WORDS: Abi Prowse
PICTURES: from ceramicists
My socials know me better than I know myself. Currently a patchwork of dog Reels, bright interiors, and grainy street photography, my Instagram Explore page is a mood board of my innermost desires, adapting with the seasons, or as my lifestyle changes. And for creators and small businesses, this tiny slice of the internet represents an opportunity to turn their passion into a full-time job, acting as a virtual window display showcasing their wares to exactly the right audience. In fact, according to The Small Business Blog, almost 10% of 1.393 billion monthly users on Instagram use the app for shopping.
It was on my Explore page that I stumbled across Marta, Camille, Marijana and Nedo: four ceramicists whose crisp aesthetics and artfully curated products cut through the jumbled static of my algorithm. There’s a beauty in the imperfection of their products, no two mugs or vases quite the same – and as society veers away from the obvious and the mass-produced, favouring instead handmade trinkets with personality, these artists have found their feet.
I spoke to these ceramicists about their style, inspiration, and the story behind their brand; in doing so, I began to truly appreciate the dedication that goes into each piece they create.
French Romanticism and Pastel Chic
Poppy Ceramics
Camille is the face behind Poppy Ceramics: a brand whose floral colours and simple shapes are influenced by France’s Atlantic coastline. “I’m inspired most by the nature surrounding my hometown,” she explained. “Whenever I walk on the beach, it gives me new ideas. I also find a lot of inspiration for baking and fashion photos on Instagram.” A few years ago, Camille took a leap of faith, leaving her 9-5 and launching her brand.
How did you first become a ceramicist?
“I started making ceramics 2 years ago in a little local studio next to my home. At the beginning, it was just a way to relax after work, but I quickly fell in love with it. I’ve worked almost 2 years on my project (creating my brand, finding the right strategy) and today it’s my full-time job.”
Describe your style
“Handmade, romantic ceramics to cherish forever in your home. My style is quite minimalistic – I like to use very simple designs and not too many colours. I always keep in mind that the pieces will be used with food, so I prefer to keep it simple and pleasing to the eye.”
Pick one: function or aesthetics
“Functionality is so important. Today I almost exclusively make large mugs because I’ve noticed that I personally never use mugs if they’re too small. The challenge is to make an aesthetic piece that’s also very easy to use.”
Camille’s beautiful mugs can be found on her website and Instagram.
Vibrant Colours and Ocean Waves
Só Marta Ceramics
Anyone who has seen Marta’s work won’t be surprised to discover her Portuguese roots. Based in the vibrant waterfront city of Porto, Só Marta Ceramics pays homage to the country’s iconic ‘azulejos’: intricately patterned tiles which adorn Portugal’s careworn houses. The brand began in June 2020, initially selling handmade ceramic earrings which could be mixed and matched. She writes that “life will be more beautiful if you wear one of my pieces,” and I can’t help but agree.
When did you start creating your pieces?
“I started making pottery in 2020. I have a friend who had been making pottery for a few years and it sparked my curiosity to try it. It’s not my full-time job yet – right now, it’s a hobby. I’m currently studying and working in the multimedia field.”
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What most inspires your work?
“One of my biggest inspirations is nature – we can be so creative when the theme is nature. I also have a great passion for interior design and anything to do with decorating. I’ve always liked a more minimalist style and simple decorations. Although the colours of my pieces are in brighter shades, the design is always simple.”
Is design more important than appearance?
“Aesthetic is the main element of many of my pieces. I create ceramics that are very different from each other to make them completely unique. I always think about the materials I use – for example the earring bases and the clasps are made of stainless steel, to avoid causing any allergic reactions in my customers. For my vases, plates, and mugs, functionality is very important. The mugs have to be well-insulated to hold tea, coffee, and other liquids. The same also applies to vases.”
The price of Marta’s ceramics range by size, from 10€ to 50€. You can browse and purchase her pieces on her Instagram.
Earthy Tones and Minimal Shapes
Brakovic Ceramics
Partners in both life and business, Marijana and Nedo are the artists behind Brakovic Ceramics. The couple’s gallery sits proudly in the Old Town of Rovinj, Croatia, and has been welcoming visitors from around the world for 18 years, who are charmed by the earthy tones and soft shapes of their pottery.
How did Brakovic Ceramics begin?
“Marijana graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Rijeka, gaining a degree in Art Education and Pedagogy, and Nedo completed his training in Barcelona at the famous Massana School of Art and Design. The story behind our studio is also the story behind our relationship; we met during a kiln delivery, and the rest, as they say, is history. We fell in love, got married, started a family, and grew our business together.
Nedo was working in a completely different business and ceramics was something of a fascination for him. He decided to turn this passion into his calling, and went to Barcelona to train in the art of ceramics. For Marijana, ceramics was one of the things she studied during her degree. After graduating, she was determined to pursue a career in that direction. We spend our days in the studio making art together; when we’re not creating pottery, we’re talking about it.”
Evoke the essence of your ceramics in one sentence
“Functional pieces that reflect our love for elegant and simple aesthetics, with a high level of attention to every detail.
We believe that perfect pieces must be both beautiful and functional, and this is the philosophy that leads us in our creative endeavours.”
Which is your favourite product to create?
“The most interesting – but also the most complicated and time-consuming – is creating wall art from ceramic tiles. We work on these together, from concept development through to the end product.”
Marijana and Nedo’s products can be admired in their gallery at Zdenac 13, Rovinj, Croatia. Some samples are also available on their Etsy site.
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