Julia Franz creates stunning handmade ceramics through her business Formbar Creative Clay, based in the Yarra Valley (VIC). Working with stoneware clay, Julia often uses light subtle glazes to enhance the shape of the pot. Her ceramics have a handmade look and feel – not all quite the same but still clearly friends.
“Creativity and design has always been a part of my life. Ever since I can remember I have been painting, drawing, sewing, dipping candles, weaving, cutting and using Polymer and Saltdough. The list is endless.”
After trying numerous jobs including masseur, fitness instructor and teaching, Julia finally entered into the wonderful and frustrating world of clay. A student of Myers Creek Pottery, Julia’s next step was to start her own ceramic business, and Formbar Creative Clay was created. “Being from Sweden I wanted a name that linked with my heritage, Formbar meaning Mouldable.”
“I get a lot of ideas from everything I see around me. I have a strong bond to my home country Sweden, and that’s where I get a lot of my inspiration. From dreaming about the nature, the houses, the archipelago where I grew up and the forest where I love to pick mushrooms and blueberries. A lot of inspiration comes from interior design. I love to look at people’s houses and see how other people have it. I love fabrics, especially hand printed fabrics from the Nordic countries.”
“I also LOVE to cook and bake and inspiration can come from making something to use in the kitchen. I like to imagine how someone is going to use my mug or bowl. What will be served in it? Will they enjoy it as much as I do?”
