ARDMORE: The African Ceramic Artists You Should Know About!

[@ginalopes6083]

A very proud South African viewer. Fee and her incredible team deserve all the accolades they have received. Their work is incredible. I am dying to go and stay at their B&B as well. 🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦

[@annekecrouse1870]

I'm also South African and never heard about their art! Such stunning work. Makes me so proud and nostalgic of my home country. 🥲

[@rolo4945]

Midland’s Meander was my backyard. Another South African in NZ ❤ born Durban educated in Pmb.

[@rolo4945]

Family heritage Estcourt, Nottingham Hill, Mooi River, Treverton, Lidgetton the farms were all out there. Love the Midlands, my sister still lives out their in Howick ❤

[@rolo4945]

Awesome Fee your work is amazing. I just love the Zulu folk.

[@RockDove5212]

SO talented but unpretentious and down to earth, what an especially lovely lady

[@liesldejager9873]

I was blown away by the deep symbolism and meaning of each piece. The pangolin touched my soul, rolled up, protecting itself. The message of hope in the later big piece of secretary birds triumphing over snakes is so powerfultome, here in New Zealand amid the disruption of Omicron .

[@martinethevenau69]

Fee is an incredible woman who has a generous and compassionate heart for others. Her art is exquisite and empowering others to make and create these pieces is simply magnificent.

[@buenavidaestates-livingthe6333]

Exquisite! I was brought to South Africa by a dear friend in 2015 and fell in love with the culture, nature, vibrancy and creativity. Everyone was so warm & welcoming to us! I hope someday to make it back again but if I don't, so so grateful for the experience. Thank your for sharing your art with us!

[@sperovillioti8692]

Thank you Stephanie for showing the world how much raw talent there is in South Africa 🇿🇦. You are definitely making a difference, to all the wonderful artists. 🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦❤️

[@TheChateauDiaries]

❤️❤️❤️

[@shelaghward1442]

Just think it's pure talent, not raw!

[@sperovillioti8692]

They are most definitely pure talent, l could not agree more.

[@imscanon]

Wow, such talent there, their work is amazing. I went to the site thinking I'd buy something, but it's all too expensive for my wallet, sigh. I do hope the artists are getting the bulk of that and not paid little while the owner takes all that profit. Those artists are massively talented. What treasures they are creating!

[@carynkabat4208]

Absolutely beautiful. Thank you for showcasing this beautiful work . As an art teacher and docent at a fine art museum this was something I really gravitate towards and appreciate. These are the kind of vlogs that you do so well.

[@ellend9739]

In one word , AMAZING ! Thank you Stephanie and Philip for taken the time filming this video! What a knowledgeable lady she was ! I am blown away by all she taught us !

[@JP-bv7bf]

Thank you for taking us along to this amazing artist. Just love her work and her helping hand with the local people. God bless her and her artist workers. 🇨🇦

[@christinevr7698]

This was AMAZING. The talent and skill of these artists is breathtaking! I have probably seen individual pieces but had no idea of the rich history. I loved hearing the stories of how it all came to be, and learning about Bonnie and many incredibly talented artists, and the families of these artists past and present all intertwined. It’s magical and miraculous. Thank you Stephanie!

[@maryannferguson6291]

This is amazing work, such talented craftspeople !

[@blakehahn-atlantaga8510]

Simply amazing! I am inspired by Fee and all that she does! Thank you Stephanie for exposing me to so much beauty and kindness thru your travels!

[@janeburton3835]

Thanks Stephanie for bringing this stunning art into our lives. My daughter and I were glued to tonight’s vlog even more than usual - if that’s possible?! We love Chateau Diaries and all your KZbin channels Thank you so much. X

[@hellenashmore7734]

thank you so much that you have made another South African known, it makes my heart sing.

