Curious Squirrel Designs

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Canberra, ACT
Curious Squirrel Designs

Curious Squirrel Designs is a Canberra-based ceramics studio specializing in contemporary and minimalistic handmade ceramic homewares and jewellery.

07/10/2026

Choosing stock for a market is always a bit of a guessing game.

My current range has almost 50 different pieces, across varying sizes and glazes so deciding what makes it onto the market table is quite the process.

Every market has a different audience, and I find myself trying to think like a buyer. What will they be looking for when they walk past my table?

Do I focus on bespoke pieces for entertaining and setting the table? Everyday mugs and bowls? Smaller pieces that make easy gifts?

Most often, the answer is a combination of all three. The tricky part is working out the ratio and, perhaps more importantly, how much of each to make.

There’s always a bit of guesswork involved. Too much of one thing and I’ll inevitably wish I’d made more of another. And with almost 50 pieces and countless variations of those to choose from, there are a lot of decisions to make! 😅

30/09/2026

Exploring the relationship between form, surface and glaze in my work this year.

From the repetition of carved patterns to the delicate impressions of woven textures, these platters are a reminder that the character of a piece comes from more than its surface alone.

The shape, the texture and the balance of the glaze all contribute to the way a piece feels, and how these elements come together is what makes each one unique.

Which one is your favourite? 🤍

24/09/2026

I grew up watching my mum make jewellery from bread dough. Yes, actual bread dough.

It was an 1980s craft and Mum actually had a small business making and selling it. After a busy day raising the four of us, she would spend evenings sitting at the table my dad had made for her, a desk lamp beside her and the TV on in the background, assembling these intricate little pieces.

I’ve just come back from a short trip home, to the house I grew up in, and all these memories came flooding back. Memories of my parents making things, and of all the creativity that surrounded us.

I think I just took it for granted. I assumed everybody grew up in a family with painters, photographers, bakers, people who sewed, crafters and woodworkers.

It’s actually not too surprising that, all these years later, I’ve found myself navigating my way back to making things with my hands.

What an inspiring childhood I had. I just didn’t realise it at the time.

Happy Friday x

07/09/2026

I so love making substantial pieces for the table.

As with any ceramics, there’s so much that can go wrong at every stage of making. With a large piece, the risk somehow feels higher as there’s simply more at stake.

But when you open the kiln and find a large piece has made it through every stage perfectly, the feeling is indescribable.

That moment is one of the great joys of making ceramics.

Happy Tuesday x

31/08/2026

Back to making mugs this week while spring springs outside 🌱

Handbuilt in Lake Blue, with a textured pattern I’ve been using lately.

It definitely feels like the first day of spring here in Canberra, with blossoms blossoming, baby birds chirping and hayfever symptoms throughout our house! 😂

26/08/2026

A little labour of love 🤍

I’ve made these glaze dots on a few pieces now, but this is the first time they’ve found their way onto one of my side plates. The soft, organic shape of the plate paired with the quiet rhythm of the dots, one tiny dot at a time.

24/08/2026

I made a few of these little sets for my last market and they all found new homes. I remember thinking at the time that I really should keep one for myself but somehow I didn’t.

We hosted a taco night on the weekend and, as I was putting out the sour cream and salsa, I suddenly realised these would have been absolutely perfect.

I do keep plenty of my own pieces, but apparently I missed the memo on this one. Definitely making another set for myself next time!

Happy Tuesday x

19/08/2026

One of the little mysteries from last weekend’s market was these small ceramic plates. 😊

People kept asking what they’re for.

For me, I like to use them as jewellery dishes.

What would you use one for?

17/08/2026

At the market last weekend, there was one thing I couldn’t stop noticing.

People kept reaching for the same spot on my wrap pieces. Almost every person who picked one up would instinctively run their fingers over the wrap seam. They’d trace it, turn it over, explore it.

That seam was one of the very first design features I created when I started working with clay.

From the beginning, I knew I was drawn to handbuilding. I wanted to make organic forms, but I also wanted to make round ones. Not because wheel throwing wasn’t an option, it just wasn’t the path that felt right for me.

The wrap seam became my answer. It’s my way of saying, this was hand built. Slabs wrapped into circles. Carefully joined. Intentionally left visible. I wanted the construction to be part of the design, not something to hide.

15/08/2026

Thank you to Canberra Potters for a fabulous event yesterday. It was wonderful to see so many people enthusiastically celebrating pottery, whether they were taking a class, watching demonstrations, visiting the open studios or browsing the market.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who stopped by my stall, whether you purchased a piece, paused to admire the work, or simply stayed for a chat about my process and the inspiration behind my ceramics. Those conversations are one of my favourite parts of market days.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend! x

Address

Canberra, ACT

Website

https://www.curioussquirreldesigns.com.au/

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