Ceramic fans unite in festive challenge

WHEN ceramicist Shelby Sherritt purchased a second-hand pottery wheel, she also became the custodian of the previous owner’s collection of mystery moulds.

“I didn’t know what they were, but I thought, maybe there’s some quirky and cool stuff in there. I’ll take them home, pour each of them up and see what happens,” she said.

“On the way home, I decided to start a video series where I reveal what each one is. I posted about it that night and it went viral.”

Approaching 25 December, Sherritt got a friend to sort through the moulds to find Christmas-themed pieces so reveal videos offered seasonal surprises.

One of those moulds produced an ornament of Santa sitting on the moon.

“I was pouring these throughout December. I didn’t have enough time to put them online, sell them, and have them arrive in time to be on people’s Christmas trees this year,” she said.

Aware that many of her almost-70,000 Instagram followers are based in Ballarat, Sherritt set up a hunt around the city, hiding 11 decorated ornaments at various locations for her community to find.

The Arch of Victory, Yarrowee Trail, Sturt Street’s reindeer installation and gold monument, the Botanical Gardens, Sovereign Hill, the Olympic precinct, Black Hill lookout, Mr Jones Dining, the Royal Oak Hotel, and Mount Buninyong were spots fans rushed to, in the hope of adding some festive Shelby Sherritt flair to their home.

“It was my intention to give back to the people that live here, have supported and been there for me, bring a little bit of joy and have some fun,” she said.

“That way, the ornaments would find a tree in time for this Christmas, instead of waiting until next year.”

With an original plan to go out and collect any that were undiscovered a week later, Sherritt was overwhelmed by how quickly her followers took up the challenge.

“Within two hours of posting my clue video, they were all found which totally blew me away because it was a summer night of torrential rain and I thought people would go looking the next day,” she laughed.

“People said it brought them so much joy. When some went into town to look, they connected with other people that follow me. Others took their kids out and enjoyed it, even if they didn’t find one.”

Sherritt is aware of nine of the 11 ornament finders, receiving photos and Tik Tok videos of their discoveries.

She continues to produce her Revealing Mystery Moulds I found on Gumtree series on Instagram at @shelby.sherritt.art, Tik Tok at @shelbysherrittart, and on YouTube at bit.ly/3nZfmEB.

Approaching easter, she may coordinate another hunt, and is exploring the idea of travelling further afield to hide ceramics in Geelong or Bendigo.

“It did bring so much joy, and the fact that so many people had a go and missed out makes me want to do it again.”