Shaping Stories in Clay: Discover 4 Elements at Crafted Clay Market

When Jodie Mellows first sat at a potter’s wheel three and a half years ago, she wasn’t looking to start a business. She was searching for stillness. What began as a simple mindfulness practice quickly became a passion and then a creative outlet she couldn’t step away from.

Ceramics, for Jodie, is more than just making objects out of clay. It has become a grounding practice, one that continues to teach her patience, surrender, and the beauty of transformation. Those lessons now live in her brand, 4 Elements, a small but growing ceramics practice that she hopes will one day be her full-time focus.

This September, Jodie will bring her work to the Crafted Clay Market on Sunday 28th September 2025 at South Perth Community Hall from 11 am to 4 pm. 

The event celebrates 30 of Perth’s most talented ceramic artists, with a live wheel-throwing demonstration, a free hand-building workshop, live music, and food trucks. It’s a day designed to showcase the beauty and versatility of clay—and for Jodie, it’s a chance to share her journey with the community.

A Mindfulness Practice That Became a Calling

Like many creative stories, Jodie’s begins with curiosity. “I came to clay three and a half years ago,” she explains. “I began ceramics as a mindfulness practice, a way to slow down and be present.”

Clay’s ability to demand attention—how it pulls you into the moment, how it requires patience—was exactly what she needed. “It quickly grew into a passion and then into a hobby I couldn’t stop. Clay taught me patience, surrender, and the beauty of transformation—lessons that continue to shape both my work and my life.”

What started as an experiment with mindfulness has become a foundation for her creativity and a business that is slowly stepping into its own.  

The Making Process

All of Jodie’s pieces are wheel-thrown and refined by hand in her studio in Boorloo (Perth). She works with different clay bodies and uses a mix of glazes that often highlight contrast—raw clay against flowing glaze, dark against light, matte against gloss. 

Most pieces are kiln-fired, though Jodie recently expanded her practice by completing a pit-firing course. This ancient firing method allows flame and smoke to leave unpredictable markings on the surface of a piece, giving every item its own distinct, unrepeatable character.

The process of creating her ceramics is slow and deliberate. “The process can take weeks from start to finish, with each stage needing time, care, and patience,” Jodie explains. The results include large statement vases and platters—pieces designed to carry presence and hold space—alongside functional ware such as cups, bowls, and serving dishes.

Success in the Everyday

For Jodie, success isn’t measured in sales targets or awards. Instead, it’s found in the quiet, everyday rituals of her customers. “Every time someone tells me they use one of my pieces daily, whether it’s a morning coffee cup or a platter shared at a gathering, I feel like I’ve succeeded,” she says.

The idea that her work becomes part of people’s lives, whether in the comfort of morning routines or in moments of celebration, is what keeps her motivated to continue creating.

Like many artists, Jodie balances her creative drive with the realities of running a small business. “Balancing creativity with the demands of running a business is the biggest challenge,” she admits. “It’s difficult to hold space for experimentation and growth while also keeping up with production, markets, and administration.”

But even with these challenges, 4 Elements is no longer just a hobby. It’s a side practice that Jodie hopes will one day become her main focus. “I realised that clay was more than a creative outlet—it was a path that grounded me.”

Sustainability and Purpose

Another important aspect of Jodie’s practice is sustainability. She reclaims and recycles clay wherever possible, ensuring that very little waste leaves her studio. Her work is also designed to last, encouraging customers to buy less and choose well. In a world of mass production and disposable goods, these values form the heart of her business.

As 4 Elements continues to grow, Jodie has her eyes set on bigger creative projects. “I want to continue developing my larger statement pieces—vases and platters that hold presence and carry the energy of the elements,” she shares.

She also hopes to expand into exhibitions and collaborations, bringing her ceramics to wider audiences while staying connected to the grounding, mindful nature of the practice that first drew her to clay.

Meet 4 Elements at Crafted Clay Market

Markets hold a special place in Jodie’s journey. They are not just a place to sell but a space to connect. “Markets create a chance to meet people face-to-face, share the story behind the work, and see the instant connection people have when they hold a piece in their hands,” she says.

She loves the sense of community that comes from being part of a market—the camaraderie among makers and the support of customers who value local creativity.

On Sunday 28th September 2025, you can meet Jodie and explore her collection at the Crafted Clay Market at South Perth Community Hall. The event will feature 30 ceramicists showcasing the diversity of clay, from functional pieces to sculptural works. Visitors can also enjoy live wheel-throwing demonstrations, join a free clay hand-building workshop, relax with live music, and grab a bite from local food trucks.

It’s more than a market—it’s a celebration of clay in all its forms. And for Jodie, it’s an opportunity to share her story, her work, and her belief that ceramics can bring grounding, beauty, and presence into our lives.

You can follow Jodie’s journey and explore her latest creations on Instagram at @4elements_jam.