Michelle Anton is finishing up a repair to a ceramic cookie jar lid at the SIRCH Repair Cafe in Haliburton. Just then, another visitor arrives with a 1940s-era gravy boat from her parents’ wedding china set — along with its broken handle. Michelle uses a similar approach to each repair – cleaning the breaks with alcohol, and applying a thin layer of clear Gorilla-brand glue to the broken pieces. She lets the glue set for a few minutes, carefully re-sets the pieces, and tapes them to apply pressure. We asked Michelle – a high-school teacher by profession — to share more about her approach to the potter’s craft and volunteer roles.

What’s your biggest reward as a fixer?

What I do here often allows people to keep a sentimental object – it may be a family heirloom. Now they can continue to enjoy it, and perhaps display it or use it again once it is repaired. That’s a good feeling.

Where did you learn pottery?

When my youngest son was 12, I was looking for programs that might keep him busy in the summer. We were living in Toronto and I found a local pottery studio that offered children’s classes. I enrolled my son and offered to help out with the class.

It turned out it wasn’t a great fit for my son, but I really got into it. The teacher was a nun, Sister Helen. I helped her, and I also learned from her. I started to make my own pots and obtained my first potter’s wheel and kiln. I enjoy making bowls of brown clay with carved lines and glazing.

How would you describe your approach to pottery?

Most important for me is taking a cooperative approach. To help the community, I organized an event recently called Empty Bowls. We had local potters make bowls, and 12 local restaurants make soup. Participants chose a bowl to sample the soups and then took it home as a reminder of world hunger. We were able to raise about $9,000 to support three community programs – the SIRCH Community Kitchen, the Haliburton 4Cs Food Bank and the Fuel for Warmth program.

The repaired cookie jar lid and gravy boat handle will set to touch in about an hour. Then their owners can take them home and remove the tape the following day. What’s ahead for Michelle? She’s looking forward to setting up a full pottery studio at her off-grid home near Haliburton. “Right now, I’m modifying an electric kiln to operate on propane. And I’m always looking to organize more cooperative pottery events or groups in future.”

****************************************

In 2024, Michelle and her fellow volunteer fixers at SIRCH made a big commitment to sustainability. They repaired more than 500 items ranging from ceramics and clothing to electronics and small appliances. Toss it? No way!

For more information on Haliburton’s SIRCH Community Services and its Repair Cafe, please visit: sirch.on.ca