Etsy Entertaining

Sarah Murray Ceramics

We’re KICKING off a new mini content series today, in partnership with our pals at Etsy!

‘Etsy Entertaining’ is our new series, which highlights unique, handcrafted ideas for summer entertaining! We’ve scoured Etsy and shortlisted a diverse group of makers Australia wide, who we have worked with closely to create a series of stylised tablesetting ideas for the festive season ahead.

We’re kicking the series off with a distinctly 1970’s vibe, featuring a palette of rich browns, terracotta orange and dusty pinks. This table setting was inspired by the beautiful handcrafted ceramics of NSW based Etsy seller Sarah Murray.

Written
by
Lucy Feagins
This story is supported by Etsy

A 1970’s inspired tablesetting, featuring ceramic vessels by Sarah Murray Ceramics, additional ceramic flatware by Belinda Tee of Belceramicsceramic sculptures and candle holders by Sanne Mestrom of LadyGreenCeramics, timber leaf-shaped serving boards by David Bunic & Carol Jackson of ManualArtsDept, linen tablecloth by Alistair Birrell of Mr Draper. Bentwood chairs from Thonet. Styling – Lucy Feagins, stylist assistant – Nat Turnbull, Photo –Eve Wilson.

A 1970’s inspired tablesetting, featuring ceramic plate and bowls by Sarah Murray Ceramics, additional speckled ceramic flat plate by Belinda Tee of Belceramics, festive decorations by Sanne Mestrom of LadyGreenCeramics, timber leaf-shaped serving boards by David Bunic & Carol Jackson of ManualArtsDept, linen tablecloth by Alistair Birrell of Mr Draper. Styling – Lucy Feagins, stylist assistant – Nat Turnbull, Photo –Eve Wilson.

Sarah Murray in her studio in Tathra, NSW. Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

Sarah glazing a ceramic piece. Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

The Tathra, NSW studio of ceramicist Sarah Murray. Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

Handmade ceramics by Etsy seller Sarah Murray. Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

Sarah glazing her ceramics. Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

Glazed ceramics, before firing. Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

Ceramics by Sarah Murray. Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

Ceramics by Sarah Murray. Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

Details from Sarah’s studio. Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

Studio details. Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

Sarah’s hometown of Tathra. Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

Writer
Lucy Feagins
10th of November 2016

I have to say, one of the loveliest things about working with Etsy, is that it gives us an opportunity to discover new makers in places we wouldn’t necessarily stumble across otherwise! Today’s story is a perfect example!

Ceramicist Sarah Murray is based in beautiful Tathra, on the NSW Far South Coast. She is 6 hours from Sydney and 7 hours from Melbourne – meaning our photographer Nikki To had to fly in a tiny regional plane to Merimbula airport to shoot this story! SO we really are super grateful for the opportunity to leap out of our local neighbourhood and discover creative talent a little farther afield!

Taking our cues from Sarah Murray’s distinctive stoneware ceramics, we sourced table linen, timber serving boards and other ceramics from a variety of Etsy sellers to complete this look! :

Ceramics vessels by Sarah Murray Ceramics
Additional ceramic flatware by Belinda Tee of Belceramics
Ceramic sculptures, candle holders and festive decorations by Sanne Mestrom of LadyGreenCeramics
Timber leaf-shaped serving boards by David Bunic & Carol Jackson of ManualArtsDept
Nutmeg linen tablecloth by Alistair Birrell of Mr Draper

Sarah opened her Etsy store just a few months ago, in June 2016. She describes herself as a  ‘self taught compulsive creator’, with a background in textiles and fibrearts, including feltmaking, spinning and dressmaking. Ceramics have been a long time passion too, but it wasn’t until an open studio class was offered at her local potters society last year, that she really began to pursue ceramics seriously.

Sarah likes to make functional ceramics (cups, beakers, bowls, vases and plates) using both terracotta and stoneware clays. She is obsessed by colour, pattern and texture, and a long-held passion for vintage textiles has influenced her colour palette and style.

To be able to make a business out of something that I love doing is a dream. I feel incredibly lucky. The world of ceramics is vast and I’ve only just scratched the surface.” – Sarah Murray

Sarah will take part in her first market, UNDERCURRENT, in Canberra this month at the National Portrait Gallery, on the 18th, 19th and 20th of November.

Difference Makes Us. Celebrate all that unique-ness. Find what makes you ‘you’. Shop Etsy.com this Christmas.

A 1970’s inspired tablesetting, featuring ceramic plate and bowls by Sarah Murray Ceramics, additional speckled ceramic flat plates by Belinda Tee of Belceramics, ceramic sculpture by Sanne Mestrom of LadyGreenCeramics, timber leaf-shaped serving boards by David Bunic & Carol Jackson of ManualArtsDept, linen tablecloth by Alistair Birrell of Mr DraperBentwood chairs from Thonet. Styling – Lucy Feagins, stylist assistant – Nat Turnbull, Photo –Eve Wilson.