This Penangite with No Prior Art Experience Now Makes Pottery for a Michelin Star Restaurant

Belle Yeoh never dreamed of being a potter nor had any prior exposure to art or pottery. In fact, she says, “I could not draw or paint to save my life. But I think that was what I grew up telling myself, that ‘art’ starts with drawing and painting, and I am not good at it, and as a result, I am not artistic.”

However, she now creates delicate handmade pieces for a One-Michelin Star restaurant and numerous restaurants in Penang and works as a full-time potter.

Rojak Daily spoke to Belle to find out more about the Penangite’s work and how she delved into the industry. Belle initially studied Molecular and Cellular Biology at the University of Bath and later worked in wealth management. She was a marketing representative for an asset management company for about five years, and her work included being on the road and meeting clients quite a bit.

Like many others, she said, “Coming out from the pandemic, I think perspectives shifted, and I felt a need for change. One day in March 2022, I signed up for a pottery workshop alone. Everything clicked into place when I worked with clay. I threw myself into pottery for the next few months, learning everything I could in a little corner of my house.”

“By mid-year, I had decided to take a career break to explore what I could do with pottery. I found a tiny commercial studio to rent, bought a kiln, and taught myself how to make functional pottery,” she explained.

Starting a small business is never easy and comes fraught with uncertainties. “In my case, I registered my business before I even knew what I could make or what people wanted to buy. It took me over half a year to teach myself pottery and figure out what I wanted my brand to say. There was a lot of disappointment and anxiety in those early months.”

As a one-man show, Belle does everything on her own, including production, administration, marketing, and logistics. “Sometimes I feel that I could never catch a break, but building a brand is exhilarating in ways I never imagined possible in the corporate field.”

Totally kiln it

Belle creates items such as mugs, bowls, incense holders, and more, each bearing her distinct signature touch and having a rustic and tasteful look. The irregularity of the look and touch of each creation makes them beautiful. She now works with various restaurants and businesses, including One Michelin Star Restaurant Au Jardin, Noordin Mews, Sixth Sense Stores, Firewood Penang, and Firepitz Johor.

She has also curated batches sold at stores like Unplug Bangsar, Suka Suka Stores Penang, and Neutrals TTDI.

She shared, “One of my most defining moments was when I got my first project with Georgetown’s Michelin-starred restaurant, Au Jardin”, which she continues to work with. In fact, we’ve dined at the restaurant before, and her pieces truly added to the whole culinary experience.

She also hosts a monthly workshop with fees ranging from RM140 to RM200, where participants can take home their created masterpieces.

The process

Belle described her usual workday, which isn’t your typical 9 to 5. “I usually get in around 10 am, and I’d start checking on the pieces I have been working on from the previous day. If they need more work, I will spend my morning doing that. Once I am done, I will list new tasks I want to complete and work through for the day.” This often includes production, cleaning, client communication, social media updates, designing, and more.

She works in a cosy studio with 20 buckets holding all sorts of clay and glazes. “I try to create with intention. I spend a lot of time thinking about who (collective and singular) I am making the piece for and how they would use it. Each piece is made consciously, which is why my work takes time,” she explained.

Belle also explained the process and why the pieces typically cost over RM100 each.

Designing: Sometimes, she sketches a design she has in mind to help her visualise it better. Other times, she sees where the clay and her hands take her.

A tough row to hoe

Being a potter is not easy, and it is not for the faint-hearted (or rather not for ones with aching backs). “Working long hours in a pottery studio can take a toll on the body. We are bent over the pottery wheel for hours at a time. We also have to move heavy bags of materials (a bag of clay can be 20kg) and large buckets around. Clay dust management is also essential,” said Belle.

When dried, superfine clay dust particles are airborne. When inhaled long-term, they can lodge irreversibly in the lungs and cause respiratory issues. This means potters do a lot of cleaning daily, including wiping down surfaces and mopping.

Future goals

Belle is always booked and busy. She says, “I hope to increase my capacity at some point so that I can meet the demands of my wholesale and retail clients more quickly.” She also hopes to work with more brands and see her work reach a larger audience outside Penang.

We hope we can afford to have our home fitted out with all her unique pieces one day!

Follow Buttersage Pottery Studio on Instagram or visit their website to purchase products.

Featured Image Credit: Provided to Rojak Daily