Ms Kesby found her passion for wood firing around three decades ago and hasn’t looked back. 

“Around the time I started, there were a number of electric and gas firers but as soon as I tried wood firing I knew that was it, I was smitten with it,” she said. 

Ms Kesby creates unique functional tableware and no two pieces are ever the same.

“The beauty of wood firing is how you can place a number of works in the kiln and they come out different and unique because of the direction of the flames and the ash. The fly ash can land on the glaze and create different looks to the work.”

The two wood fired kilns that Ms Kesby uses, the Anagama and Bourry, get up to 1300 degrees celsius and can be firing for 26 to 70 hours at a time, requiring 24/7 work to keep the fire going.

“The longer the fire burns, the more beautiful the result because of the bond that is formed between the clay and the glaze.”

Ms Kesby sources all of the resources used to make the clay, and the wood for the firing, from the local area. 

“It’s important to support local growers and businesses and this is a way that I can do that.”

Ms Kesby has been holding an open studio each year for around 30 years and said it’s a way the community can see what’s involved in making the ceramics. 

“I’ve bulit up a supportive customer base over the years and by opening the studio up I can show people what work is involved with making the items.”

“My work is always evolving and changing and each piece is so unique, they’re always great presents for birthdays and Christmas.”

“The open studio is also a social occasion and for people to learn the story behind wood firing,” Ms Kesby said. 

The open studio will be held on December 1 from 10am to 4pm and Sunday December 2 from 10am to 2pm at 38 Lily Lane, South Kempsey. Contact Jann Kesby on 0417-678-589 for more information.

You can check out more work by Jann Kesby Ceramics on her website.