A Look Back at Our Makers’ Table Gathering
Concentration, conversation, and the joy of making — a quiet snapshot from our Makers’ Table workshop.
A few weeks ago, The Makers’ Table came to life, and what a cosy, joy-filled evening it was. There’s something special about settling around a wooden table, prosecco in hand, with porcelain pieces laid out like tiny treasures waiting to be transformed.
This session was all about decorating and assembling your own jewellery, and participants arrived with that perfect blend of curiosity and calm. We eased in gently: choosing shapes, experimenting with marks, and chatting as designs slowly emerged. The room glowed with fairy lights, scattered tools, and that quiet concentration that always happens when adults finally give themselves permission to play.
What I loved most was watching them relax into the process. Little moments of “Ooh, I like that one!”… someone discovering they preferred a looser mark… the satisfaction when a pair of earrings suddenly looked like a pair.
In the second session we moved into the assembling stage , bending wires, attaching findings, and seeing pieces turn into wearable keepsakes. There’s always a good buzz when someone tries on their earrings for the first time, and this workshop was no different.
These evenings remind me exactly why I run these workshops: the smiles, the excitement, the conversation, the connection and the simple pleasure of making something with your hands. Everyone left with their own finished jewellery, and a little glow that wasn’t just from the fizz.
If you fancy joining the next one, the Christmas Makers’ Table is coming up soon (27th November 2025). Perfect for a mindful evening out… and even better if you want to make a handmade gift with meaning.
Begin Again: A Creative Welcome for Women in Their Second Spring
“A glimpse inside the studio, newly finished porcelain earrings, hand-drawn with my signature fine-line marks, waiting on their silver hooks to become part of the Whispered Porcelain collection. Quiet, expressive, and made by hand, one piece at a time.”
There’s a quiet voice that calls to us as we get older , not the voice of “should’s” and schedules, but something softer. A whisper, really.
It says:
You’re still creative. You’re still becoming. You still get to begin again.
Hello, and welcome. I’m so glad you’ve found your way here.
I’m Susan ,a 65-year-old ceramic artist, maker, and slow living advocate who’s spent decades in the creative world. Like many women, I’ve worn many hats. But somewhere along the way, I realised I wanted less pressure… and more poetry. Less hustle, more heart.
So I’m creating a space for us women over 50 who are ready to reconnect with their creativity, explore mindful making, and maybe even reinvent a few things along the way.
This blog is a soft landing place for all of that.
Over the coming weeks, I’ll be sharing my reflections on creativity, the joys of turning a hobby in to a hobby that pays, imperfection, and small ways to bring more making and meaning into everyday life. There’ll be studio notes, musings, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of my own developing creative practice as well as invitations to join me for in-person and online workshops .
Because it’s never too late to:
· pick up a pencil or a paintbrush
· mould clay into something that holds a memory
· write the story you’ve been carrying for years
· or simply take an afternoon just for you
If you’re curious, you’re in exactly the right place.
💬 I’d love to hear from you…
What’s something creative you haven’t done in a while but miss?
Leave a comment or send me a message. This isn’t just my space it’s ours.
Until next time,
Susan x
10 signs of a creative person
Me and the supportive husband, @saltairemakersfair
10 Signs of a Creative Person
The Paradoxes That Make Creative Minds Tick (Especially in Midlife and Beyond)
I’ve spent my life in creative spaces , teaching, making, mentoring and now, at 65, I’m embracing a new chapter. I’m turning my hands (and heart) toward something quieter, more personal, and joyfully imperfect.
This isn’t about retiring. It’s about reimagining.
If you’re a woman in midlife or beyond, wondering if it’s too late to rekindle your creativity , I can tell you: it isn’t. The creative spark doesn’t vanish with age. It evolves. And often, it burns brighter when we finally give ourselves permission to follow it. I’ve recently reinvented myself as a ceramic artist, specialising in porcelain jewellery. After a successful first maker’s fair, @saltaireinspired. I now have more confidence to persue something I thought had escaped me.
Here are ten signs you might be one of us , a beautifully creative soul, full of paradoxes that just might be your superpower.
1. You crave solitude but hate feeling lonely.
At this stage in life, space to reflect feels essential. But connection matters too. I’m building a business that offers both , solo making time and shared, gentle community.
