Go with the flow

Flow Studio’s Staci Coble shapes her clay using the gentle currents of the ocean as her muse

- Caroline Moratti

Out on the shimmering blue waters of Tāmaki Makaurau, Staci Coble dreams up the most beautiful bowls and vases. “I have a deep love and respect for the ocean and love to surf, which is where I tend to draw inspiration for my work,” she says. On land, Staci is the founder of Flow Studio Ceramics, specialising in handmade bespoke pieces that are largely wheel thrown. Flow Studio isn’t just a name but an ethos too, a laissez-faire approach to life and clay.

“What’s great about ceramics is there’s always a lesson to be learned,” she says. “Most importantly though, I’ve found that being flexible is key— whether it’s with time, plans or preparation. Things happen beyond your control and you have to go with the flow.” From wavy candelabras to glossy trinket bowls, Staci weaves the natural world around her into her work. You might have seen her ethereal pieces on homewares shop shelves around Auckland, as well as being a stockist on our new online marketplace, shop.yourhomeandgarden.co.nz

How did you end up working with clay? 

I started working with clay when I was six years old at after-school programmes, then I took ceramics courses years later. About two years ago, I quit my 9-5 job to take a break from burnout and started teaching at The Clay Centre where I’d been taking classes as a creative outlet after work. From there, I took the plunge into doing ceramics full-time and haven’t looked back.

Can you provide insight into the techniques and processes that go into hand-throwing each piece?