Taking a positive step forward

by Ness Lockyer

Over the last few weeks I’ve been doing some planning, mainly on getting more regular at posting here, and on my social platforms aside from Instagram. There’s been a lot happening with Instagram, and creatives are not liking it. Being made to pay for posts to be seen, or your posts are hidden is one of the main things people aren’t happy about. Impressions have dropped for most businesses, even the huge accounts. It’s really sad as it started as such a great platform, and has been great for a long time…until the last year.

So, I have started a TikTok account (you won’t ever see me dancing or lip syncing there though!), as well as my YouTube channel. These will be some great add ons to my blog, Pinterest, Facebook and VERO accounts.

I’ve also made a decision to catch up with my newsletter subscribers each Tuesday. If you haven’t signed up yet, the pop up form will show on my website page HERE. That way you would know to be expecting a little hello from me each Tuesday.

I did want to show you my new Watercolour Tea Cups on the top shelf here that I recently released. I’ve been playing with the technique to get it to have that painted on look, and I’m really happy with how they turned out. I’d love to hear what you think.

I feel like there is so much to show you, like the Hannah Latte Mugs. Each one hand painted by me. I love how they are each that little bit different. I’ve also made some Everything Bowls to match, and they have been both received so well.
I’ll be looking forward to tomorrows kiln unloading as I have some brand new pieces that I can’t wait to see.

In the meantime, I’d love to hear what you would like to see here on the blog. I plan on sharing behind the scenes, what I’m up to, what jobs we have on the go around the farm with renovations, calligraphy, recipes, styling and some diy…a bit of everything really.

I can’t wait to share more with you.
– Ness xx

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How I use handmade, vintage, antique and second hand in the farmhouse.

by Ness Lockyer

The crisp Autumn air has certainly hit the farm lately, and I’ve been finding myself creating little cozy corners to draw, and create in.

This spot in our living room has nothing grand in it at all – a wing back chair I bought for $10, and slipcovered. An old sideboard I picked up years ago for $5, repaired and painted. A little stool that was found at a flea market for a few dollars. Curtains I hand sewed from drop cloths. My own handmade ceramics, a wreath I made, and my own artwork. The only things purchased new here are the sheepskin, books, lamp and basket. Everything else is vintage from second hand stores.

I love decorating this way. I watched my Mum collect old and unloved pieces all my life. She would then sand or paint them, and Dad would repair anything that was damaged or missing. It was a wonderful way to learn how to furnish a home. The first home Mic and I had together at 19 years of age, was nothing but old and second hand. We still have some of those pieces today!

I’ve never really followed trends. I decorated with what I love.

It’s pretty much how Marley & Lockyer got started. Being frustrated at all of the mass produced homewares that I’ve never cared for, and wanting things that are beautiful, and useful. So, I made my own. Items to go from oven to table, look lovely on a shelf, and can be put into the dishwasher when your done.
Pretty much everything in our kitchen is Marley & Lockyer, handmade, or vintage and antique. We only keep what we use, so there’s never a shelf of unused or “save for a special occasion” pieces here. It’s all used and loved everyday.

I’m always so intrigued by how others incorporate second hand, vintage and antique pieces into their home along with handmade items.

So, I’d love to hear what you have done.
– Ness xx

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How the Hare Wreath Mugs have evolved, and why…

by Ness Lockyer

The Hare Wreath mug was needing a redesign as I’ve been making it since May 2018, so recently I set about to do just that. I spent quite some time hand carving the cute Hare in a standing pose (photo 3) as I wanted him to be reaching for some of my hand drawn berries and botanicals on the mug. I didn’t want to lose the wreath that has become such a huge part of the Hare mugs, so for the second design the Hare is holding up my hand drawn wreath as you can see above.

The new Hare Wreath Mug

The Hare Botanic Mug

You might remember the original design. It started as a plain mug with a tab handle, no wreath. I knew it needed something, and I love wreaths so that made sense.

I then added a full handle, but really wanted to work on the feeling the handle would have in your hand when holding the mug, so there were a few variations on that as it improved.
Then came the change to the two toned type. I used oatmeal stoneware and white stoneware along with my hand drawn wreath to bring it to life as well as making the mug a bit bigger, which you can see below.

It’s nice to look back on them and see the evolution of the design, and I’d love to hear what you think about the new designs.

~ Ness xx


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My Love Of White Ceramics And Some New Pieces…

by Ness Lockyer

If you’ve been with us for a while, you would know how much I adore white ceramics. It’s what Marley & Lockyer started doing – lots of white patterned pieces. I’ve always loved old with stoneware and ironstone…and let’s face it, it’s no secret how much I love white – interiors, soft furnishings, bed linen, paint…..you get it.

So, I’ve been wanting to bring back some more white into the M&L range again. It’s always been there, but it felt time to bring back more. More white pieces with my hand drawn and hand patterned designs.
Introducing the Samuel Bowl, above. Named after my dear Dad. It’s the same size as our Hawthorn Matcha Bowl, but with this beautiful textured finish. I love them for a hot chocolate, chai, or even some muesli. Mic loves it as a snack bowl when we are watching movies.

The Wreath design has been with me for a while now, and I was so happy to bring it back in milky white. This pie dish design has always been a favourite.

A recent addition is the Meadow range. Latte mugs, side plates and dinner plates complete the set…for now. These are made from my own botanic carvings that are raised up from the stoneware.

It’s been quite exciting being in the studio of late. Ideas are running out of my head into my sketch books (far out those piles of books are growing!), and I’m getting lots out of the pages and into the clay lately too.
Currently, I’m redesigning the Hare range…after a copying issue. Im excited to get the test pieces made so I can show you.

In the meantime though, I’d love to hear what you think about some of the new pieces in the store.
~ Ness x

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A Mug Inspired By A Beautiful Scottish Castle, and New Art!

by Ness Lockyer

There has been a fair bit going on around here lately. New work coming out of the kilns most days, some work on the farmhouse, and I’ve even had a chance to do some painting again.

One of the new pieces to come out of the kiln, is this new Castle Mug. The inspiration behind this was one of our favourite Scottish castles, Dunnottar Castle. On our last trip, I was so inspired by the restored part of the castle – especially the ceiling details. One of the design elements was a cross, which you can see below.

Dunnottar Castle

Inspiration comes in many forms, and even though the last time I looked at this ceiling was in 2019, that ceiling was still in my mind. I also had a sketch I drew later that day after we left. I have mountains of sketch books with drawings and designs in them, and I am making a real effort this year to get some of those designs into clay.

Another design from my sketch books are these new Branch Tea Cups. I wanted something that wasn’t a heavy botanic design, and to be able to sit alongside the Hare Branch Mugs.

I’ve also managed to get the oils out again to paint some more Gentlemen. This one is “Cornelius”. Named after one of Mics Grandfathers who was from a line of major cordial manufacturers from Ireland, Sheekey Cordials. They that settled in country New South Wales, and there is now a museum in Yass dedicated to them.

Another one I painted was “John Paul”, named after one of my cousins in Scotland. Both of these originals are listed in my store.
It’s been so lovely to sit and paint, and create new works for Marley & Lockyer. Autumn is starting to appear more each day, and these are the days ahead where I feel the most creatively inspired.
I can’t wait to show you more of what I’ve been making!

~ Ness xx

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