[@bonniebaxter7773]

Absolutely mind blowing…my heart was beating so fast…I just couldn’t get enough. My senses were firing on all cylinders. Stunning talent! There are not enough words … my heart is full. ❤️

[@gnarbeljo8980]

I've not yet seen your safari video but must thank you for this one! I'm a formally trained ceramic artist but haven't had a studio in many years, what's more I love Ardmore which I discovered on my trip to SA almost two decades ago and have been drooling over pieces and wallpaper patterns in later years. I had absolutely NO idea of the history of the company, nor could I have imagined the very down to earth studios and founder/CEO/designer behind it all today. The craftsmanship is beyond words, it's incredible thay these artists haven't had formal training yet manage to handbuild, coil, throw and glaze these complicated and stunning designs! It's unbelievable! The incredible talent, and the atmosphere of freedom to grow and progress as artists for everyone involved is clearly unmatched by anything I've ever come across! I'm in love all over again with Ardmore and the limitless fantasy and vibrancy of life all these works exude. This was as eyeopening and fascinating as it was mindblowing and joyous to watch! If I was better off I'd go bonkers buying sculptural pieces from the studio! Those scaler pamgolin vortexes, I'm so intrigued by how they're created and put together... Marvelous video, thankyou SO much for this! 🙏❤️❤️❤️👏👏👏

[@loishampstead8760]

Love, love, love this vlog. Stephanie. One of my favourites. What a wonderful place, the artisans are so talented and the owner is so lovely and interesting.

[@soulinspired143]

I am so loving your vlogs on SA being a Durban girl myself. I love Ardmore and have been following them ever since visiting the shop in the Midlands a year ago. The Midlands is one of my favourite places, I hope you enjoyed. ❤

[@gabynie2944]

Wow Steph, what a brilliant place . ARDMORE is amazing, and they do so much for the community. This was such a lovely vlog, great work Philip too. Going to watch it again tomorrow. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to see the wonders of Africa xx

[@crystalmullin2580]

This was a truly inspiring episode, like all of your others. Just seeing the smiles and the energy radiating from the artists involved and of course, the deep connection to the history of cultural design and the playfulness of those tourist monkies made my day. This has inspired me to work on a little series of my own, I am a beginner hand embroiderer and now I am feverishly sketching ideas in one of my many design idea books. It was definitely the fire that needed to be lit under me today. Thank you so very very much for sharing this with us all.

[@lindag8557]

Thank you so much for sharing. I feel so inadequate in my knowledge of world art. You are teaching me to look beyond 🤗

[@KrisanthiaMum]

Thank you for taking us along with you. What beautiful art!!!

[@MyConsideredHome]

This was a wonderful informative video. I’ve really missed these types of videos where you focus on a particular theme and educate us on the history . I hope you will provide more in the future!

[@trishwilson7517]

Everything about this, is truly spectacular!

[@julieannecollins7775]

Absolutely stunning! So bright and colourful. Extremely talented artist's.

[@bredaswitzer1948]

Wow that wasn't long enough, i really enjoyed watching that,i just love anything to do with craftwork and every single piece is beautiful and what an amazing woman is faye,she's an inspiration and i could listen to her all day🥰🦋🌻🐝

[@creative227]

So much life in these incredible pieces of art!

[@andreacatzel8259]

I’ve just cried…. The whole way through this! I didn’t want it to end. Just stunning! Fee is just divine……..an inspiration. What magnificent work by all the talented artists. You were definitely meant to meet. Like minds and hearts. And Philip….your filming of this was superb! Thank you, Steph, for taking us to Ardmore. I’m so homesick. 😥 sending huge love to Fee, her artists and you both. ❤️🇿🇦❤️

[@denisefazio6708]

This was a fabulous, informative, colorful video. Well done again! Can't wait for Venice.

[@dianegriffith3006]

Oh this was the best. Thank you Stephanie!!

[@sheilaghk6350]

Stunning art. Wonderful woman Fee. Amazing talent. Living colours. Fabulous vlog xx

[@snoopybluejeans]

The beauty in this vlog, brought happy tears to my eyes. Thank-you xo

[@sarahhudleston832]

Such I great video . Fee is a treasure. What she has achieved is incredible!

