River Ceramics is a handmade ceramics studio founded and run by Jolene Hewison, a designer-maker who discovered her passion for clay in 2018 after a career in architectural design. Working from her tree-bound studio in the coastal town of Margaret River, Jolene creates functional and sculptural pieces that blend beauty, texture, and everyday usability, inspired by natural elements, patterns, light, and the region’s forests and rivers.
Her work emphasises playful exploration, using techniques like Sgraffito (self-taught and signature-style carving through slips), wild clay slips, underglazes, and glazes. Collections include:
- Hana: Whimsical, floral-inspired tableware with scalloped edges and poppy motifs.
- Boheme: Bohemian arches, drifts, and golden accents in mugs, platters, and vases.
- Moonglade: Simple, elegant cups evoking moonlight on water, in soft jades, emeralds, and sages.
- Colina: Textural bowls, cups, and vases in wild blues, greens, and earthy tones.
Offerings range from practical tableware (mugs, bowls, serving platters, teapots, jugs) to whimsical sculptures featuring woodland creatures and narrative characters from collections like “Into the Woods.”
Beyond the online shop, River Ceramics fosters creativity through local workshops, multi-day fully catered Creative Clay Retreats (perfect for unwinding in beautiful surroundings), private classes, and comprehensive online courses for beginners to advanced makers.
Jolene’s accolades include winning the Margaret River Art Prize in 2022, features in The Journal of Australian Ceramics, Peppermint Magazine, and more. Select sculptural works are available at Yallingup Galleries, and she often participates in the Margaret River Region Open Studios event.
A celebration of mindful making, texture, and reconnecting with creativity, River Ceramics brings soulful, handcrafted pieces to homes and tables—ideal for those seeking unique, nature-inspired ceramics from the heart of Western Australia’s stunning south west.
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