Former Manilla woman Angelique Boyce (Langton) just cannot keep up with the demand for her WobbleeWare handmadeceramicsproduced at her home near Gunnedah, though she’s quick to admit that its success only came about as the result of a big mistake.
Angelique, who’s been teaching Visual Art for more than two decades in Sydney and Gunnedah, decided to follow her creative passion and have another go at ceramics, but in her first few attempts at the wheel, things turned erratic.
“I started on the wheel, but blew it a few times. It didn’t turn out as it should have, but everyone else loved it. So I stuck with it, now everything’s hand done – I don’t use the wheel at all. I even still have the two original pots I made. I can’t believe how well it’s taken off – I’m finding it hard to keep up with the demand with full-time teaching, a farm and the kids (seven-year-old Frances and four-year-old Ewan). But I needed my creative outlet,” she said.
As early as Year 5, Angelique “loved” painting and pursued her passion studying 2 and 3 unitart at school, before a three-year Bachelor of Art at Lismore then landing her Diploma of Education at the University of Western Sydney 12 months later. She took up a position as TAS Creative Art Co-Ordinator at St Mary’s in Gunnedah in 2003, there meeting future husband and Ag/Science Co-Ordinator Greg Boyce.
“I love creating things, so I tried ceramics, though I hated the feel of dry hands from the clay. Now I love it. My studio at the moment though is the kitchen bench and a corner of the dining room table,” she joked.
“I once thought that teaching kids art would be giving all my ideas away, but it’s the reverse. I’m getting some great ideas from the kids. If you’ve got talent, you’ve got it. There’s a lot of talent here, but it’s disappointing to me when they don’t pursue that artistic interest.”
Angelique can offer a smorgasbord of items for the bargain hunter – anything from bowls, platters, pattern weights (for dressmakers), spoons and keyrings to row markers (for vegetable gardeners), fairy garden signs, earrings and vases. And she’ll even make up gift packs.
“I’m even making a horsehead platter with a couple of bowls as a special order for a friend. I love it – something different. A lot of people ask me to make different things for them. Probably my favourites though are the red and white/black and white ranges. To me they’re the classics.”
In only 12 months of production, Angelique has made sales to Sydney, Kyogle, Far North Queensland, throughout the North Coast, Canberra and Newcastle. And she can boast having something for every budget.
“I only started last year, but when I look at what I’ve made and sold, it’s amazing. With Covid, I couldn’t do any markets, the only one available was Gunnedah where I sold most of my wares. I’d like to pursue more avenues with it – I like researching, so will keep experimenting with new ideas. You can’t just sit back and be satisfied with the first thing you do. You’ve got to keep extending ideas. I’d like to have a go at cake stands next.It all takes time though. I give myself three weeks to produce a collection of items. Normally it takes two firings, but my gold collection needs three firings.”
SoAngelique, who doesn’t even have time now to pursue her love of the sport of fencing, is no doubt looking forward to the December/January break to catch up with orders. When not at the production table, she’ll be chasing the kids around or helping hubby Greg run their ‘Mullaluddy’ Brangus Stud on the outskirts of Gunnedah.
Anyone wanting to know more about her wares can contact Angelique on 0427 390582, email [email protected], or Instagram wobbleeware_gunnedah.
By Vinnie Todd