[@leandaeayrs8073]

Wow how wonderful are all those pieces and how talented the artists are, just fantastic!!!

[@josephinetetley-jones2727]

Wow how beautiful!What talented artists!

[@bronfebey]

Wow.. absolutely stunning artwork and Fee's enthusiasm for the work and the artists is contagious... Thank you so much for highlighting this amazing work...

[@MAC-op5fc]

Oh wow, absolutely fascinating. A bounty of talent in that room. Really enjoyed this - thank you so much.

[@earlaagaard8175]

Astounding Beauty!! Thank you so much for introducing us!!

[@pamkullman8839]

beautiful stuff! now I have great gift ideas for my South African Sister in law!

[@kathsmith4924]

So talented every item is absolutely amazing thank you for sharing I truly enjoyed this so inspiring

[@helenevans9332]

Brilliant wonderful video of beautiful art and an inspiring beautiful lady 💝

[@ginaparedes599]

love love love this video

[@yvonnekern5374]

This is so beautiful 😍

[@Engelhafen]

What an inspiring group of creators - she is a lovely person.

[@michellesmith2663]

Love from South Africa 🇿🇦 ❤

[@shannonstone2690]

Honestly this was probably my favorite episode so far. A visual feast for the eyes, and so inspirational. What an amazing studio, and even more amazing origin story. It’s wonderful to see so many talented and passionate people working together to build a beautiful story. I will be following Ardmore from here on out, and can’t wait to see what they come up with next! ❤️

[@cupofkona]

All of this is very nice!

[@spiritofanu3112]

I believe it is the ancient Japanese practice of repairing broken ceramics with gold. Not Chinese. Kintsugi (金継ぎ, "golden joinery"), also known as kintsukuroi (金繕い, "golden repair"), is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery by mending the areas of breakage with lacquer dusted or mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum; the method is similar to the maki-e technique.

[@Taraclellandjones]

When I win the lotto I will take one of EVERYTHING! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@marielcalder103]

What absolute joy this is! ☺️🌟💛

[@MrPrentissDJones]

Go to the website, it’s amazing!

[@almawebber]

Does Ardmore show at the International Home Furnishings Market in High Point NC - USA?

[@dumvivimus]

Thank you so much for this video. Unbelievable and beautiful. So inspirational!

[@DonniTom]

I love this woman. I want to spend a day with her.

[@jasondortch2313]

I love her!

[@robertarogers998]

Amazing. A thing of wonder indeed and all of us are so blessed to see it. Thank you, thank you for sharing with all of us. Such an amazing story and beauty.

[@maggieedberg574]

Absolutely stunning, thank you so much for this 🤗

[@annettesharrock1236]

Lovely things Beautiful xx

[@trudyvalentino4936]

Wow what a woman amazing 🌈

[@marianleblanc130]

Thank what wonderful things. I would have a hard time choosing something. 😘🇨🇦

[@debramcdonald2516]

Her ceramics make me think of Majolica dishes.

[@maryannaarnold3817]

The history of Ardmore is very exciting and interesting!!!! Thank you Stephanie and Philip, Family and Friends for taking us along!!!

[@jomo9862]

I hope the ARTIST ( Africans) are getting payed well for their service. I'm sure she's being well paid for the inspiration but, are they being paid well for their designs. In other words what images come from their minds eye. I looked online for these Ardmore Ceramics and a coffee pot (not) is $1,500 for the small Neiman Marcus sells.

[@morticiagomez6166]

I’m sure they are! They have the law on their side

[@juliacobb4355]

That may be the most incredibly touching video I’ve ever seen! I cried. That this lady from want of a job started a business with those around her in Africa who had a talent that was going unused as was hers. Together they have strived to share their art with the world with such success. “From a tiny grain of mustard seed”. Her faith in native craftswomen and men and all of their artistic natures being used together for such splendor. Hopefully I can afford wallpaper for my tiny bathroom from their design. Thank you for this.

