For Phoebe, the maker behind Clay & Ball, pottery is more than a craft — it’s a conversation between form, function, and feeling. From her new Wānaka studio, she talks about the beginnings of her practice, the influence of her surroundings, and the simple pleasure of creating pieces that bring warmth to daily life.

Let’s start at the beginning, how did Clay & Ball come to life? What first drew you to pottery, and when did you know it was something you wanted to turn into a creative business?

I first discovered pottery in 2022 when I did a couple of wheel-throwing class with Joy in Dublin Bay. I immediately fell in love with the process—the feel of the clay and the creativity of shaping it on the wheel was captivating. I bought a wheel to continue practicing as a hobby and started making pieces for friends and family.

Clay & Ball officially came to life in 2023, when my hobby began to grow into a business. I was approached by local spots like Little Brewer and Wilson & Dorset to sell my work, and that’s when it really became something bigger. I never imagined pottery would turn into a full-time job, but I feel incredibly lucky that it has, and I’m thrilled to share my creations with others.

How does living and creating in Wānaka influence your work? Do the landscapes, seasons, or local community shape your process or aesthetic in any way?

Living and creating in Wānaka has a huge influence on my work. I love making simple yet unique pieces, and the stunning landscapes around me—especially the mountains of the Aspiring Valley where my studio is—are a constant source of inspiration. The seasons here also play a big role; the changing light, textures, and colours of the environment often find their way into the shapes, glazes, and finishes I choose.

I’m also inspired by the local community—the sense of creativity, connection, and appreciation for handmade work encourages me to keep experimenting and pushing my own ideas. Being surrounded by such natural beauty and a supportive creative network allows my pieces to feel both personal and reflective of the place they come from.

Your pieces feel both functional and artful. What inspires your forms and colour palettes? Are there particular textures, tones, or materials that you always find yourself returning to?

Functionality is really important to me—I want every piece to feel just right in your hands. Handles need to fit perfectly, cups and mugs should be ideal for tea or coffee, and some shapes are designed to keep drinks warm with subtle tapering. I also love experimenting with new forms; for example, I’ve been focusing on jugs lately and have developed a method to make them both beautiful and practical for pouring, which is always a priority.

When it comes to colour, I keep returning to earthy, neutral tones. I develop my own glazes using raw materials and tend to lean towards soft, natural hues—blues, whites, and greens. One signature element of my work is the mountain range motif, which has always been a core part of Clay & Ball. Unlike block colours, it has layers that create snowy depth, giving each piece a sense of texture and landscape. Lately, I’ve been exploring more single-tone pieces, but the mountains will always remain a stable and defining part of my collection.

Pottery is such a tactile and meditative craft. What does a typical day in the studio look like for you, and how do you balance creativity with the practical side of running a small business?

I’ve always loved being a busy bee! Clay & Ball keeps me on my toes full-time, between stockist orders and updating my online shop. My days usually run from about 9–5 (or 10–6 if I’ve lost track of time at the wheel), but I’m often up early—at the gym by 5:30—to make the most of my day.

A typical day in the studio really depends on what stage I’m at. I’ll either be throwing on the wheel, trimming pieces, mixing up glazes, or loading the kiln. There’s always something to do, and I love that every day looks a little different.

Alongside pottery, I’ve been studying full-time in veterinary nursing, which wraps up this month. I usually study in the mornings before work when my brain is freshest. I’ve recently started working casually with PetFirst Aspiring as a vet nurse, which is a dream—it means I can keep my pottery business full-time while still holding onto that spark of helping animals whenever I’m needed.

I’m lucky to have a great accountant who takes care of the financial side, and my husband helps with admin and spreadsheets (he’s a bit of a whiz with those!). I tend to just plod along and tackle whatever needs doing. The social media side is definitely my biggest challenge—I’d much rather be in the studio making than taking photos or posting—but I know it’s an important part of sharing what I do.

Sustainability and slow making are at the heart of Clay & Ball. How do these values show up in the way you design, create, and share your pieces?

Sustainability and slow making are really at the heart of Clay & Ball. Every piece is made by hand in small batches, which naturally slows the process down and allows me to be intentional with each stage—from throwing and trimming to glazing and firing.

I try to minimise waste wherever possible by recycling clay scraps, reusing packaging materials, and developing my own glazes from raw ingredients so I know exactly what’s in them. My focus is on creating timeless, functional pieces that are built to last, rather than producing large quantities or following fast-moving trends.

When it comes to sharing my work, I take a mindful approach too. I prefer to release small, thoughtful collections rather than constant restocks, encouraging people to choose pieces they’ll use and love for a long time. It’s all about creating with care and purpose.

What’s next for Clay & Ball? Are there new projects, collections, or ideas you’re excited to explore this season?

There’s lots on the go at the moment, and I’m really excited about what’s ahead! I’m currently making pieces for an awesome restaurant—starting with jugs and then moving on to plates, bowls, and other tableware. It’s been such a fun challenge creating pieces that are both functional and beautiful for a busy dining setting.

I plan to expand my glaze range even further next year. There’ll be a few shop updates coming, and I’m also working closely with my stockist, Christina, on a collaboration for the Tarras Village Shop—starting with some special mugs and, as they open their new space, planning to run painting workshops there too.

With my new studio up and running, I’m hoping to host more workshops of my own and create new mug designs as well. It’s shaping up to be a really creative and hands-on year ahead, and I can’t wait to see it all come together.

Learn more about Phoebe and her ceramics here.

Follow Phoebe @clayandballpottery

You can shop Clay & Ball at our Tarras Village Store.

Phoebe Wears: