Sonya Wilkins Ceramics 'Translating The Healing Power Of Nature'

07/11/2025

3 weeks ago this ‘Oak Tree Vessel’ was unveiled .co.uk ‘In The Pens’ at Penrith Farmers Mart - hence the 2nd image when it was displayed as part of the famous quotes competition in a cow pen, on a very regal purple table cloth - contrast is everything!
•
I received wonderful feedback from the public about it, they loved the realistic wood effect and secret little acorn nestled at the base (also made in ceramic). It was wonderful responding to the 500 year old Oak Tree in Bishop’s Knoll in Bristol (UK) and capturing its wise ‘spirit’ with the transformative materiality of clay and ceramic ~
•
Next I’ll be making some smaller tree trunk vessels in response to this larger creation, hoping they will be ready for my next show on the 6th & 7th December in Chagford…do pop along if you can!

06/11/2025

Bare trees…a beauty all in their own right…I witnessed this tree while walking in Dunster (UK) along a weaving woodland lane; glanced across to the side, and in the middle of a field of golden wheat, stood this majestic being ~
•
I was drawn in by its nearly bare beauty and the energy flow in it’s twisted branches…as if it was beckoning the clouds to come closer and whisper their dreams…
•
It’s these trees that inspire the sgraffito trees on the walls of my ‘Chawan Tea Bowls’ - and invitation to practise flow, allowing my pin tool to permeate the soft layers of sticky slip and leave behind its meandering trace, nestled in the landscape of wild clay slip…
•
Watch the little video to see an example…they are a new passion of mine, somehow awakening a new found freedom in making within me…

04/11/2025

Meet my new collection of ‘Tree Chawan’ (Japanese Tea Bowls) made according to the traditional style by ~
•
I simply love making these, every pull of the clay, application of sticky slip and intuitive mark making is spontaneous and unhindered by expectation…which means that every tea bowl has its own unique energy and ‘spirit’…they free my heart each time I make them!
•
Watch the short video to truly get a sense of the different layers of glaze and texture creating a beautiful landscape for your hands to hold and explore - drinking your favourite beverage will never quite be the same again…
•
A selection of these will be available to purchase on the 6th & 7th December…just in time for Christmas gifts! £38 each (UK postage on top if you want to own one before the show)

29/10/2025

New ‘Oak Tree Trunk Vessel’ ~ this piece took on a voice of its own while I lost myself in the materiality of the clay…I think you can see it’s trying to speak…I suppose the Oak has such a long established symbology in many traditions, it’s no wonder it wants to be heard…there is so much to share ~
•
Ancient Celtic priests held Oak as sacred. The word ‘Druid’ is thought to be derived from a Celtic word for oak ‘Duir’ and they believed the tree held magical properties…
•
During the Middle Ages, couples would get married under Oak trees and the grooms would carry acorns for good luck…my vessels holds a little ceramic acorn to bring good luck! (See the little video in the carousel) ~
•
Many Native American tribes used acorns in their cooking - often flatbreads, and this may still be true today…
•
In some traditions, the oak is a symbol of status, for example, the Royal Stewart Clan has the oak as its clan badge…
•
In Greek mythology, the oracle at Dodana was centred around a sacred oak tree and priests interpreted the rustling of its leaves to receive prophecies from Zeus!
•
Needless to say, it’s a special tree…and this is a one off ‘Oak Tree Trunk Vessel’, never to be made quite the same again, but I’m sure I’ll visit more Oak trees to respond to over time…

🌳

23/10/2025

21/10/2025

Join me on my little hike in the Lakes where it’s all about trees and friendly sheep! Watch the short videos and scroll through the images to absorb the Autumn treasures…
•
It’s such a joy to be here an extra day and night after Potfest last weekend…the Autumn colours are truly magnificent and I was gifted with lots more inspiration for new tree vessels along this mini adventure in Mungrisdale - I hope you enjoy the footage🍁

20/10/2025

Thank you to all my customers .co.uk ‘In The Pens’ Penrith, for your support this weekend - these ‘Silver Birch & Red Birch Tree Trunk Vessels’ were very popular, and if you came Sunday to find few left (and no Silver Birch remaining), I am making more in the next two weeks - so message me if you want a particular size made ~
•
I’m popping along to in Ambleside today, before travelling back to north Somerset, to do a restock - so there are a few there and I’ll be giving them some larger Tree Vessels too…
•
Thank you again to Matt and the team for all your efforts organising us potters and making the event so fun and interactive with the ‘pot swap’, famous sayings competition and potters social on the first night. It was so lovely to meet so many new faces and connect with the northern contingent of potters!

19/10/2025

‘Tweak time’ before customers arrive at a show is one of my favorite moments to consider, reflect and align with one’s making ethos…it’s so easy to get pulled along in the jet stream of making and preparing for a show; you can loose sight of what’s really at the heart of your making practise…
•
Being in the woods, communing with nature, always brings me back to purpose; but also here, where I take a ‘whole-some’ breath and see my creations with fresh eyes, because they are in a different context ~
•
This allows me to sense my holistic offering…and receiving feedback from my customers is so valuable in reassuring my footing along my path; so thank you .co.uk and all my customers who purchased and appreciated my work 🙏 It warms my heart to hear your wonderful feedback…I think the trees that inspire my making, might just be smiling back in the woodland! 🍃

17/10/2025

Heard of Palo Santo but not sure what it is? The wood (that you can see in the top of my ceramic burners) is sustainably sourced from native Bursera graveolens trees in Peru and Venezuela. The name means ‘scared wood’ and it’s believed to cleanse the energy in a room when burnt, releasing the beneficial terpenes (natural oils in the form of tree hormones) into the air. As humans, we benefit from breathing in these tree hormones - it helps to balance our energy, clear the mind and even reduce anxiety ~
•
Its use dates back as far as the Inca for spiritual cleansing, banashing negativity and bringing good luck and the good thing is, only wood from naturally fallen trees is harvested (in line with conservation laws set by the Peruvian government)…
•
Usually people light the wood to release these beneficial terpenes but with my wood burner, the wood smoulders instead (inside you place a candle tea light which heats up the recess where the wood stick sits). This means your Palo santo lasts up to 50 times longer with no smoke! It’s a wonderful way to cleanse your house, accompany you while you work and lift your wellbeing state ✨
•
If you wish to purchase one message me, they are £78 each and each one is made individually, so unique ✨(Postage in the UK is approximately £5)

16/10/2025

I’m back in the Lakes with my trees! Managed to squeeze in a hike up Scafell Pike yesterday before set up for .co.uk later today ~
•
Such beautiful scenery as always…and watch the little snippet videos for some unexpected treasures on route - Canada geese flying through the cloud on our way up to the peak at 3,209ft (on a clear day you can see Scotland, Wales and Ireland) AND a Brocken specter - a fascinating optical phenomenon that occurs when a person’s shadow is cast onto cloud or mist! Watch me waving back at you in mine!
•
Then it was time to collapse under a tree at the end of our 6 hour hike! I’m pleased to say I’ve now climbed the highest mountains in England, Wales and Scotland!