From UK Ceramics Graduate to Crafted Clay Market: The NC Creations Story

There is something special about a maker who has found their way back to a craft they love, and that is exactly the story behind NC Creations. We cannot wait to welcome Natalie Crabbe and her beautifully carved candle holders and wax melt burners to Crafted Clay Market on Sunday 4 October.

A Journey Back to Clay

Natalie's relationship with ceramics started long before she arrived in Australia. She completed a bachelor degree in 3D design ceramics in the UK, and after emigrating in 2011, life took over in the way it often does. It was not until more recently that Natalie found her way back to the art form that brings her so much joy.

"I have finally got back into the art that brings me so much joy," Natalie says. Her work draws inspiration from nature and gothic architectural pattern, and she is drawn to just how tactile clay is, and to the close relationship between her hands and the material as she shapes something both beautiful and functional.

The Craft Behind Every Piece

Working from home with stoneware clay, Natalie creates a mix of thrown, handbuilt and slab built pieces. Each of her candle holders is individually carved freehand, a painstaking process that pays off in the way light and shadow play across the surface once a flame is introduced. That level of detail comes at a cost though, the finishing touches such as sponging and glazing take far longer than usual, thanks to the delicate nature of the pieces and the many small spaces that need careful attention.

It is this dedication to detail that gives NC Creations pieces their distinctive character. Customers have told Natalie they love her unique styles and the variety of colourful glazes she works with, and it shows in every carved candle holder and wax melt burner she brings to market.

Sustainability in the Studio

Alongside her focus on craftsmanship, Natalie also weaves sustainability into her practice. She uses eco friendly packaging and reuses packing materials wherever she can, reclaims as much clay as possible to reduce waste, and even times her kiln firings around sunrise so she can make the most of solar energy. It is a thoughtful approach that reflects the same care she puts into every piece she creates.

Balancing Passion and a Full Time Career

Like many small business owners, Natalie balances her ceramics practice around a full time role in government health. She creates on weekends and during evenings throughout the week, and admits she often loses track of time once she gets lost in the process. Having that artistic outlet, she says, is deeply cathartic.

It has not always been an easy path. One of the biggest challenges Natalie has faced as a small business owner is finding the right venue for her stall, given the wide variety of products she makes and how interest in different pieces can shift from one event to the next. Looking ahead, her goals are to keep honing her pottery skills, expand into online sales, and eventually spend less time in her full time job so she can dedicate more time to her ceramics business.

New to Crafted Clay Market

This will be Natalie's first time at Crafted Clay Market, and she is looking forward to meeting fellow ceramicists and connecting with people who truly appreciate the art of pottery. Just being able to create again, she says, feels like an achievement in itself, and being part of a community that shares that passion is something she is genuinely excited about.

Come Say Hello

If you love candles or the warm glow of a wax melt burner, make sure you stop by Natalie's stall on the day. Every piece is carved with intention, made to bring a little more warmth and character into your home.

Find NC Creations at Crafted Clay Market on Sunday 4 October, and follow along on Instagram at @nccreationsau to see more of Natalie's work.