Some pieces begin long before the clay is touched. This one began years ago with a photograph of a pepper grinder that caught my attention while I was still learning pottery.

In those early days, I found myself looking at everyday objects differently wondering how they were made and imagining how they could be recreated in clay. Restaurants, lamps, tableware, and furniture all became studies in form. I photographed this pepper grinder simply because I hoped that one day I’d have the skill to make it myself.

When I rediscovered that photograph, it felt like the right time. While I explored making it functional, I realised its mechanism couldn’t be recreated entirely in ceramic. Instead, I chose to celebrate the form itself a tribute to the curiosity that marked the beginning of my pottery journey and the progress that made this piece possible.

The flowing blue pattern is drawn freehand, allowing the surface to move naturally around the form and giving it a quiet sense of rhythm. Whether placed in a kitchen, dining space, or among objects collected with care, it stands as a reminder that inspiration often comes from the ordinary and that every maker begins by simply looking a little closer.

Size: H8cm W9cm
Medium: Stoneware
Artist: Pareecca Jaysen