selected and invited by a panel to showcase some of the best creative potters, and it shows. It was also classy and well set up, with the
Teskey Brothers keeping us entertained on the Sunday. You don't need a whole lot of entertainment when you have some of the best.
It was the same with food; just a few stalls, and for me, a couple of my favourites. The Doc Organic Coffee stand kept us (my daughter and I) well watered with iced coffee and iced chocolate with a large dollop of ice cream on a warm day. It didn't hurt that the service came with a wide smile either. The generously filled smoked salmon crepe I had with greens and melted cheese came from my all time favourite French,
le petite crêperie breiz. I've had their crêpes before at other markets they attend. Their delicious offerings need no advertising, and have chalked up fans through word of mouth as they don't have a website or Facebook page to speak of. Another good move in my books by the pottery expo, to have quality instead of quantity.
Doc Organic Coffee and la petite crêperie briez
It was a nice touch that the entry into the expo was littered with pottery on posts, not to mention gigantic eggs grouped in nests, nestled in several places on the ground. In spite of the length of time I spent there, I cannot say that I covered everyone of the 60 plus stalls. There were just too many to give them the time they deserved.
I was however very happy to meet Erin from
Erins Window in person, as I've been buying from her
Etsy store and ended up picking up a couple more pieces at the expo. She was awarded the
2017 Michael Hallam - the Innovative New Ceramics Award, which is no surprise to me. I love the whimsical soft colours she uses and the characters she creates and could easily have bought two more items that have left me haunted for not picking them up. Hah! but that's me.
Do click on the images to enlarge them to their full glory, especially the image below of the list of stall holders over the weekend. You could click on it and save the image for a ready list of potters to explore, or you could just add this whole article to your 'to do' list for easy access down the track. The
Pottery Expo website also has a list of exhibitors with images to remind you of the potters you may have met/seen at the expo, in case you'd like to purchase or catch up with them and their wares again.
Some other interesting stalls I personally attended run classes for adults and children i.e.
Slow Clay Centre and
Claydreamers Pottery Studio and I was particularly fascinated by the authentic
Japanese Pottery Equipment.
Marina Pribaz and
Tracy Muirhead caught my eye; Marina for her super fine and delicate work and Tracy for her unique quirky pieces left to find their own expression. I seriously can't wait for
the next pottery event. Keep in touch and be in the know via their
website or their
public group.
