Crushing On Staci Coble of Flow Studio Ceramics

We are excited to announce our latest collaboration with Flow Studio Ceramics with her Wavy Terracotta Lamp that was designed exclusively for Crushes! We thought we would visit her studio at The Clay Centre and get to know more about Staci Coble, and what inspires and motivates her creativity. 

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WORKING WITH CERAMICS?

I’ve been working with ceramics on and off for about 5-6 years, I started when I was about 8 years old doing after school classes and then I got more interested in my late teens and started doing wheel classes. And just got back in to it about 3 years ago.

AND NOW YOU’RE A TEACHER?

And now I’m an assistant teacher at the Clay Studio.

AND WHAT DOES A FLOW STUDIO CERAMIC PIECE LOOK LIKE?

I’m really interested in different curved shapes. I take inspiration from architectural imagery and getting more interested in the textural side of things.

WHAT PIECE OF ARCHITECTURE BRINGS YOU THE MOST INSPIRATION?

Hard question! I love old cathedrals for all the different shapes and variety. There is so much beauty and history in a cathedral. And I’m inspired by curvy rounded architecture, like the Guggenheim. The Getty Museum is gorgeous.

SO WHAT IS IT LIKE BEING A CREATIVE THAT WORKS WITH HER HANDS? WHY DO YOU DO WHAT YOU DO?

I love to have a creative outlet. To work with my hands is so personal and it goes hand-in-hand with my business name FLOW STUDIO because it is that ‘flow state of mind'. You just go in this trance where it is so meditative, and it is so good for my soul.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU’RE GOING TO MAKE BEFORE YOU MAKE IT?

Usually not unless I have a request from someone I usually start with a curve I have in mind.

WHERE DO YOU BELIEVE CREATIVITY COMES FROM?

I find inspiration from so many different things around me, even feelings and emotions. I think creativity is such an important outlet to have especially in times like these. Creativity comes in so many shapes and forms, just like pottery.

WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON / MOVING FORWARD?

I really want to inspire others. With assistant teaching at the Clay Centre, it is such a special thing to do. I’m doing the business side of things but also teaching people how to get in to pottery. So I’ll definitely stay here for a while, and continue to get in to other stores and keep on creating.

WOULD YOU SAY POTTERY HAS BEEN A GIFT TO YOUR WELL BEING?

100%!! It wasn’t my plan to get in to pottery. I was taking a break from my previous job and kind of fell into a job at the Clay Centre, and realised this was something that I loved as it didn’t feel like I was going to work everyday. I could just do this day in and day out, and continue to grow and evolve and appreciate this lifestyle.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR CRUSHES COLLABORATION

For Crushes I am doing this beautiful terracotta lamp that has really nice curvature to it. It is inspired by the shape of a womans body. Making a lamp has been really exciting for me!

I THINK THERE IS SOMETHING SPECIAL TO INTERACT WITH HANDMADE PIECE EVERYDAY, LIKE A LAMP!

Yes that is so true and it is so exciting. I have such an emotional connection with all of my pieces. I put so much love and effort in to them and to know that it will be used everyday is really exciting and to have that piece in someones else’s home is really special.