2. You’re a perfectionist who thrives on imperfection.
In my past life as an educator, precision mattered. Now, I’m falling in love with wobbles, uneven edges, and golden traces. It’s the flaws that hold the feeling.
3. You feel everything… and nothing… all at once.
Some days, I’m full of energy and vision. Others, I feel stuck or invisible. That’s part of it. Creative living isn’t a straight line , it’s a rhythm. I’m learning to trust the quieter moments too.
4. You’re wildly curious but easily overwhelmed.
I want to try all the things, from coaching and ceramics to blog posts and new tools. But I’m also learning to slow down, honour the pace I need, and choose wisely.
5. You alternate between chaos and intense focus.
My desk is still a mess some days. But give me clay, ink, a pen and a quiet hour, and I’m transported. The magic happens when we stop apologising for how we work best.
6. You’re deeply intuitive… and deeply self-critical.
This one runs deep. For years I encouraged others, now I’m learning to be that kind to myself. I still hear the doubts, but I’m moving anyway.
7. You dream big but fear being seen.
Launching a new (very small) business in your sixties isn’t for the faint-hearted. But here I am, making, sharing, coaching and reminding myself (and others) that visibility can be soft, not shouty.
8. You make meaning out of everything.
A porcelain fold. A sea-washed colour. A quiet Sunday walk. I create because I see stories everywhere. Maybe you do too.
9. You start too many things… but they all lead somewhere.
Half-finished sketchbooks, saved Pinterest boards, abandoned business ideas, they’re not failures. They’re compost. They nourish what’s blooming now.
10. You can’t not create.
Even when I’m tired. Even when it’s hard. Making gives my days shape. It connects me to myself, to others, and to something quieter and deeper than words.
Does this sound like you too?
Maybe you’re not starting over, but starting from experience. Maybe you’ve always been creative but lost the thread for a while.
Either way, you are not too late, too old, too messy, or too unsure.
I’m building a space, through workshops, mentoring , and quiet inspiration, for women like us. Women with full lives and full hearts. Women with stories in their hands.
👇 Tell me, which of these paradoxes resonate with you? I’d love to hear in the comments or connect over a cuppa and a create.
"Reboot Your Creativity: A Warm Welcome to Your Creative Journey"
It all begins with an idea.
Hello, and welcome ,I’m so glad you’ve found your way here.
If you’re anything like me, you’ll know that it’s not always easy to spot when something feels a little off :a sense that you’ve lost your spark, your focus, or even just your sense of direction. So first, let me say well done for showing up. That’s the first (and often the bravest) step.
Whether you’re returning to creativity after a long break, just starting out with a new idea, or a seasoned creative who’s hit a wall, this space is for you.
This site was created to help you gently reboot your creative flow , that sense of being fully immersed, focused, and energised in something that lights you up. The kind of creativity that feels effortless and rewarding (even if just for a moment).
Here’s what you can explore here:
One-to-One Mentoring For those times you need personal support and a sounding board. Book a session (or a few) and we’ll work together to find your flow again.
Tips + Ideas Blog – Browse the blog for thoughtful reflections, gentle nudges, and creative prompts designed to fit into real life.
Workshops + Online Courses – Whether in-person or virtual, these are designed with care to support your creative journey at your own pace (courses launching soon!).
You might be here to begin a long-dreamt-of creative project, breathe life back into something you used to love, or shift out of a rut. Wherever you’re starting from , and whatever age or stage you’re at , you’re not alone.
I’ve been stuck many times throughout my working life, and I know how frustrating it can be. But I also know that change begins with one small decision: to make time for yourself and your creative voice.
So take a moment. Breathe. Let’s start this journey together to reignite your creativity and move forward in a way that feels true to you.
We’ve got this.
Welcome to My Journal and Website!
I am Susan Holloway , Ex fashion lecturer, author and educator. I’m thrilled to announce the launch of my new website, porcelain Jewellery range and creative coaching space. Its a spot dedicated to inspiring creativity and mindful living. Through my journal, I’ll be sharing personal insights, creative tips, and ideas to help you reignite your passion and explore new possibilities. Whether you’re here for inspiration, workshops, or thoughtful products, I can’t wait to connect and grow this creative community with you. Stay tuned, spread the word, and let’s spark something amazing together!
