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When I was the workshop coordinator at WPA I notic

When I was the workshop coordinator at WPA I noticed a lot of people pouring their water from throwing down the sink*
STOP! 🚫

My first pottery teacher @rosemary_ohara_pottery once told me that you lose 20% of you clay from ‘slop’ during throwing. I always reclaim mine but I never paid much attention to how much I created or reclaimed.

Over the last 2 weeks I have finished a 10kg bag of Primo stoneware and I saved all my slop and reclaimed it. When I weighed out the reclaimed clay it was just under 2.5 kgs.

That’s enough for me to make 5 more mugs!

*There is a reclaim system at WPA so the slops do get recycled but then they resell it back to club members, so if you can take the time to reclaim your own clay, it’s well worth it!

#reducereuserecycle #reclaim #sustainablepottery #slipslapslop #nzpottery

Wow. My honey made the most amazing gf df veg spa

Wow. My honey made the most amazing gf df veg spaghetti carbonara tonight. Looking extra spesh on this dinner bowl by me! Great to have @donacn join us too and help me get started on my most ambitious sculpting project yet... swipe to the end to see the first step - a base!
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Cashew carbonara from today.com
Ingredients

1 cup bacon, cut into ½-inch cubes (we used veg bacon)
1 cup English peas
1 pound pasta, preferably fettuccini
1 teaspoon chilli flakes
2 tablespoons olive oil
Sea salt

Sauce
1/2 cup raw cashews (not toasted)
2 cups water
2 shallots, finely diced
4 large cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons olive oil

Preparation

Make the sauce: In saucepan or large sauté pan, sauté shallots and garlic until tender, 1-2 minutes. Add cashews, water and salt. Simmer 30 minutes, then purée in blender until smooth.

While the sauce cooks: Cook the pasta. Sauté diced bacon in pan until lightly brown. Drain excess fat. Add peas, chilli pepper flakes and sauce to the pan with the sauce, then toss with the pasta.

He also added some mushrooms and some eggs, which you could omit for vegan! He garnished it with some parsley and @angel.foodnz vegan Parmesan and seriously was SO DELICIOUS. I love that man 💕

Inspired by ‘on trend look’ fake handmade plan

Inspired by ‘on trend look’ fake handmade planters at Bunnings, here is a real handmade plant pot being made (sped up 8x). Please note how I fuck it up as much as possible when removing it from the wheel head. This gives it that stylish handmade ‘on trend look’ that mass-produced ceramics try but fail to recreate 😂
#designchoice #ontrendlook #nzpottery #wheelthrownpottery #handmadeplanter

💛Heading into 2021 like... 💛 This is a @sho

💛Heading into 2021 like... 💛

This is a @shopwiksten #wikstenshift made out of 100% organic hemp fabric from @hempfabriclab in India. I actually ordered this fabric in March but due to Covid it didn’t arrive until August when I didn’t have summer sewing on my mind so it’s been in my stash a few months.

Hemp farming uses very little water (half as much as cotton), does not require the use of chemical pesticides or fertilizers, and is a readily renewable resource. Its long roots prevent erosion and help retain topsoil. Furthermore, nothing is wasted in the hemp production process: seeds are used to make oil and food supplements, while the stalks are used for fiber. Hemp also produces more fiber per acre than trees, and can be renewed two to three times per year. Not only that: industrial hemp plants absorb more carbon dioxide than trees.
Also the fabric itself is strong, mould-resistant and breathable like linen, so great for this sweaty humid weather!

This was my first time sewing with hemp and I love it, I just ordered a bunch more, including some white that I am interested to experiment with dyeing. I also ordered some organic handloomed cottons from @itokri which I am excited about!

I looked for more local sources of hemp fabric but couldn’t find much. I have a small amount from @originalcanvas_nz that unfortunately they no longer are selling. If you have any hot tips for NZ produced hemp fabric let me know 😎

It was unintentional but I am really feeling the yellow today with my yellow @bobbinbicycles Blackbird bike, yellow @goodordering pannier bag, yellow helmet, arguably yellow backpack (technically ‘birch green’). I resisted the temptation to wear yellow shoes mostly because I was running late for work 😂

So that was me, the ray of sunshine in these dark times, riding along the always stunning #wellingtonwaterfront this morning.

