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Image by Taylor Heery

Wild Nature Clay

All things clay in creative ways

A UNIQUE MOUNTAINTOP STUDIO

Wild Nature Clay is a small, privately owned and operated ceramics studio located in the beautiful Verdue Valley, near Upper Main Arm, Mullumbimby.    

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Meet Ben Ruble 

Ben Ruble works as an artist and small business owner of Wild Nature Clay. He has a devoted passion for claywork, since he discovered it in 1997, while taking a Pottery 101 University Class, at first just for “fun”.  He’s developed his talents proficiently on the wheel, and is self-taught in sculpting more artistic forms.   He’s also been a qualified school teacher with over 17 years experience in both public and private settings, teaching grades K-8 in America and Australia.  

 

As a resident artist for 3 years with Richard Carter in Pope Valley, Napa, California, Ben learned more traditional wood-firing pottery methods in large Anagama and Naborigama Kilns.  Working with teams of up to 15 others who stoked these kilns for 7 days at a time until wood ash melted into glaze, he learned the value of teamwork and the magic of this ancient firing method..

Handmade Ceramic Dinnerware

Made from locally sourced “Wild” clay

MOST POPULAR

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Workshop & Lessons

Ben also offers pottery lessons and workshops to adults and children of all skill levels.  Whether you are looking to create on the wheel, hand-build, sculpt, or make moulds, Ben will help you develop all things in clay.  

 

Weekend workshops include primitive pit firing, and Raku-fired ceramics, with a community vibe and discounts for families.

Private lessons with up to 3 students. 
Functional Wheel, Handbuilding, Sculpture, and Mold-Making. I can accomodate any levels and share my passion for clay with you. 

 

Come get inspired through making objects in clay, in a relaxed, natural rainforest setting with beautiful views.

Kiln Hire

I offer my kiln hire service to individuals who have made their clay creations from home or elsewhere, and need an experienced kiln technician to fire it for them.

With 2 gas kilns, I can accomodate most shapes and sizes up to 1M in height. I treat your work as if it were mine, in carefully firing slowly for thicker pieces (with deeply embedded water molecules), ensuring explosions do not occur during the first stages of a “Bisque” fire.

I can fire to all temperatures in oxidation or reduction, up to 1300

Image by Viviane Okubo

INSPIRED CREATOR

Ben has become a recent author in the book, Inspired Creators, Embracing the Magic of Your Soul Mission ( Hille House Publishing Co.),  and his chapter describes how he found his purpose in life through many tough lessons, as well as magical moments, all the while staying devoted to his passion for working with clay.

 This book is available on Kindle and Amazon, launching November 11, 2022.

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