I'm Mel, the Dreamer & Maker of all things ceramics at Clay Beehive
I've spent the past ten years living and creating in the lovely little Victorian country town of Milawa, this was a special time where I first discovered my love for clay and where Clay Beehive was first established in my little garden studio located on the banks of the oven river surrounded by beautiful river red gums.
A change in circumstances sparked an exciting new chapter where my family and I relocated to the beautiful "Dandenong Ranges" in Victoria, Australia.
Having lived my childhood in the hills I was excited when the opportunity arose for my family to make the move back, it's felt like coming home, I love it here.
My new Pottery Studio is set-up within my home, it's been affectionately nicknamed "The Hive" with various rooms interconnecting together to make up the studio space, add in some lovely little views of ferns and glimpses of the gardens and it's my happy space to create in.
It's such a joy to live and work here, to have nature right on my doorstep, I feel a renewed sense of creativity as I explore the forests and spend time discovering the endless array of bush tracks, breathing in the fresh scent of gum leaves, marveling at the towering mountain ash trees, the gullies of ferns, spotting the beautiful wildlife that calls this special place home.
What led you to creating ceramics?
I'd signed up for a night class, being the primary carer for my beautiful sick mum I'd needed some time just for me, I had always wanted to try pottery but never had the opportunity, it came at the right time and I was instantly hooked, my love affair was born.
Clay Beehive was established in 2018, many pots have been created in the years since, my love for this beautiful medium has only grown, it's been a special journey creating ceramics with this humble material "Clay" it has taught me so much, especially patience, resilience and not holding on too tightly to the outcome as nothing can be guaranteed with ceramics.
What sort of ceramics do you create?
I love making pieces that are not only beautiful but functional too, every piece I bring to life I would happily have in my home out on display and use myself.
I'm always imagining how my pieces will be enjoyed in their new homes, picturing the large serving plates/platters and bowls filled with delicious home made foods whilst entertaining with family and friends.
My favourite thing to make would definitely be my vases, I feel I really get to be creative with these, making something a little quirky and unique is my kind of happiness. I'm also an avid flower grower and fossicker of dried twigs and branches so to pair these with a handmade vessel I've imagined and brought to life really brings so much joy.
I also enjoy making pieces you can hang on your walls, including little shelves, hooks, butterflies, flowers and recently some decorative finials you can place on a shelf or place atop a wooden stake in the garden.
What inspires/motivates your ceramic creations?
I love being in nature, it's a constant source of inspiration for many of my textures and colour palettes in my ceramics. I especially love the earthy tones you find in the landscape, the trees, the forest, the flowers, the bark, the skies, the fog.
I also love patterns, spots are a big favourite, tartans, lines, flower motifs, especially decorated in blue, it must be my French heritage coming into play here.
What are you excited about in your studio at the moment?
I've always really enjoyed that vintage/rustic aged patina you find on weathered metal, painted chippy furniture and weathered stone statues, I've started experimenting with this weathered/cracked technique on my surface design so I'm excited to share this with you in my upcoming creations and introducing more greens into my colour palette as I'm surrounded by greens in my new environment I can't help but be inspired.
What do you enjoy doing when you're out of the studio?
Spending time with my family, especially my two beloved dogs Simba (the Basenji) & Ruby the (boxer).
Eating good food prepared lovingly with yummy homegrown produce.
Photographing nature
Visiting gardens and nurseries.
Soaking in the sunshine in my garden, sipping strong black tea.
Going for walks in the forest, soaking in the earthy smells and fresh mountain air.
Exploring vintage + second hand stores
Styling spaces and forever moving furniture around
Listening to every True Crime Podcast + Documentary
