Meet Oak & Amber owner Emma Amos. Emma opened Oak & Amber originally as a hair salon in 2006 to create a space to work from home and be with her children. Emma had a clear vision of creating a space that people would come to relax and leave feeling invigorated and nurtured. Her dream is to slowly build her business across 30 years into a small local mecca for arts and well being, inspired by concepts like Montsalvat in Eltham and Lot 19 in Castlemaine. She dreams big and loves watching life unfold. Nature and love are her two greatest inspirations. "Being an artist brings the most fantastically interesting people into your world. Creating freely every day, utilising elements of nature fills my soul." Emma Amos

Oak & Amber is based on 5 acres in picturesque Wattle Glen, 25kms northeast of Melbourne. The old farm house is around 150 years old and has quite a history. Salon owner Emma Amos started renovating in 1997 when she was just 19 years old. The house looks out to trees, pasture and a mob of kangaroos are usually hanging around. Parking is plentiful and has wheelchair access.

The moment people walk into the studio the usual response is "wow". It is a well considered, comfortable space ready for creating and relaxing. From the mud brick and bottle walls to the circular deck where the outdoor bath lives this place is full of wonder and beauty. Emma's Mum is often around helping out with welcoming and the orders of a 'cuppa'. Her renowned Joanie special is an Earl Grey tea with a little honey and a dash of milk, made with all the love a Nanna could give. Often a little head will pop in for a hello from one of Emma's or any of the local kids. The atmosphere is incredibly wholesome and nurturing, while maintaining a professional and serene vibe. It truly is a golden find and a rare gem.

While travelling around Australia in 2019, Emma felt called by the natural textures and colours of the Outback to rekindle her love of ceramics. She created moulds and direct pressings in clay from shells, stone, bark, leaves, flowers, grasses and what ever magical natural items she could get her hands on. With each pressing the spark grew brighter and brighter. The delight at being able to find the right glazes and dressings to bring out the best balance and potential from each piece fills Emma's heart. This evolved into creating larger, broader pieces including practical homewares and sculpture and even ceramic firing tools. Pressings evolved into laces and fabrics, body pressings and temperature experiments and so much more. "Ceramics is an endless experiment that crosses over into other mediums like timber and metal work. It is all a joy and an adventure I look forward to immersing my self in indefinitely." Emma Amos