Meet Nathan Li of Blueming Pottery in Camberwell Junction

A creative studio has opened in Camberwell Junction, offering locals the chance to slow down, get their hands dirty and enjoy the calming process of working with clay. Blueming Pottery is a thoughtfully designed space that blends creativity, community and craftsmanship, all brought together by owner Nathan Li.

Mr Li began his career in architecture, working at a firm for about four years. While he enjoyed the field, he discovered a new passion when he started learning pottery in his spare time. What started as a hobby quickly turned into something more meaningful.

“I got hooked onto pottery, and spent a year in my garage practising pottery-making techniques. And this year I made the decision to leave my previous job and start my own business,” Mr Li said.

In July 2025, Blueming Pottery officially opened its doors. The studio has already started to attract people who are looking for something hands-on, creative and relaxing, whether for a night out, a new hobby or just a bit of downtime.

Different pottery classes for different levels

Blueming Pottery offers three different workshops, each catering to a range of skill levels and interests.

The Paint Your Own Pottery session is ideal for those who want to explore their artistic side without starting from scratch. Guests are given clay-ready items like plates, bowls or cups, which they can decorate in their own style. The pieces are then glazed and fired in the kiln, creating a personalised finished product.

The studio also offers a Beginner-Friendly Wheel-Throwing class. This two-hour session introduces the basics of working with a pottery wheel, making it perfect for anyone new to the craft who wants to try their hand at shaping clay.

One of the studio’s most popular offerings is the Carve and Sip class. Inspired by the ‘paint and sip’ concept, this workshop focuses on sgraffito, a decorative carving technique used on pottery. Guests can bring along their own drinks and snacks, while music plays softly in the background to set a relaxed mood. It’s a great option for a date night, a catch-up with a friend, or a solo evening of creativity.

The story behind the studio’s name

The name Blueming Pottery holds personal meaning for Mr Li and connects with his cultural background.

Aside from blue being his favourite colour, Mr Li said the name of the studio was inspired by his Chinese heritage and the blue and white porcelain commonly used in China, which he said is known as “blue flower ceramics”.

“So ‘Blueming’ suggests the flowers are blooming and I did a word play for ‘blue’ to suggest the colour,” Mr Li said.

The colour blue is a central theme throughout the space and is highlighted in the large mural of The Great Wave off Kanagawa, a famous artwork by Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai that adds a striking visual to the studio’s interior.

Creating a cosy, community-minded space

Mr Li was intentional in creating a space that feels calm, cosy and welcoming. His goal was to provide an environment where people could enjoy the process of making pottery in a setting that encourages creativity and focus.

“I learned pottery in another studio and I really loved the vibe there and the people were so kind, so I wanted to create a space like that myself,” Mr Li said.

The studio is styled with a minimalist approach, which reflects both Mr Li’s architectural style and the practical needs of a smaller space.

“The studio is minimalist because it is a tiny space and I don’t want to stuff the space with a lot of messy things. I want people to just focus on their pottery. And because of my background in architecture, I had the opportunity to design everything including the furniture, the interior designs, the paintings on the wall. I wanted to make it tidy and welcoming,” Mr Li said.

One of the key features of the space is the mural of The Great Wave off Kanagawa. Mr Li has taken inspiration from this artwork and incorporated it into his own ceramic creations.

“I also made some pottery for myself (using the design) and one of my series is based on The Great Wave off Kanagawa. I imprinted the original pattern onto ceramic plates so people can bring the art into their daily lives,” Mr Li said.

Visitors to Blueming Pottery may also be greeted by the studio’s two friendly cats, Kiki and Titi. Their presence adds an extra touch of warmth to the space.

“A lot of our customers really love playing with the cats,” Mr Li said.

Fostering creativity and calm through clay

For Mr Li, pottery is more than just a creative outlet. It’s an opportunity for people to take a break from busy schedules and experience the joy of making something with their hands.

“When you are making your own pottery you can be very focused and you can set your pace – you don’t have to rush, you can take your time, think about the design, feel the clay and figure out how it will go,” Mr Li said.

He encourages beginners to keep an open mind and be willing to explore and adapt as they work with the clay.

“The other thing about playing with clay is that it never goes as you think it will go. You struggle with it at first, a little bit, but it’s something interesting to feel clay and learn how to deal with the clay. Then after that, once you have a connection with clay, you will establish your own method,” Mr Li said.

Choosing Camberwell Junction as the location for his studio was an intentional decision. After visiting the Camberwell Sunday Market, Mr Li saw how much the local community values art, creativity and handmade pieces.

“I think people will like doing pottery here and it’s becoming more popular. I thought it was a good opportunity for me to bring pottery into the community,” Mr Li said.

From its curated classes to its charming cats and beautifully designed space, Blueming Pottery is a place where clay, calm and community come together – and where everyone is welcome to give pottery a go.

Visit the studio