Friday Friends - Marg Turton, Black Cockatoo Ceramics

I'm a bit excited today, because I have an awesome potter for you to meet!
I'm a huge fan of pottery and was a bit of a potter myself once (but only a little bit of one!)

So here we go!



Who are you and what do you do?

Hi, my name is Marg Turton and I am Black Cockatoo Ceramics!  I make ceramics, mugs, bowls and teabowls that reflect the natural world. I decorate my pots with handpainted birds, insects and anything else that catches my eye.

portrait by Blue Mountains artist Gerlinde Thomas

 Who or what inspires you?

The natural world inspires me most including our incredible Blue Mountains environment.  I am inspired by many people. In the Blue Mountains we have some amazing potters such as Peter Rushforth and Susie McMeekin.  I also love old Japanese and Korean ceramics.  

Your signature or favorite item

My favourite piece I have made is a celadon bowl with applied insects. I find it very hard to replicate the glaze quality that I achieved on this piece. That is always the challenge to reach for the best shape, design and glaze.

What do you most enjoy doing? 

Playing with mud!  I love the elemental aspect of potting: earth, air, water and fire all play a part in the creation of a pot.

What you would rather be doing?
I am very lucky that I am doing what I enjoy, so, apart from exploring the bush and other wild places, I am happy doing what I am doing now.

Where you see yourself in 5 years time?

Hopefully having more time to make pots, and experiment more with different glazes.

How did you start along this road?

I first started potting over 30 years ago with a potter in Glebe. Then when children came along we moved to the Blue Mountains. I obtained my degree in Environmental Science (I am an ecologist by trade), then I realised that I had really missed potting and being creative. I went back to TAFE and did a certificate course in ceramics and have done it ever since. It can be hard to allocate time to it, but I go a bit crazy if I cannot get muddy every once in a while!

5 words of advice for others

Make what you enjoy making!

Anything else you'd like to add.
 
My pots are available from the ‘Nook’ in Leura, and at ‘Number 47’ in the country town of Rylstone.

I'm sure you'll agree with me that Marg's pots are fabuous and if you'd like to find out more pop over to her facebook page or check out her etsy shop - 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/blackcockatooceramics
Etsy:  www.etsy.com/shop/BlackCockatooCeramics
Email: blackcockatooceramics@gmail.com

Five Friday Faves

I've been having fun finding some new faves - and revisiting some old faves as well.
Sometimes it's not just the object that I love but maybe the shop name, the way items are photographed, or some colour combination that catches my eye.

This shop has got the best name ever!
The Making of Mrs Bertimus.

little sparrow brooch by Mrs Bertimus

I love the look of up-cycled clothing, the slightly chaotic, higgeldy-piggeldy result, the freedom to be a little bit crazy!

top by Broken Ghost Clothing

The next pick is purely practical - and what stylish practicality in these bags by Bagybag - I do need a bag for my laptop!

laptop bag by Bagybag

I just noticed this fabulous teapot in someone elses faves! Thanks!
I love, love teapots and I love, love handmade pottery - I'm in love!

bloom of lilac teapot by ocpottery.

And talking of love - or maybe obsession.
I can't stop looking at Susannah Tucker's lovely images and these sweet sentiments - who wouldn't love to just float away....

Friday faves

I love digging through my faves on Fridays.
Revisiting some old faves, making friends with some new ones, getting lost in shops...

Here is a new one that I found this morning.
This shop has a lot of bike decorated glasses and tshirts, but I just love this crafty one - 

crafty pint glasses by vital

This bag may be newly noticed by me but the shop and maker are not!
OK this is made by my friend K, but she seriously makes the best messenger bags around.
I usually go for the bright fabrics but I love the 50's feel of this fabric - reminds me of some curtains from my childhood I think.

small messenger bag by needlevsthread

I love pottery! Did you know that I was a potter before I was a jewellery designer?
And I guess it's still in my blood but these days I leave it the expert practitioners.
This ticks a couple of boxes - it's a jewellery display pot - how useful is that?

jewellery bowl by CaractacusPots

And here's another piece that ticks a couple of boxes.
I have a soft spot for waterecolours (I also tried that!) and of course I'm a cat person.
Plus this is a french, revolutionary puss - aw!

