Rhondda Retallack
I have been involved with Art & Craft for most of my life, I was introduced to ceramics, pottery and sculpture by my mother during the late fifties, and it has been an ongoing learning experience ever since. I also took up working with stained glass, concentrating on Arctic themes, but gave up glass to concentrate on pottery. That was until I discovered glass-slumping.In 1997 I had the opportunity to attend a glass slumping and decorating workshop and I haven’t touched clay since.
I find it a most interesting and challenging medium to work with and explore. Even kiln accidents can be spectacular! My mother and I spent several years working together and exploring glass decorating techniques, each of us coming up with new ideas and learning from each other’s mistakes. I am now passing this knowledge on to my daughter Kate, and together we are continuing the tradition of always trying to create new products for people to enjoy.
Kiln-formed glass is an ancient glass forming technique, that has been enjoying a resurgence in modern day times. The glass lines produced at Dragonfly are created by cutting the glass, decorating it, and firing the piece in a kiln to approx 800c. Some pieces require a second firing. Many of the molds for the desired shapes in the slumping process are made here by hand but they can also be made from steel or ceramic. I also make glass beads in the studio. All clear glass pieces can be placed in the dishwasher and are food safe. The food surface area on the decorated functional ware is also food safe. The decorated ware can be placed in a dishwasher, however hand-washing is recommended to ensure that the finish endures.
Contact- 0418 456 292
Some of My Work is Featured Below.
Rhondda Retallack
After completing her nursing training, she travelled extensively and remained overseas for 22 years, marrying and having two children. While there, Rhondda pursued her love of pottery, attending many clay workshops. She also attended the Haliburton School of Fine Art learning production throwing (a complete and utter failure), and sculpture.
Rhondda also studied stained glass, at this time concentrating on arctic themes but gave this and all other activities up to concentrate on clay.
About 9 years ago she had the opportunity to attend a glass slumping and decorating workshop and hasn’t touched clay since. She finds working with glass a most interesting and challenging medium to work with and explore. Even kiln accidents can be spectacular!
Always wanting to try new ideas and mediums, her latest challenge and love is lampworking to make glass beads.
Some of my highlights
- The skills were rare and best learned when passed down in person.
- In the past when more women were at home more, they had time to learn and develop a skill.
- It is harder today with many women working, and our group wants to get young people involved so we can pass down our wisdom.
- I suppose people can always pay to do a course, but there is something special when skills are taught, in a friendly group, by someone who just wants to keep the knowledge alive.