The Re~Connection Collection is a ceramic narrative commenting on the interconnectedness of all things and the beauty that exists in unique expression and individually handcrafted pieces of functional art, while still remaining an essential part of the whole. The pieces were originally inspired by the movement of rivers through the land and the relationship between water and earth, which gives birth to clay that can then be crafted into our ceramics. With this sentiment in mind, we’d very much like to pay our respects to the traditional custodians of the land that we live and create on; the Wulgurukaba people.
Re~Connection; The Collection also speaks to the silver linings of 2020, bringing families back together around the dinner table, and inviting people to pay thoughtful attention to the everyday objects within their homes and their lives. Perhaps taking a moment to consider how our purchases affect the planet and the people that created them, in addition to just our own personal experience using them. As well as inviting us to consider the life force that flows through all humans and all things and ultimately connects us all as equals, in such a divisive time, where so many inequalities have been highlighted, this is something that I absolutely encourage people to think on.
It also definitely encompasses a far more personal narrative for me, having spent nearly 7 years living away from my family, the last couple of which I was travelling internationally and living an incredibly nomadic life that saw me touching down in a new country every couple of months.
This year; the infamous 2020 - perhaps the most collectively challenging in recent times - has been a deeply grounding and connecting time for Mum and myself. My plans to continue skipping whimsically from country to country were derailed and we have found ourselves spending more time together than we have in well over a decade, the result of which has been this collection of ceramics and to be honest, just quite a nice time together, which I am very grateful for (and the privilege of which does not go unnoticed or unappreciated). We have worked very collaboratively to design and create this new collection; which we are incredibly proud of, and are so excited to finally be able to share with you all, our beautiful extended kin.
We truly hope that this extension of our tumblers and mugs into a full set of dining tableware is something that will help to bring more handmade, artful beauty into your homes and your daily life experiences, particularly through this strange section of history that we are living through.
Thank you for being a part of our journey and I hope that you are all keeping safe, well and looking after yourselves, and each other.
Shop Re~Connection; The Collection Here.
Your choice to shop with and support our creations, and us, means the world, as always.
Ceramics by Fiona Banner.
Words + Photography by Suzanne Pilcher.
]]>This first chunk of 2020 has been unexpected and strangely challenging to say the least. But I have noticed a few beautifully inspiring and what seem to be collectively consistent thoughts and words floating around our world. They revolve around 3 big and important things that the entire globe seem to be embracing as one.
The first is the importance of sanctuary; of a safe place to retreat to, to call home and to make into your own haven. The second is the importance of our human connections with one another; of our family and friends and ultimate need to come together in ways that are uplifting and nurturing. And the third is the importance and honouring of the Earth, of time spent in nature and perhaps more than a few of us have been pondering how we as a species choose to impact the world around us, and how we can cautiously come back out of our sanctuaries, and return to the planet differently.
With this sentiment in mind, we introduce you to a collection inspired by the raw material that our ceramics are born from; 'Of The Earth'.
]]>This first chunk of 2020 has been unexpected and strangely challenging to say the least. But I have noticed a few beautifully inspiring and what seem to be collectively consistent thoughts and words floating around our world. They revolve around 3 big and important things that the entire globe seem to be embracing as one.
The first is the importance of sanctuary; of a safe place to retreat to, to call home and to make into your own haven. The second is the importance of our human connections with one another; of our family and friends and ultimate need to come together in ways that are uplifting and nurturing. And the third is the importance and honouring of the Earth, of time spent in nature and perhaps more than a few of us have been pondering how we as a species choose to impact the world around us, and how we can cautiously come back out of our sanctuaries, and return to the planet differently.
With this sentiment in mind, we introduce you to a collection inspired by the raw material that our ceramics are born from; 'Of The Earth'.
Clay that is taken from the planet below our feet, rich with soil to be dug, and gently guided into a new shape by human hands, using ancient techniques that have been mastered over decades of practice. The mud then baked into solid, durable form in collaboration with the element of fire, becomes a functional treasure ready to continue it's journey from our little studio here in North Queensland, into your lovely home.
Next Of Kin exists as an ever-evolving and shifting invitation, in the form of our beautiful ceramic wares, to allow your mind to wander into these wonderings - where do your everyday at-home objects come from? How are you using them to make your life beautiful? How are you choosing to live in harmony with our Earth?
The original and most beautiful artist of life itself - constantly gifting us clay to play with, air to breathe, water to drink and beauty to be both crafted and appreciated.
This collection is a celebration of the Earth.
Made 'Of The Earth'.
Shop The Full Collection Here.
Ceramics by Fiona Banner.
Words + Photography by Suzanne Pilcher.
