Marion Walsh Clayworks
Marion Walsh Clayworks

Marion Walsh Clayworks

Vendor Biography

I started ceramics in 2001 at night’s school and I fell in love with clay. I was then a full time assistant editor and I found it difficult to fit some creative time in my busy life. However, I much needed it and the 2 hours I spent at the studio every week were truly happy times!!

In 2010 my job came to an end and my husband encouraged me sell my work and in March 2011 I attended my first craft fair, shortly after I opened my first online shop!

In February 2013 a new chapter was started when I bought my very first kiln. Exciting!! And in 2017 I got a little workshop built at the side of my house. I hand build my work, often using a pastry rolling pin to create slabs of clay. I also use coiling and pinching techniques. I use commercial glazes which I apply with a brush.

I find that when I work with clay, time stops and I forget all my worries. In 2022 I found out I was autistic and that totally explained my life’s struggles and why being creative was so important to me. By switching career being self-employed I adjusted my lifestyle to suit my needs without even realising I was autistic!

I love the versatility of clay, especially the potential to produce three-dimensional pieces, either functional or purely decorative. I make animal sculptures, candle and tealight holders, small dishes, vases and wall art – just to name a few. I mostly use stoneware. I fire everything in an electric kiln. All my work is created entirely by me from the original design to the finished product.

Initially my work was solely inspired by the beauty of the natural world but in this shop you’ll mostly find items inspired by steampunk and sci-fi which I have been developing since 2019. I use an array of man-made items to add texture and pattern in the clay, for instance computer components from my old laptop, screws, cogs, stamps, lace etc.