Ceramics Babette Noble is the creator of a finely detailed range of locally inspired household ceramic goods. Bloom-Stoppered oil lamps, protea-embellished platters and rhino planters are some of the creations to come out of the Durban creative's studio. How long have you been a creating ceramics and what sparked your interest in them?I qualified as a mining engineer at the University of Witwatersrand. I worked in the mines and later at Unilever in Durban.It was during maternity leave that I did a mosaic-making course and then started ceramic classes once a week. I fell in love with ceramics - the feel, the structure of it, everything about it. I found that it combined the best of engineering and art.I have now been doing this for one-and-a-half years as a business - as well as consulting as an engineer to large FMCG [fast-moving consumer goods] businesses. I am also a mom to two amazing boys and a wife to very supportive husband.What's your design aesthetic and creative process?Coming from an engineering background, I am drawn to things with a repetition of patterns and geometry - often found in nature. All my work is proudly South African - inspired by our beautiful selection of fynbos and flowers as well as the incredible sea life we have around us.I work best when listening to what my husband refers to as "hippy music". I do a lot of research on flowers, plants, corals. I take the pictures. In my studio I replicate the images to clay. Usually after drying they fall apart or they hold and I look at how I can integrate them into some of my current range of products.What do you enjoy most about what you do?I enjoy the freedom of creating and transforming a blob of clay into something beautiful that people want to pay money for and put in their home. My most exciting project coming up is the installation at the newly refurbished Victoria Hospital in Tongaat. This piece is going to be a true celebration of Durban and I'm really excited to start this project.What challenges you most?The most challenging aspect of any artist is always been positive and believing in your work and its value. Finding the balance to be true to yourself as an artist and selling your pieces commercially is very difficult as is the issue of finding enough time in the day to do the things you love.Tell us about the ceramic-making classes you offer.I love hosting ceramic classes as it's a chance for people to share my passion for ceramics. It works best in a group of about six to seven friends and it's a great way to connect doing something creative. I teach my clients how to make beautiful platters even if they have no previous experience in ceramics. It costs R300 which includes all materials and a glass of wine.Bookings are through babette@noblehandcraft.com..