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When I was 5 years old, my family and I moved from Northern NSW to a place called Townsville in North Queensland, a coastal town that is a gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.
I spent my childhood years endlessly in and out of the great, healing, mysterious, soothing body of water that is the Pacific Ocean.
I believe that with each visit to the shores, each snorkelling adventure out to witness the beauty of the underwater rhythms of life and each bob over every sneaky little wave, the ocean slowly wove itself into the core of my being.
There is the obvious beauty of the ocean yes. The salty air, the ever-shifting colours of the shoreline, the soothing sound of the waves, the cleansing air.
But beneath this, there are the subtleties that are created from the way that the light ever-so-slightly shifts from one piece of coral to the next. The way that the ripples and textures of the sand are perfectly placed on a still morning, as if some hand had painted those lines in, but totally disrupted and awash in chaos within half an hour as a tropical storm rolls in. The plethora of incredible life that is teeming beneath the surface, playing out an ancient story of watery drama.
This collection of handcrafted ceramic vessels is an ode to these; the often overlooked nuances of the beauty that is alive within the oceans on our incredible planet.
Of course, there is nuanced beauty hidden all around us, in every moment of every day, under the water, and above it.
With this new collection, we invite you to celebrate the subtle beauty of the natural world, which, by some miracle, includes you. As you quieten your mind, sit down with your tea and slowly sip whatever life-affirming liquid you've filled your cup with.
There is no denying that we are in the midst of a climate crisis and that the way we consume and view ourselves and our species' interaction with the world around us needs to shift. Change starts in individual minds, with individual actions. Don't feed into the fear, contemplate the intrinsic beauty and the power that you have to change the storyline we are running. With your views, your beliefs and your actions moment-to-moment.
See the art all around you, celebrate the beauty. Make conscious choices.
Your conscious choice to shop with and support us means the world, as always x
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Ceramics handmade by Fiona Banner
Words + photography by Suzanne Pilcher
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You may have heard about the recent floods in Townsville, North Queensland, where our studio is located and where Fiona (aka Mum) lovingly handcrafts every single Next of Kin product.
In an effort to contribute to the disaster relief, we have decided to release a mini drop of mugs online from the 'Colours Of The Coastline Collection'. $5 from each sale will go towards flood relief in Townsville.
We are so, so thankful that our studio was not affected by the floods but many people in our community (including close friends of ours) have lost their entire homes and all their possessions. It has been a devastating and heartbreaking few weeks for North Queensland and the aftermath just seems to reveal more and more tragedy.
But North Queenslanders are resilient (like our little mugs here) and we will rebuild! The collection is very small for now (only 20 available) as it has been quite difficult for mum to coordinate this amidst the clean-up efforts but we may release more soon if we can. Your support is greatly appreciated!! (+ you will get one of these gems to keep and love for the rest of your days) WIN-WIN.
Shop the Coastline Connection mini series here.
Love Suzanne x
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Introducing the Limited Edition Citrus Ochres Mug. ~~
A fresh take on our Original mug; featuring a tonal-grey flecked glaze spattered with orange and inspired by all things citrus. Created in the Summer and designed to be sipped from on long, balmy afternoons as the sun slants lazily through window panes and day fades slowly into night.
Shop the Citrus Ochres Mug here
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Come along and see us at the Royal Exhibition Building from July 14-16.
In addition to the Original Next of Kin mug, at The Finders Keepers AW17 markets, we will present to you 'The Slow Seasons' - a tableware collection inspired by Autumn/Winter, designed and made exclusively for sale at Finders Keepers.
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This week we have partnered with the lovely folk over at Interval; womenswear label based in Sydney, Australia. Launched in November 2015, Interval’s designs are characterised by a sense of understated elegance, paired with quality fabrics and interest detailing.
Interval's ethos draws from the simplicity of a moment in time, a space in between. Amongst the surrounding chaos, it is a place for you to take a break; it is your interlude.
Together with Interval we bring you this dreamy edit and encourage you to slow down today and pay attention to those quiet spaces in-between the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Head on over to the @_interval_ Instagram today for your chance to win two Original Next of Kin mugs.
Ceramics : Fiona Banner
Clothing : Interval
Photography : Suzanne Pilcher
]]>This is a story about mundane moments infused with real-life magic.
A slow story.
A story about looking closer. A story about little pieces of appreciation. A story about the everyday alchemy that is in almost everything we see and touch. It is a story about mud. About motion. About handmade creation.
This isn't a story actually - just a little reminder of the little things.
It's all magic really, when you look at it.
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There's Magic in the Mundane
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Ceramics by Fiona Banner
Photography by Emma O'brien
Videography by Katika Hovorka
Creative Direction & Editing by Suzanne Pilcher
Model: Lauren Gribble
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