Elizabeth Bell Ceramics

ON May 4 and 5 Elizabeth Bell Ceramics will open the doors to their new studio, retail and classroom spaces at the Fyansford Paper Mills.

Owner Elizabeth Bell and her husband Jordan have designed and renovated the space themselves.

“We’ve leaned into the rustic beauty that’s already here and letting the building speak, then just upgraded it a little bit to make it more user friendly and accessible,” Ms Bell said.

She said when they were looking for a commercial space, the character of the building is what stood out to her.

“I didn’t just want it to be any old concrete warehouse. It had to be something that had really beautiful character and history, and I’m ok with the quirks that come with an 1870s building.

“It’s a really beautiful space to work from. It’s inspiring and calming; I can hear the river in the background.”

A big part of the business is running classes and workshops, with the new location separating the classroom from the retail space and studio.

“Separating me in the classroom was important as well because it means I can work and the classes can continue going during the day,” Ms Bell said.

“There can be a class on and they’re having a great time down there and I can be upstairs doing my own thing.”

The two-day grand opening will include demonstrations and tours, inviting the public to come into the new space.

Ms Bell previously lived in London where she trained as a potter, did her apprenticeship and started teaching before moving back to Australia.

The mother of two started her business in 2019 when she was pregnant with her daughter and has been working out of her home studio in Geelong West ever since.

“The home-based business was great while I was in and out of maternity leave and in and out of lockdowns,” she said.

“But I had definitely outgrown that space at home, and I am really enjoying physically going to work and not just being at home all the time.”

Ms Bell said there were two things she loves about creating ceramics.

“It’s just an amazing way to switch off and get off your phone and just get in your own zone.

“The second is I really love someone finding a product and they beeline for it and go this is what I’ve been thinking of.”

All of the products that she makes are functional including cups, bowls, oil bottles and more.

The grand opening will run from 10am until 3pm across both days.