Meet The Maker: Brooke Clunie

Meet the maker of our best-selling mugs and keep-cups - Brooke Clunie!

We're obsessed with Brooke's handmade organic form. We love how the fluid lines of the vibrant glazes effortlessly combine with the earthy natural finish.

And all of these everyday pieces are fired in her kiln right here in the Byron Bay hinterland. 

We talk to artisan Brooke about her passions and introduce you to the magical maker behind one of our most successful globetrottersiraconlineusa collaborations. 

TELL US ABOUT LIFE AS A POTTER: WHEN DID IT BEGIN, HOW HAS IT EVOLVED AND WHAT KEEPS YOU IN THE STUDIO DAY AFTER DAY.
The best part of being a potter is creating pieces that can be used daily, from that first brew in the morning with loved ones right through the day to serving a hearty evening feast.

My obsession with clay began in my final years at school where I was lucky enough to have an awesome pottery teacher. She instilled discipline and creativity in my practice, not to be too precious and to always remember form and function. I was given the keys to the art room - what a privilege to have learnt in a time when you could do this!

WHAT’S THE INSPIRATION BEHIND YOUR AESTHETIC AND WHAT IS BEAUTIFUL TO YOU?
At the moment I am driven by restful spaces and time in the pieces that I make. So inspiration comes from an internal quest for stillness. Each piece with the end user in mind and how they will receive this quiet intention.

All need to be ‘wanted’ so to speak and stand alone or in a group.

I’m not too concerned with the perfect thrown pot but more with the feelings they encourage and project forward. This creates beauty for me.

Functionality therefore drives another aspect to my range with form being my main concern - the lip of a bowl or mug, a handle, the belly; how these aspects to a piece make them function well and be the first for hungry hands to reach for.

 

HOW DO YOU STAY CREATIVE IN ISOLATION?
It’s not too hard. Throwing on the wheel really solves all my dilemmas...so this past week has been great - globetrottersiraconlineusa mug making has me consumed!



IF YOU’RE NOT WORKING, WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE WAY/S RIGHT NOW TO SPEND TIME AT HOME?
Reading - I’m excited to start Hilary Mantels and Sebastian Barry’s new novels. Both are set in past centuries. There’s nothing better than curling up and diving in to another century for a while!


IS THERE A WAY FOR PEOPLE TO GET INVOLVED WITH CLAY AT HOME IF THEY DON’T ALREADY HAVE SOMETHING SET-UP?
Yes, Clay Play
- anyone can play with clay at their kitchen table. Pinch Pots or sculptures and just letting your imagination run wild is great fun. Kids often make anything that comes to mind. As adults, we need to not overthink and just let rip. All you need is a bag of clay- tools - our hands! That’s it!

I remember my first kids class way, way back - they all made what was totally new on the scene...mobile phones - these would be historic now...lol.