"I'd had a small taste of it [working with ceramics] a few years before, but I hadn't touched it for a while because I'd been busy with work and kids," she said.

What began as a hobby during a difficult time soon developed into a full-blown creative passion.

"Rather than look at what it [the illness] took away, I prefer to focus on what positives came out of it," Van Veen said.

A career in ceramic art has since blossomed, with Van Veen's unique sculptures creating a buzz during last year's Open Studios program, a project that encourages Maribyrnong artists to open up their creative experience to the public. Since 2007, Open Studios has featured a range of artists welcoming the public into studios, or places that have particularly inspired their work.

For Van Veen, that creative space was to be the front room of her home.

She has since been inundated with requests to start ceramic classes, and while plans for formal classes are still in their infancy, the exposure of her work to the wider public has proved to be priceless.

"I've also managed to create a contact database for people who are interested in my work, so I can contact them directly and let them know when I am exhibiting my work."

Open Studios 2010 is now accepting applications from artists and makers to open private studios, art spaces or galleries to the public.

Details: www.openstudiosinthewest.net. Registrations close at 5pm this Friday.