About

Jenn Johnston

I am a ceramicist living and working on Bundjalung Country in Mullumbimby, NSW. After a career in health research and policy, I discovered clay and never looked back - building my home studio, developing my practice, and establishing a wholesale network over several years before moving to full-time making in 2021.

Working primarily with a range of hand building techniques, I create refined, elegant ceramics that sit between function and art. My work is deeply influenced by the landscape of the Northern Rivers region, alongside my appreciation of Japanese aesthetics and mid-century modern design. Each piece that leaves my studio is made with care and consideration - a standard I hold at the heart of my practice.

My work is stocked in galleries and design stores across Australia and internationally, and is collected by customers who return to it again and again. I take quiet pride in making pieces that become a lasting part of people's homes and daily lives.

Values

Sustainability + Community

Sustainable production + consumption

Minimising the environmental impact of my practice is something I think about every day - in the pieces I design, the materials I use, and the way I run my studio.

Energy:
My studio runs on solar, powered by a 10kW system and supported by a 55kW battery that together cover my electricity needs. Where possible, I am moving toward designs that require only a single firing, significantly reducing the energy used to produce each piece.

Water:
All water used in the studio is rainwater collected on site.

Clay:
All clay scraps and offcuts are reclaimed and reused, minimising waste at every stage of production.

Packaging:
I am committed to eco-friendly packaging throughout. Orders are packed using honeycomb paper (made from FSC certified, renewable sources). Pieces are further protected during shipping with 100% biodegradable cornstarch packaging. Where possible, the boxes used to pack and ship orders are repurposed from other local businesses.

Small Batch Production + Product Longevity:
Every piece is made in small batches, reducing the risk of overproduction and ensuring each one receives the time and attention it deserves. I believe the most sustainable object is one that is loved and used for years - made well enough to become a fixture in someone's home rather than something to be replaced.

Community

Working with clay has been integral to me finding my community and I am thrilled that, in turn, clay has helped me to contribute to our wider community.

Each month I donate 5% of profits from retail sales made via my online store to a not-for-profit or charity which are working to create positive change. Via this initiative I have donated to organisations as diverse as UNHCR, Oz Harvest and the Indigenous Literacy Foundation. 

I am pleased to donate pieces to local organisations and fundraisers, such as those working to provide support to members of our local community in the aftermath of the flood events in early 2022. Following these floods, I coordinated ‘Pottery for the People’. Potters and ceramic artists from around Australia were invited to donate mugs, cups, plates, vases and other functional pieces so that those who lost their possessions in the floods were able to experience the joy of handcrafted beauty as they rebuild their lives. The response to this callout was heart-warming, and we were able to pass on pieces to many people around the region.