Up close with Rachel Charge
When we first set eyes on these vulva bowls and cups on Instagram, we just knew we had to bring them onto Eat & Sip. To be honest, it wasn't hard to fall in love with the other products in her collection as well! We dm-ed Rachel, and a few months later headed down to Victoria, Australia to collect the products!
Vulva bowls, vulva plates, nipple dishes. Notice a recurring theme?
We met Rachel at a lovely chocolate cafe in Montrose, Hahndorf's Fine Chocolates, that has really good hot chocolate and started bombarding her with questions!
Because its always nice to be able to put a face to the products... And also erm, we forgot to take a photo with her!
Bisqued nipple triangle dish
You must enjoy pottery a lot. What do you love about pottery and ceramics?
I love the quirks or variations of ceramics and how no two pieces are ever the same. They are each their own beautiful little work of art.
I also love that you can’t rush the process and need to slow down and take your time to mindfully make each piece. There is a really lovely connection between the maker and their work which is then passed on to the babes who enjoy them.
A 'work-in-progress' handpinched vulva bowl!
On the flip-side, is there anything you don’t like about pottery then?
When I’m on a tight deadline it can be very nerve-wracking! You never really know if your pieces are going to work out… No matter how hard you try sometimes clay has a mind of its own and will break or crack for no obvious reason. But it’s all part of the clay game and makes the pieces that do work out that much more special.
Bisqued babes! Rachel loves working with clay that has very interesting texture!
We have to say your tableware collection is really really really unique. What was the inspiration behind your tableware line?
The main inspiration for my work is womankind, female empowerment and fertility. I’m also inspired by a sense of nostalgia, magical moments, mother nature, dreams, ritual and the world around me.
Her Eye See You cups caught our 'eye' as well and we couldn't resist ordering a few!
When inspiration hits, we know some potters who would go straight to work on the clay while some doodle or draw out their designs first.
I nearly always sketch out the ideas spinning around in my head but sometimes I do just have a play and see where it leads me. Often my concepts develop further either on paper or during the creation process.
Documenting the processes is so important for ceramics as there are so many variables anyway so it makes it much easier for yourself down the track to document your tests and final pieces.
More bisqued vulva bowls waiting to be glazed and refired!
That will lead us to - what is your go-to making method and your favourite types of clay?
My work is all completely hand built, meaning I make it all by hand using various hand building techniques with no wheel. My favourite clays to work with are raku or those that result in beautiful and interesting textures – my favourites consist of paper, sand and other minerals such as trachyte. All of my pieces are fired to stoneware temperature which is around 1280 degrees Celsius.
Rachel's seer incense holder comes in two variations, one made from sand stoneware and the other, from speckled stoneware
A close up of the stoneware with crushed trachyte, giving it a speckled effect
Pottery seems to be catching on in this era!
I think in this crazy fast paced world there is a real need to slow down and get back to our roots. Working with clay is the perfect example of this. Clay practice is beautifully grounding, connecting your mind and body with the earth in your hands.
I think more and more people are starting to appreciate the time, love and energy that goes into each handmade piece and are wanting to create their own special heirlooms. There is a really mindful, slow movement upon us and a real push to know where things come from, how they are made and who makes them.
Some of her other works
Are there other ceramicists that you follow closely or are inspired by?
I love, love, love ceramic art and there are so many incredible artists out there! A few of my favourites off the top of my head would have to be Pinksoy, Voluptuary Ceramics, Elli Walsh Ceramics, Liv & Dom, Frankie, Amy Leeworthy, Easy To Breathe, Magnolia Mountain, Clay Tribe and Sit Still Lauren Ceramics. All have very different styles but they are all incredible artists.
Love the texture of all her tableware! Touch it and you will fall in love with it too!
Any last words or advice for budding ceramicists?
Be your own muse and embrace your own style! Put yourself out there and remember to be kind to yourself. Art is subjective and not everyone is going to love it but keep at it, keep growing and be your own biggest cheerleader! You can do it!
Milky nipple dishes - a variation of her regular ones!
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PS. Most of the pictures used in this article were taken by Rachel herself.