Les Mews by amberalexander

It's sort-of-summer, time to reassess ones wardrobe - maybe I'm in the market for a new skirt, but it's so hard to decide which one!
What do you think of this one - it's denim (love), got some brightness (love) and it's wrap around (too comfy) - yep, that ticks a few boxes too!

wrap around skirt by boutique mia

Phew! All that ticking boxes has me worn out!

Have a great weekend everyone.

Who I met at the weekend!

Introducing......at Leura Fair -

Lynne Lade's really comfy pants -

 Wondrous textiles from Janet of feloffa -

Delicious candles from Wyck -

Amazing children's clothing from Danette at Sami Bop -

The most beautiful ceramics from master potter Lyn Hart -

The prettiest wearable art from Suzie Webster Art Studio -

and the colourful and diverse display from The Nook Leura artisans -

Don't forget my weekly blogtoberfest giveaway.
To have the chance of scoring a pair of planettreaures earrings leave a comment.
I'll be drawing the winner next tomorrow, Tuesday 9th .

Wednesday Wishlist

A few simple wishes this week -

sugar bowl and creamer set by dbabcock

cherry blossoms lamp by jerseymaids

fruiti apple skirt by roseglen

Short and sweet - see you next week!

Wednesday finds - Tapas

Further to Monday's post I thought it might be fun to run a "tapas" search.

After all if you are going to make tapas at home you might need some recipe ideas

 

  

recipe book by soupNstuff

You might need some new bowls and dishes - small bright ones in keeping with the sunny mediterranean theme

 

 tapas plate by pamdesign 

bowls by atelierBB

How about some really cute serving spoons

curled spoons by ateleirOKER

curled spoons by atelierOKER

A beautiful cheese or bread board

orange board by EcoStone

orange cheese board by EcoStone

Olives - of course!

 

 olives by bridgethenry 

And a menu!

tapas by juanjez

Buen apetito!

Wednesday wishlist

Don't the weeks roll round quickly?
And there's a definite chill in the air, although the days are clear and sunny.

So while I'm wrapping up in jumpers and socks, I still need some pretties, right?

birds on a wire by kylieparry

Or a stunning decorative plate.

printing plate on brown clay, bird 1 by almapottery

I can see how this could be a change of season dress with tights and a cardi.

romantic wanderer by SeaofTales

Wednesday wishlist

It's time to wish for some warmer clothes.
Warm but stylish -

hoodie wrap by IslaNewYork

and some warm slippers (since I still can't get shoes on my left foot!)

felted wool slippers by tatus

Then just because I am a big fan of japanese tea bowls.

shino chawan teabowl by mossbeachceramics

Hmmm, must be time for a cuppa!

See you next week!

Wednesday wishlist

This wednesday wishlist is brought to you by the word "warm".

oceanic ladder cowl by madeofsherbert

little blue teapot by VadimM

hand knitted funky feet by madwestdesigns

think I'll sit in the sun, put my feet up and have a nice warm cup of tea.

How about you?

Wishlist Wednesday - 28

Is it because it's a grey, rainy day that I feel like having some colour in my life today?

Everything in this shop is fabulous - I love this unique raku pottery.

blue copper grape sculptural vessel by raku4U

I dont know if I would be game to actually wear these shoes - but I love looking at them.

F-lovers by wolandandmoon

And something a liitle more modest, more practical, but no less colourful!

retro fabric coasters by feliciafairy

Wishlist Wednesday - 23

It's a beautiful sunny day!

So something for me -

linen dress by pamelatang

something for afternoon tea on the verandah -

bird pedestal by catherinereece

and something just because I like it! -

big wave by rigels