I began working with clay thirty years ago. I had been drawing and painting since childhood but became totally absorbed with the whole process of ceramic production.

My interest in painting was the reason for further studies, to combine both drawing and ceramics. An interest in Islamic architecture has been the inspiration for my decorative work.

Hornsby TAFE, Sydney, Ceramics (2 years) Brookvale TAFE, Sydney. Associate Diploma in Ceramics Private Tuition with Margaret Tuckson, Judy Barret.

Thelma Delaney Images

I trained at a part time course run at East Sydney Technical College and have worked full time for many years making domestic stoneware pottery and murals. I have also undertaken training in oil and acrylic painting, which has influenced my ceramic decorating techniques

My pottery is truly Australian in theme, with earthy colours, incorporating bush scenes, native animal and flower motifs. I fire in a 35 cubic foot kiln, heated by natural gas. My clay base is from Pugoon, Mudgee, New South Wales. My work has been in the NSW Craft Council Travelling Exhibition. I have also exhibited in the Potters Society gallery, the Craft Fair, and at exhibitions in Melbourne, Canberra and Fremantle.Training

Gillian Dodds Images

I use an electric kiln for my work and porcelain clay for my domestic work. This is fired to 1280 centigrade. I use Bennett's clay for my terracotta one-off pieces, and fire them to 1100 centigrade. The warmth of earthenware colours has always appealed to me. Each pot is burnished and then sealed with a colloidal slip called 'terra sigillata' which I make from the same clay, before applying the airbrushed decoration.

My decorations vary with each pot. I love bright colours and geometric and abstract designs. Negative spaces are extremely important and the fine black lines bring harmony and balance to the whole concept. This conceptual development of my work is from primitive to abstract. Primitive because of the glossy slipcoating over the earthenware (terra sigillata) and abstract because of the geometric decorations which depend upon logic and calculation.

Northern Beaches TAFE, Brookvale, Ceramic Certificate, 4 years. I have taken part in the Australian Craft Show many times and was a member of Claythings Potters Gallery Inc. I have also written an article in 'Pottery in Australia' on terra sigillata.

Heidi Francis Images

I work mainly in stoneware, fired in both reduction and oxidation to 1300° celsius. Most of my work is inspired by historical pieces from many cultures:Islamic, African, Papua New Guinea and Chinese.

I enjoy incorporating non-ceramic materials with my one-off pieces. I am a contributor at the Australian Craft Show and the North Shore Craft Group.

Pat Hayward Images

My interest lies in exploring new possibilities in the design of pots and of glaze qualities.

I am currently producing wood-fired porcelain and stoneware platters, goblets and carafes, teapots, mugs, bowls and storage jars. As there are changing conditions within my Bourry Box Kiln, I use several clays which respond well to this way of firing. On top of the bag wall, the pots receive the most ash and body colour. Variation occurs throughout the kiln and a softer result is achieved at the back of the kiln near the flue. Predominantly, I use Celadon and Shino glazes in this kiln. I used Copper and Barium glazes when gas firing decorative forms, vases, lamps, planters and oilburners.

Associate Diploma in Ceramics, Northern Beaches College of TAFE.

Barbara Webster Images

I was born in Denmark, where I had a wonderful childhood, living close to the forest where mushrooms grew in the moss and birds nested in the pine trees. The fields and roadsides were full of wildflowers and the colours of landscape were soft. On arrival in Australia, the brilliant blue sky, tall eucalyptus trees and a very strong beautiful nature greeted us.

All of the above influences are mirrored in my work, whether sculptural or domestic. The direction ahead is towards making objects which will give pleasure in daily use.

Originally educated at the Danish Handcraft Guild as a teacher of Embroidery. Three years full time. I studied Pottery at Hornsby TAFE, part time for four years and at summer schools and seminars.

Ebba Hansen Images

I work with my wife, Merrie Hamilton, from our studio in a small rural village near Canberra. Together, we make several ranges of ceramic jewellery - some elegant and made precious by firing gold, copper and platinum onto their surface and some more playfully casual. Our larger pieces can be wall plaques, platters, pots or sculpture. Neither Merrie nor I use a potters wheel. Our favourite way of working is with inlaid coloured clays. This seldom-used method results in a raw clay surface and an earthy palette. With it, we aim to give our exhibition work an 'Australianness', influenced by our environment and the painter, Margaret Preston. We also enjoy celebrating the everyday, the small event.

Greg, Bachelor of Science Merrie, Diploma of Art Education. Although self taught in this medium, both of us have worked on the Boards of Arts Organisations in Canberra, taught in TAFE's and given numerous workshops on our approach to pottery.

Greg Sugden and Merrie Hamilton Images

My designs are one of a kind; classic shaped vases, bowls, plump quails and zany tea vessels. My pieces are simple in line blackblackand form, yet by experimenting with glaze and oxides, I have been able to achieve a kaleidoscope of colour.

My pieces are fired in either a large pit with sawdust and timber for five hours, or in Raku where they may be reglazed and refired anywhere up to 19 times in temperatures varying from 1000° to 1100° in 20 minutes, resulting in an orange peel effect, a moon crater finish or a lustre surface.

Presently I am working with porcelain and copper slip and a lithium based glaze (90% of lithium).

Brookvale TAFE, Sydney, Ceramics Certificate, four years. Forestville Community Art Centre, Sydney, head of ceramics division, four years.

Krysia St Clair Images

I was born in Berlin and came to Australia in 1957. About twenty five years ago, I discovered clay and have been obsessed every since. Because I live in a bush environment, I gather plant material to impress in the soft clay and the image is highlighted with iron oxides. I like clay to look like the earth it came from but my sculptured figures give me the chance to experiment with coloured glazes

Four years part time Gymea TAFE, plus additional courses.

Inge Hahn Images

I have been working with clay for over 20 years, having gained a certificate in Ceramics from Brookvale Technical College.

My training focused mainly on producing functional ware. I enjoy working with clay as a medium for self expression. Its tactile and direct qualities allow me to explore many forms. Recently I have become interested in making sculptural pieces.

Bev Orme Images

I began potting full time in 1975 and I am currently producing high fired stoneware pots in the salt glaze tradition with oriental influences. I am very interested in Chinese stoneware glazes, especially copper reds. I also make joined wooden boxes using Australian timbers and have training in metalwork.

I really enjoy making things for people to use and hopefully, admire. I enjoy the process of making pots and my biggest reward is unpacking the kiln after a glaze firing. The desire to make wood-fired pots one day is very strong, and I look forward to seeing and feeling the lick of the flame on the clay.

I studied for a Diploma of Arts, Seaforth TAFE 1971, then gained a Ceramics Certificate, East Sydney TAFE 1972-3. I have been a part time Ceramics teacher at Brookvale TAFE 1975-81. In 1975 a workshop establishment grant from the Australia Council allowed me to set up a pottery in Sydney and from there I moved to Northern NSW where I currently pot and manage my own gallery. I am represented in Publications such as 'Pottery in Australia', 'Studio Ceramics' and 'Craft Australia Yearbook 1985' and have taken part in a number of exhibitions.

Chris Ball Images

I have been making pots for 39 years. All my work is produced on a potter's wheel. It is the process of throwing and turning vessels that I enjoy.

My focus at present is on polished porcelain bowls, some transluscent. Quiet forms with understated decoration.

The response I like my work to provoke is the desire to pick up and hold. It is then that the play of light through the finely turned clay can be observed. The translucency creates the fragile eggshell quality.

I was trained at Northern Beaches of TAFE 1989-1992, Associate Diploma Art (Ceramics) credit level.

Liz Hardy Images