Tallaine is a part-time potter with a love of organic textures. She creates functional one-of-a-kind ceramic homewares with a predominantly rustic aesthetic and sensory appeal from her Melbourne home workshop, under the close guidance of her two cocker spaniels.

24 August 2018

Designer Spotlight: Organic Homewares

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Potter of functional pieces with sensory appeal, Tallaine: “An item should not only be functional, but should also be beautiful to look at and interesting to the touch.”

My name is Tallaine and I am a potter. Pottery for me started off as a hobby. Several years ago my daughter joined a pottery class and loved it. Some of the pieces she came home with inspired me to pick up a piece of clay and I was hooked!

Rough-edged footed bowl in textured BRT clay with deep blue and brown glazes.

Rough-edged footed bowl in textured BRT clay with deep blue and brown glazes.

I was making too many things to keep, so I started giving them as gifts. A friend asked me to make her some cheese plates for her to give as gifts and suggested I start selling them, and it took off from there.

Tallaine is a part-time potter with a love of organic textures. She creates functional one-of-a-kind ceramic homewares with a predominantly rustic aesthetic and sensory appeal from her Melbourne home workshop, under the close guidance of her two cocker spaniels.

As well as Madeit, I have some of my goods in a store in Melbourne, and I have the occasional market stall. I also take on commissions. Not enough yet to quit my day job, but maybe one day…

Tallaine’s furry workshop supervisors, Ash and Pip: “We have 2 cocker spaniels that take a keen interest in whatever I’m Making

Tallaine’s furry workshop supervisors, Ash and Pip: “We have 2 cocker spaniels that take a keen interest in whatever I’m Making

My pottery studio is a shed out the back, but I also like to work on the verandah with the dogs. We have 2 Cocker Spaniels that take a keen interest in whatever I’m making. And quite often my daughter will sit with me and make things too. She has sold several of the jewellery pieces she makes from clay as well.

Tallaine at work on her Melbourne home verandah

Tallaine at work on her Melbourne home verandah

I am inspired by nature (aren’t we all) and enjoy making pieces with soft lines and gentle curves. Recently, I have also been using fallen leaves and other plant material to make impressions on my pieces.

Cheese platters imprinted with textures of found objects from nature

Cheese platters imprinted with textures of found objects from nature

Another rustic cheese platter imprinted with a stem of rosemary

I make things that I like to use and look at. I have been making dinner sets, platters, pots and serving pieces, but recently I have started to make sculptures too.

’Tree’, an example of Tallaine’s recent adventure into clay sculpture: “I am inspired by nature (aren’t we all) and enjoy making pieces with soft lines and gentle curves.”

’Tree’, an example of Tallaine’s recent adventure into clay sculpture: “I am inspired by nature (aren’t we all) and enjoy making pieces with soft lines and gentle curves.”

I have always been interested in art, crafting and making things myself at home. I am also a keen renovator, having renovated my first home over 30 years ago. I would like to make my own tiles and basins for my next home in Tasmania where I hope to move to in several years.

A pair of rustic green bowls in Tallaine’s signature style of textured organic forms

A pair of rustic green bowls in Tallaine’s signature style of textured organic forms

I like to create pieces that are functional and beautiful. I use Buff Raku Trachyte (BRT) clay predominately because of the texture and the finish that it gives. I also love the way the clay reacts to different coloured stains. I use an LGH clay too, but I am most passionate about the BRT.

Blue glazed buff raku trachyte cheese platter: “I use buff raku trachyte (BRT) clay predominantly because of the texture and finish that it gives.

Blue glazed buff raku trachyte cheese platter: “I use buff raku trachyte (BRT) clay predominantly because of the texture and finish that it gives.

What I love about handmade is that someone has taken time and care to make something with their own hands. Homemade pieces have their own warmth and character, which are lacking in mass produced items. Even though I make sets of things, no 2 items are the same.

Smooth, hand-stamped cheese markers drying on Tallaine’s verandah table.

Smooth, hand-stamped cheese markers drying on Tallaine’s verandah table.

Each of my items reflects my ideology that an item should not only by functional, but should also be beautiful to look at and interesting to the touch. I guess I would consider most of my pieces to be ‘rustic’ in appearance, but I also make refined pieces as well.

Blue and white smooth finish organic cheese platters: “Homemade pieces have their own warmth and character, which are lacking in mass produced items.”

Blue and white smooth finish organic cheese platters: “Homemade pieces have their own warmth and character, which are lacking in mass produced items.”

I have been on Madeit for about a year and really enjoy the sense of community on the site. Everyone is friendly and helpful and full of suggestions when one of us has a problem. The owner, Louise, is always approachable and enthusiastic. Also, the quality and variety of ‘stalls’ on the web site is fantastic. There is always something I want to buy.