About Me

I’m Shontal, a pottery teacher with 4+ years of experience in ceramics.

I am a passionate ceramic artist based in Stafford, Australia, originally from Jordan, where my love for ceramics first began. I moved to Australia in 2001 and have been exploring the art of pottery ever since.

My Ceramics Journey

My passion for ceramics dates back to my childhood, when I used to accompany my mother to ceramic classes in Jordan. My own journey officially began in May 2021, starting with hand-building techniques, but I quickly became fascinated by throwing on the wheel. I took the bold step of acquiring my own wheel and dedicated myself to perfecting my throwing skills in my home studio.

My dedication to ceramics led me to explore glazing techniques, developing a keen interest in Amaco and Maco glazes. While refining my pottery skills, I unexpectedly found myself drawn back to hand-building, which I now see as a relaxing and therapeutic process.

I use slab hand-building to create unique and beautifully textured mugs, while coil hand-building allows me to craft large, statement bowls.

Learning & Inspiration

I initially studied ceramics at Mas & Meik and Indooroopilly Ceramic Studios in Brisbane, where I learned the fundamentals. As my skills developed, I pursued self-education, exploring different pottery techniques online.

I am particularly inspired by Japanese pottery and have begun incorporating its styles and techniques into my work. I love using matte glazes, experimenting with textures, and applying techniques such as stamping, carving, and sodium silicate applications.

My clay of choice is white stoneware, which I enhance with Iron Oxide and Cobalt Oxide stains, adding depth and character to my designs.

Teaching & Studio Work

I have been teaching pottery for almost a year and a half, helping students develop their own skills and passion for ceramics. My classes have received many 5-star reviews on my other website:
shontalceramic.classbento.com.au.

My artistic journey is one of passion, dedication, and continuous exploration. Each piece I create reflects my love for Japanese influence, rich textures, and unique glazing techniques. I continue to evolve and experiment in my home studio, always striving to create ceramics that are both beautiful and functional.