[@TheIreneSchulze]

The detail and stories behind Ardmore design pieces is exquisite and inspiring. You must have been truly mind-blown!

[@floralwallpaper5553]

These pieces are gorgeous! As long as the artists are being paid fairly for all their hard work, I’m glad it’s being shared. They all have incredible talent.

[@1lunarin]

somewhat disheartning to see the creators of the beautfiul artwork, working squandered in small shops compared to the gift shop where their work is sold for thousands in luxury

[@TheChateauDiaries]

They’re in that space whilst a huge new studio is being built - it looks as though it will be beautiful!

[@hermannvdmerwe1375]

what is sad about this art is… its not accessible to normal south africans… its exclusively for the overseas market, because the currency is dismal in SA… the rand prices for them is truly outrageous… i stay a stone throw from the studio… i know those prices… and im not sayn the artists must not make money.. absolutely not. im fortunate to hv a few art pieces… but that whats truly great art is NOT accessible to normal art loving south africans… pity!

[@TheChateauDiaries]

It’s become fine art, and it’s out of the reach of most Europeans, too. I remember when it was affordable and I wish I’d bought more! But how wonderful for South Africa that they’ve become so globally recognized ❤️

[@Sgirl]

But this is true of fine art the world over. Two years ago I started following a London based artist on Instagram whose work I really love. At that time I could've bought one of his paintings for £1200. I kept thinking about it, but it would've been a splurge. But he'd recently gotten in several important shows throughout Europe and then he got representation and suddenly he's "hot" in the art world. I did a little Googling and saw that one of his older pieces just sold at auction for £32,000! Fine art is really only for the very wealthy and all that art loving average income folks can do is to keep looking around, hopefully find something you love by someone starting out, and get in at the very beginning before the wealthy discover them and drive up prices. Shoulda, coulda, woulda 🤷‍♀️

[@lavonnemountain6133]

You have outdone yourself this time, to find such an incroyable subject as this. Ardmore is an incredible business venture with Fee as the mentor to all of this raw talent! Gorgeous pottery , fabrics, wallpapers etc. I was jaw dropped again. As your vlogs tend to do. Made my day

[@kristinthornton2690]

Oh thanks for this! If it wasn't for you guys I wouldn't be exposed to such wonderful places and people and art!

[@starmysticcatarot4928]

It is amazing to watch two inspiring women talking to each other with such sparkle in their eyes. You were both glowing so much!! Add to that the amazing items found at Ardmore ... I am amazed by this episode! Thank you for sharing your incredible life with us :)

[@noreenalexander3836]

so glad you featured this amazing company. This past Thursday I attended their new exhibition in beautiful grounds of Cellars Hohenhort Hotel (Cape Town) launching their Jabula range -- exquisite and magical art!

[@TheChateauDiaries]

I wish I could have seen that!

[@jenniferhartman6474]

What beautiful works. Thank you for sharing the behind the scenes process at Ardmore and how much one person having an idea can change so many lives! Amazing story.

[@dm7761]

Oh Stephanie... I'm lost for words!! This is absolutely breathtaking.... Such rich and interesting art. Thank you for introducing us to this treasure!

[@ramonaduffey5016]

I feel like I have been introduced to the most important woman in the art world. Thank you so much. This kind of rocked my world.

[@marianapereira2130]

No wonder they say that Africa is the richest and the most beautiful continent in the world.It’s full of art, nature and amazing creative talented people. Thank you so much Stephanie for showing this gem to us.

[@faydrew6472]

I am speechless, such talent, such purity in everything made and such a giving loving lady. Thanking you so much. Just amazing.

[@alysrichardson9428]

Stunningly beautiful!! Pottery, design, textiles, wall paper, etc.

[@javieralara-faure4002]

Really beautiful and I love the fact that it’s collaborative and highlighting local artists in such a fabulous way!

[@amanda85_G]

Maybe next time you could interview the black artists themselves? Or finding a black artist in South Africa that is creating art inspired by their culture?

