Sarah Brabbin

Sarah Brabbin Art

Sheffield, South Yorkshire,

United Kingdom



Artist Statement
Ay up! I’m Sarah. I handbuild one-of-a-kind ceramic sculptures inspired by all things wild and ‘squee.’ I just love working with clay and put my passion for nature, wildlife, wellbeing, and spirituality into one big therapeutic melting pot, then shove it all (carefully) into the kiln. My wish is for everyone who has a piece of my work to feel the love and healing power of nature every time they look at it, feel it ,or boop its nose.

Studio Description
Based on the edge of the Pennines in South Yorkshire, England, I'm surrounded by nature and wildlife. Using this as my inspiration my workshop is my peaceful place where I bring things to life.

What type of clay do you use?
Mostly stoneware, but also earthenware

What temperature do you fire to?
This varies, depending on which clay I'm using, and whether I'm going to fire them in the electric kiln or the raku kiln.

What is your primary forming method?
I hand build all of my work.

What is your favorite surface treatment?
I love the effects achieved with raku.

Do you make any of your own tools?
I've made my own signature stamp from clay.

What one word would you use to describe your work?
Smooth

What is your favorite thing about your studio?
It's outdoors, yet sheltered—my favorite place to be.

What is the one thing in your studio you can’t live without?
Paint brushes

What are your top three studio wishes?
That it was bigger, warmer in winter, and cooler in summer! Like a lot of fellow ceramicists I should imagine!

What’s on your current reading list?
I tend not to read books because I'd rather be making, so instead I have audio books. I'm currently listening to Keith Brymer Jones' book - Boy in a China Shop

How do you save money on materials and supplies?
I recycle my clay and collect the rainwater from my garden. I have an economical electric kiln, which I always make sure is full before firing!

How do you recharge creatively?
Go for a walk somewhere in nature—usually woodlands or moorlands.

Do you have any DIY tips for studio efficiency?
Having a board with all the timings for when I need to have pieces created by has been a brilliant organizational tool for me.

What challenges have you given yourself to overcome?
Everything to do with ceramics is a challenge. I started my journey late in 2021, so it's a constant learning curve, but I love it.

What did you first piece look like?
I'm not sure I can say what it looked like haha! Safe to say it went in the recycling bucket of doom.

What ceramic superpower would you have and why?
Can you imagine being able to fire clay with your bare hands? Now that would be awesome.

What area of skill do you most look to other artists to learn?
All of the skills, all of the artists!

Who is your ceramic art mentor and why?
I don't have any one person, I learn so much from everyone.

What is your studio playlist?
I tend to listen to podcasts about art and business in the studio, but more often than not I just enjoy the birds singing.

Why do you create art?
I can't help it, it's like a compulsion.

Who is your favorite artist and what do you admire about that artist?
Oh, how can I answer that! It's a cop-out I know, but I don't have a favorite, how can I when there's so much talent in the world?!

What is your best studio tip?
When things get frustrating, go for a walk. Don't give up.

If you could change one property of clay, what would it be?
I do worry about its environmental credentials, but other than that, I love it as it is.
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