#dresslikeacrayon #sewinghemp #sewingsustainably #cyclistsewing #wellington #lovelocalbybike

Not bad for a first attempt! Looking forward to ma

Not bad for a first attempt! Looking forward to making more of these in 2021 😎
These are @decopot.co.nz Primo high-fire porcelain with 3 different glazes fired to cone 9. That porcelain really shines!
Thanks @iza.za.za for the idea! I threw these on the wheel by creating a very tall narrow cylinder then collaring the top in and sealing it. This was my first time making a hollow sealed form and I was worried they might explode but luckily all 3 survived! 🙏 I made a video of myself throwing them which once I get around to editing I will share and then you can make one yourself!
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I’m wearing some self-drafted leggings I tie-dyed using @jacquardproducts Procion MX cold water dyes and a @shopwiksten #wikstenhaori made of pretty amazing rainbow fabric from @spotlightstores that is very unravelly but was on super clearance so I guess it could be worse?
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#porcelain #ceramicsextoys #dildoityourself #nzpottery #wheelthrown

I love a good design challenge almost as much as I

I love a good design challenge almost as much as I love supporting indigenous languages! Thanks so much to @mhippolite for her patience with this - the 2nd iteration has some improvements but again I see ways to make them better! I still haven’t glazed the spoons either but that will be one of my first studio tasks when I am back in January 😎
#tereomāori #nzpottery #kiakahatereomāori #designchallenge

UPDATE: this is fully booked! But hopefully I can

UPDATE: this is fully booked! But hopefully I can run it again in the near future 💕
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Ok I cleaned my studio and am ready to do this! Announcing the first ever Nice Assets workshop! It’s taken 5 years but I think I have finally recovered from the trauma of being a lecturer at least enough to attempt teaching again 😎
Make your own boob mugs with me in Wellington on 17 January!

Learn how to sculpt titties onto wheelthrown mugs using 100% NZ clays at my studio in Newtown. You will have 3 wheelthrown forms to work with, learning techniques to sculpt breasts into the forms and add handles. One piece will be for your practice, and I will fire & glaze your 2 best pieces, which will be available to pick up 2 weeks after the workshop.

11am to 1pm at 305a Mansfield St, Unit M, Newtown.

Limited to 5 so book your spot now on my website 🌈

Just bring clothes you don’t mind getting muddy and ideas or images of your favourite breasts!

Assuming this isn’t a disaster look out for more workshops in 2021!

#potteryworkshop #nzpottery #boobmugs

Big stack o’ tiny bowls 💕 These are available

Big stack o’ tiny bowls 💕
These are available on my website as singles or sets of 4/5/10 along with a few other things still available from my last firing. I will be heading off to the in-laws farm in Coromandel Sunday so I am still shipping stuff for any orders received by 8 am tomorrow 😎 then I will officially be done for the year and on HOLIDAY!! Hooray!! 🌈🌱💫 looking forward to getting out of the city and spending some qt with bae... sadly no tramps due to busted knee but hopefully lots of relaxing (if I can remember how to do that...) and maybe some gentle sea swims if the water is calm!
If anyone in wgtn wants to use my studio space from 21 Dec to 6 Jan hmu!
#shopsmall #shopsmallnz #madeinnz
#nzpottery #stoneware #tinypottery #wheelthrown #ceramicbowls #ceramicbowlset

Update: these are sold! But I will be making more

Update: these are sold! But I will be making more in January!
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Turquoise boob mugs! I’m getting better at sculpting and starting to hate it less. So these were kind of fun to make! $40 ea - I will put these up on my website shortly, or DM to purchase!
#boobmug #tittycoffee #funbags #nzpottery #wheelthrownpottery #stoneware

I’m not really big on Christmas because a.) my f

I’m not really big on Christmas because a.) my family is Jewish and b.) I think it’s really an excuse for mindless consumerism but I read that rainbow Christmas ornaments were the biggest thing this year and I love rainbows so I made these 2 limited edition Christmas rainbows! 🌈 if you are into Christmas and trees etc (which there is totally nothing wrong with! - it’s how exploitative capitalism in the name of a religious Christian celebration -with pagan roots- is framed as a state sanctioned public holiday that I find problematic 😎) these will be available at @veronicadesignlife or dm for enquiries!
#happyholidays #rainbow #nzpottery

SHOP UPDATE NOW LIVE! Including ‘rich people mak

SHOP UPDATE NOW LIVE! Including ‘rich people make bad art’ and ‘go away, I’m reading’ mugs, bowls and more! 😎
Get it at niceassets.co.nz!
xo
Nicole
#nzpottery

Hey bookworms and bookworm lovers, come by @veroni

Hey bookworms and bookworm lovers, come by @veronicadesignlife this Friday 6-9pm where these will be available! There will be music, drinks and snacks too! I bought one of those giant bags of @propercrisps chippies that I am going to try very hard not to open before then 😇
Also reading is the best! It develops all different areas of your brain, stimulates the imagination and makes people more creative. 📚 Currently I’m reading Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart, which won the Man-Booker this year. It has me reflecting a lot on my own struggles with the ‘demon drink’ and feeling really good of my upcoming milestone of 1-year free from gluten, dairy, sugar, caffeine & alcohol 🥳
#bookworm #wheelthrown #stoneware #nzpottery #readersareleaders #shuggiebain #manbookerprize @douglas_stuart

🤍💙 I finally made some small bowls so I will

🤍💙
I finally made some small bowls so I will be ready next time @nouschkine comes over with gf df rsf dessert 🥳

