KIL'N TIME: Wakefield St, Adelaide

Ron Kandalaars visits Kil'n Time

You know your age is showing when certain keepsakes that are as old as you, are in need of a major touchup.

"Look, I've got a bit of a dilemma here, a bit of a family heirloom, it's my birthplate and as you can see, it records details of when I was born, how much I weighed, the time of day, etc, but sadly it's forty four years old and a bit like me, it's showing its age. Just wondering what you'd recommend in terms of fixing it up? "

"Uhm, there are a range of products we can use to do that, it's been painted with an on glaze, onto a tile, a commercial tile, so there are products we can use to touch that up."

Here at Kil'n Time, Vivienne Henderson takes her customers through some basic ceramic techniques. For me, it's a case of touching up some vital statistics. As you can see, weight has always been a problem. In this studio everything is supplied, including valuable tuition.

"You need a pretty steady hand don't you. Yes."

"I think people start out a bit tentative, but once they relax a bit they find their hand is a bit steadier."

Nearby Pat is working away on her sushi plate, while Tanya's wine cooler has taken on a very African flavour.

"The Giraffe will be done in a lime green and a purple with a bright blue background. So there won't be a lot of white but a lot of nice, great colours."

Soon the creative juices are flowing from the paint pot onto your individually chosen piece. The shelves are crammed with locally made and Italian bisque ware. The price incudes the sushi dish, cup or serving plate of your choice, the paints, tuition, studio time and eventually glazing. For Janicke, "Kil'n Time" in this studio will eventually result in her own uniquely designed table ware.

"It's a bowl and I'm painting fish on it, because I like fish."

Vivienne's own work shows just what you can do with a blank outdoor table top, ad plenty of colour. Over time the studio's collection of finished items has continued to grow.

"So with Mother's Day not that far away, it's the sort of thing where you could do a very personalised plate or gift?"

"Oh absolutely and also for Easter, uhm a mug with an Easter egg in it is a great idea, rather than just chocolates or something like that. So it's something people can give to their children or their parents or their partners or whatever."

Eventually everything ends up here, the kiln. The firing process has a dramatic effect, and soon everyone's personalised masterpiece is ready for collection.

Kil'n Time is located at 229 to 245 Wakefield Street in the city (Adelaide) and is open every day except Monday. For more details you can call Vivienne Henderson on 08 8232 4322 or email info@postcards-sa.com.au