So, we’re coaxing some of the Barn Market makers, designers, artisans and creatives
out of their studios to share their unique stories and passions behind those objects we call handmade.
We're incredibly proud of the prodigious talent they share with us at each and every Barn Market.
Sarah Woodward is the energy and drive behind Sea Soul Studio. Not only are her pieces incredibly beautiful, they are also very tactile and reveal an intimate connectedness with, and passion for, the stunning corner of Tasmania she calls home.
What was the
inspiration and drive behind Sea Soul Studio?
As most creative
types would agree, the urge to design and make is an incredibly strong force
within us, sometimes surpassing the urge to eat and sleep! After deciding to
leave the frantic world of cheffing and allow myself to really BE and create
from that place, Sea Soul Studio was born.
Even though it is my business, it is hugely personal because what I
create are little pieces of my experience of life. My designs are influenced
heavily by our lives in our lovely old cottage by the sea as well as our
roadtrips, travel and general wanderlust.
What attracted you to
working with clay?
Well, its mud pies
for adults, really, isn’t it? I have
been working with clay for about 4 years now and I am still in awe of it’s
versatility, you can create almost any form you can imagine. Whether or not
that form holds up to the stresses of drying and firing is a completely
different story, let’s just say I have a rather large “mosaic” stash.
You have described
yourself as having a “bowerbird nature”, does that influence your work at Sea
Soul Studio?
Every day! Points of
inspiration come from the most unexpected places, and I’ve learnt never to
force it. I’ve been thinking recently about a new range of jewellery for Winter
and was coming up blank for a few weeks, then I found a piece of pressed tin
panelling and held and looked at it for ages, I just loved the pattern and
texture. So, there will be a brooch in homage to this and a ring inspired by
ceiling roses! So, this is how a new
collection is started.
Can you describe a
major challenge you have had to overcome to create Sea Soul Studio?
RSI! As I was winding
down the hospitality career, I had awful pain in my hands and wrists
(tenosynovitis in my left, which meant I couldn’t even move my thumb. At
all.) I almost had surgery but decided
if I was going to do this whole life-balance-live-my-true-
What can we expect to
see in the future for Sea Soul Studio?
I am so excited about
branching out from fine porcelain jewellery and creating some beautiful, earthy
homewares. So far there are dishes and spoons of varying sizes, some for
special purposes such as the Thorne Cottage Cheese Dish (named after our
house), which is the perfect size for a wheel of brie and can be popped in the
oven if it happened to be one of those yummy prosciutto wrapped specimens.
My hubby-to-be has
built me a fabulous new slab roller, so I’m looking forward to making some big
platters in coming months, all ready for sitting around the fire and eating
antipasto off, whilst sipping mulled wine out of old silver goblets.
Thanks Sarah! Keep an eye out for Sarah and Sea Soul Studio at the Barn Market.
