This is Mr. Bilbo Baggins of Bag End in the Shire. 

I made Bilbo while doing year 9 in 1983 at Mooroolbark Technical School.  I was 14. 

He was to have a mop of curly hair after he was fired, but unfortunately I left too many air pockets in him while making Bilbo and he blew up in the kiln!

Oh well, such is life! 

Although, with the encouragement of my Arts teacher at the time Karen Branchflower, this all eventually inspired me to go onto greater things.

Who would have thought that this little feller would be the beginnings of 'Shawramics Ceramics' eh?!