[@TheChateauDiaries]

The artists at Ardmore are very much creating art inspired by their culture!

[@amanda85_G]

@@TheChateauDiaries yes, that is not what I meant. I meant that maybe next time you could find and speak to a black artist in South Africa that is creating art inspired by their culture. Not the owner, or teacher, of the workshop that they provide their art too.

[@jennifercoughtrie4858]

Fascinating such beautiful work. Love that it is a community project as well.

[@iljacosper]

so what is the percentage of sales given to the artist?

[@PlantCrazyMom]

What a beautiful history behind this beautiful works of art! Thank you Stephanie for showing this beautiful part of the world for us who can't see this had it not been for you.

[@SilviaAxisa-rn1gn]

What a wonderful lady she is ,and the art work is something else,the cat art wow,and the wallpaper ,the staffs,I could go on for ever

[@leanneevans1838]

How absolutely stunning, what exquisite artwork. How fabulous to hear the stories behind the pieces. Thank you Stephanie for sharing such an interesting video this week. Just love it!!

[@LaPrincessa1947]

How are the artisans themselves being directly benefitted?

[@liesavillandre3481]

Wow, wow, wow! What an adventure in art! Beautiful and moving, your artists have such a rich story. Thanks for sharing.

[@NosyHausfrau]

WOW. This is incredible. These two were meant to meet and they have so much in common. On top of that, the artwork is phenomenal. Fee Halstad is very humble. She absolutely did teach everyone around her and made their lives better, including a girl with polio who was unable to do any other type of work due to her illness. She's done a LOT for people and I'm so glad Stephanie pointed that out. (skilled interviewing) I recommend googling Ardmore work. There is a pangolin vase that is so stunning; the tales of two of them are handles.

[@dragonbry67]

Her pieces are very expensive. I have suspicions that the artists don't see much of that.

[@tc7486]

I never dreamed I’d be interested in something like this! Stephanie, you really are showing us the world! Thank you so much.

[@nlbhaduri]

What amazing artists and incredible imagination to create these masterpieces! Ardmore seeems to be an artist’s haven, promoting creativity and community! Well done! Now, I’m going to check out the website…

[@debm460]

Love this! This is how things should be as we come out of the pandemic. More love, art and beauty. An awakened way to do business where everyone shares and no one is knocked down. Great job Stephanie. 🇨🇦❤️

[@jadejohns3107]

Oh my gosh! I was so going to suggest a day trip to Ardmore as your guide. So pleased you discovered them xox

[@jennifercampbell7698]

Amazing work by these indigenous artists. I have great respect and admiration for art produced by native artists using their totems and symbolic themes. Thank you Steph for highlighting these works of art.

[@lotusdolphin]

Oh my gosh I am in total awe!!! Fee and her Motley crew of incredible artists and what she’s done for the whole culture and South Africa is beyond admirable. What an angel in her own right. Those pieces are just I’m lost for words. I have to say incredible again. The raw talent that these people have are beyond amazing. I can’t wait to go to the website and check Ardmore out. Thank you so much Stephanie for bringing this wonderful woman to light with her Merry band of artists!!! Love from me in California🤟🏻😎💜🍀🇺🇸

[@helenaneumann1872]

Very interesting and inspiring. Great artists. Hope the artists get paid well...

[@ellenhaselman5020]

Fabulous tour and Fee is so enthusiastic and so passionte about her and her artists creations thx ❤

[@user-bx5xf5ki8r]

I am 76 and a newbie to pottery making. My heart was skipping with joy as I watched this amazing pottery designs from South Africa. Phillip you did an amazing job filming. Really captured the feeling of the pieces. Thank you both so much. Tucson, Arizona

[@lorrainechircop4411]

Ardmore, what a place. My goodness. Absolutely amazing and the talent, outstanding... ❤🇦🇺

[@Lovemy60to70era]

Stephanie you just broadened my knowledge of what amazing talent is out there in the world, thank you. I would love to own a piece no matter how small of this art it is magnificent. ❤