Actually even though I am tempted to keep these I bought a bunch of small bowls from Frank Light’s studio during the Kapiti Arts Trail and these have sold already! But don’t worry I am making more and will have them at the @veronicadesignlife party this Friday!!
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#nzpottery #wheelthrown #stoneware

Hey everyone, many of you will have seen the artic

Hey everyone, many of you will have seen the article in Stuff. It’s blowing my mind how popular this news has been, but it’s only part of the story. I wrote a fairly long explanation of everything that happened up to this point that led to my resignation, and posted it to my blog. It’s basically the dildo that broke the camel’s back after years of trying to cope with shitty behaviour. I’m feeling good to be done with it all, and for having stood up for myself. Thanks to @nzstuff for helping tell part of the story. Just to be clear - I don’t think this is a generational issue, I think it’s a class issue. I love and treasure old people and their wisdom! Link in bio 😎 Also pls don’t fuck with my energy.
#bodypositivity #sexpositivity #classwar #eattherich #dontyoufuckwithmyenergy

🌈shop update!🌈 I’ve added a few items to m

🌈shop update!🌈
I’ve added a few items to my website... sorry there’s not heaps because I seem to sell out on things before they even make it to the website 😂 included in the update is this planter shown, a few mugs and a cutlery drainer. Sorry I already sold the 1 spare ‘rich people make bad art’ mug I had, but I have a few more drying that will be ready soon! I have more work coming in the next few weeks that will be available online, and at the @veronicadesignlife shop party on 11 Dec!
What do you think is better? Listing things on the website a few at a time as they are ready, or saving multiple kiln loads up for a massive restock & update? Or... taking preorders? Help I am new at this and I don’t know what people want that also suits my style & pace of making! So I appreciate any feedback or thoughts 💕 thank you!
#nzpottery #stoneware #wheelthrown

💰G I V E A W A Y💰 If I want to pay myself a

💰G I V E A W A Y💰
If I want to pay myself a living wage, I need to sell my mugs for $35 each. Who can afford $35 mugs when rents and housing costs have doubled in recent years? The current cost of housing in NZ has been declared a human rights crisis by the UN. I’m really over how people with wealth continually exploit not only other human beings but also the land (that was stolen in the first place) to just keep increasing their net worth, while the govt does nothing about it. Most mass-produced ceramics are also hugely exploitative of people and the precious earth and its resources. I suggest everyone buy handmade if you can afford it... but the truth is if you don’t come from privilege you probably can’t! However you can at least be smug about how you make better art than rich people 😎 Thanks @dominichoey for inspiring this - I’m sending him one of these, and I’ll have one for sale on my website shortly, but for everybody else - you and a friend can win these 2 mugs!! Just follow me, and leave a comment below tagging someone who also wants to fight this system of inequity and capitalism 🌈 I will draw the winners this Friday 27 Nov at 4pm!! Shipping in NZ included 🥳
And thanks to everyone who does buy my $35 mugs! The fact that people like what I make and will even part with stacks of their hard earned cash for it brings me so much joy!

👩‍👩‍👧 These are available to purchase

👩‍👩‍👧
These are available to purchase @veronicadesignlife as a family, or individually 😎
#nzpottery #wheelthrown #stoneware

I feel so lucky to have been asked to help make so

I feel so lucky to have been asked to help make some measuring cups for Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira in Takapuwahia, Porirua. The aim is to support whānau and tamariki in using te reo in their homes. These are the first steps in a larger project to create more objects for daily use to normalise te reo... I’m calling it the ‘Decolonise my whare’ project! I have lots more work to do refining these designs and testing for other sizes... but I love a good design challenge almost as much as I love decolonising daily life and supporting indigenous languages and cultures 🥰
Most of you probably don’t know this but I have a PhD in information studies where I specifically focused on non-Western cultures (VUW, 2014). I have always been passionately interested in non-Western world views and cultures and celebrating diversity.
As an immigrant to Aotearoa and someone with mixed European heritage I know this is a very special opportunity to have permission to use the taonga of te reo Māori like this. I hope I can honour this language and culture with my work. 🙏
My own te reo is not great but I am always trying to improve it so thanks to @mhippolite for being a champion and empowering me and her community to celebrate this beautiful language 🌈
#tereomāori #nzpottery #kiakahatereomāori #madeinaotearoa #decolonisemywhare #decolonise

Before & after #washyourhandsofcapitalism #cerami

Before & after

#washyourhandsofcapitalism #ceramicsnz #nzpottery #ceramicsoapdish

I have heaps of new stuff hot out of the kiln I ju

I have heaps of new stuff hot out of the kiln I just haven’t had time to take decent pictures but hopefully I will soon! In the meantime here is a planter I made if you like plants 🌱
#nzpottery #wheelthrownpottery #stoneware #planter

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