You know when something starts as “just for fun” and suddenly turns into a full-blown business? That’s the Kleyn Ceramics story.

Meet Britt: artist, first-time mum, and the hands behind every colourful, joy-sparking piece of Kleyn. Between baby contact naps and kiln sessions, she’s crafting ceramics that are as playful as they are personal — all with her five-month-old sidekick, Florence, strapped to her chest (literally).

What inspired you to start Kleyn Ceramics?

The birth of Kleyn Ceramics was rather organic after two of my dear friends opened a pottery studio, Our Space in Brisbane, and I signed up to support them and try something fun.

I started posting my creations, and people asked if they could purchase. It was that simple. Before we knew it, I was making custom orders and supplying to some of my favourite stores around the country while my poor husband earnt himself an (unpaid) part-time role in logistics management, assistant for photo shoots, you name it – it’s very much a family affair.

With Kleyn Ceramics, I’ve always just created things I want in my own home and still pinch myself to have connected with customers who simply want fun and authentic ceramics in theirs too.

What does a typical day look like with a business and a baby?

We're just riding the wave as first-time parents. As a result, there’s no pressure to get things done in these beautiful, messy and unpredictable days of being a first-time-mum. Five months in, I’m still stupidly obsessed with Florence, which sometimes means hours just going with the Flo (literally!) and she's my priority (not the business!) for the foreseeable future.

That being said, like her Mum, Flo’s an early riser. Most days we get up and enjoy a coffee before heading to our gym, where the 7am class is full of Flo’s biggest fans. After breakfast we just take each day as it comes. I only really create when Florence is sleeping, and given that she’s a contact napper, I’m ‘that girl’ with a baby in the carrier on the days we make it to the studio. I also have a room at my house designated to all my packing, painting and glazing. I’m usually in there any free, baby-free moment. My husband, family and friends are amazingly supportive too and try to give me pockets of time between feeding to get the creative juices flowing.

Tell us about your ideal day out with your little one.

While my husband and I love keeping active, we also love nothing more than a Sunday sleep-in with Flo then walking Arnie to our local bakery, Riser, to pick up fresh sourdough and coffees. We always joke that Florence has FLOMO and wants to be a part of anything we’re doing, so with our carrier (best investment was the Artipoppe!) we love checking out our favourite local antique stores – Revival in Paddington and the Camp Hill Antique Centre.

In her first five months, Flo’s also become a fan of the day trips to nearby Gold Coast, Byron Bay or Toowoomba – the latter where we’d highly recommend checking out Sweet Talk Coffee and The Baker’s Duck.

What’s your go-to thing to do when you have a moment to yourself?

While I love including Florence in my creative process, there’s nothing like getting time to paint solo or throw on the wheel (something that’s not so easy with a baby strapped to you!) My husband and I also love a good sauna and soak in magnesium pools at Vikasati, a bathhouse run by friends of ours in Brisbane. I spend a lot of time reading while I’m breastfeeding, but I do also love sneaking in a chapter or two once Florence is down for the night.

What's one thing motherhood has taught you that you wish you’d known earlier?

One thing?! I’m still learning every day, but I’ve discovered a new level of efficiency and am truly baffled by the amount I can get done in a 20-minute nap (Flo’s, not mine unfortunately!) or when a friend is happy to entertain her at the studio for half an hour.

I have a new level of love and respect for my husband too. You can’t explain what becoming a parent is like, until you're in the thick of it yourself. It’s been the toughest thing we’ve ever done, but by far the most special and rewarding. Maybe it’s the oxytocin, but I feel like motherhood has also unlocked a new level of creativity for me and I love that Florence gets to experience that.