Meet the Maker: Fancy Nancy

When Nancy Galea went to a ceramics class with friends in Sydney during 2016, she never dreamed the short wheel throwing course would lead to anything more than a few quirky clay creations.

But it turned out to be a case of love at first throw for the now passionate potter, who in less than three years has turned a fun hobby into a burgeoning business.

“We had a blast, and I got hooked straight away, I ended up repeating the course for the whole year and then decided I needed my own wheel,” Nancy said.

“Before I knew it everyone was getting pottery for Christmas and there was still some left over, so I decided to start selling it.

“Once we moved to Newcastle in 2018 I found a second-hand kiln and production really ramped up. Now I am able to create to my heart’s content.”

Fancy Nancy Ceramics officially kicked off in December 2017, creating functional pieces with a focus on basic forms and eye-catching glazes.

Nancy’s range includes everything from bowls and coffee mugs to wine glasses and chip and dip platters.

“Each clay, glaze and technique has its own texture, and I wanted to make pieces that people wanted to pick up, touch, experience and use every day,” Nancy said.

“Anything really can inspire me; usually it’s a mistake that’ll inspire me the most because I can physically see how the piece is going to end up and can continue down that road.

“I have a favourite mug that I made when I lived in Sydney; it is made using a technique that I don’t have access to in Newcastle at the moment. The handle isn’t very comfortable and the lip is quite thick, but it’s always the first mug to be picked from the cupboard. It reminds me how far I’ve come in a short time and all the progress I still want to make as an artist.”

Nancy has been selling her products at the Handmade in the Hunter markets since the beginning of last year and is looking forward to ramping things up in her business in 2020.

“Up until now Fancy Nancy Ceramics has just been a hobby that I did in my spare time,” she said. “This year, I have made the choice to take ceramics a bit more seriously and have gone part-time at my day job to dedicate more time to my small business. I’m very excited to see where I can take this little business of mine now that I can dedicate a bit more time to it.”

Check out Fancy Nancy Ceramics at this month’s Handmade in the Hunter Markets, which will be held at Kevin Sobels Wines from 9am to 3pm on March 7, 14, 21 and 28.