I’ve long had a thing for ceramics. I seem to be attracted to them wherever I travel. Once on a trip to Mexico, I snagged a sweet stacking coffee cup/saucer/single serving pitcher from a Grupo Habita hotel, which I still own and love. In Italy I’ve gravitated toward the hand painted plates and pasta bowls of Deruta, and in Paris I’ve collected white tabletop and even chic little Polar Bear statues from the flea market.
You can imagine that my cabinets are pretty stacked with plates, bowls and vases: I seem to keep acquiring, sometimes just for sport. So it’s no wonder that in the research for Archive I’ve come across so many gorgeous ceramics that I’ve wanted to share. Some - like the splatterware from our friends at March SF - are known in the design community. Others - like these 8 amazing female artists below - are resources that I just met, and think you’ll love.
Each has their own unique spin on the art, and all make usable, everyday items. Read on and support small batch artists with these fab finds!
ERIKA PETERSDOTTER
"My style can be described as modern Scandinavian with inspiration from Japan. I like simple clean forms and making things that you could use in the daily life, mostly in stoneware. I like to keep the rawness and natural colors of the clay as much as I can in the finished piece."
VIRGINIA FELIX
"Objects have a personal language of their own. They carry a spirit and soul, becoming companions on our journey as possessions. Each piece is designed to reflect on the importance of human interaction with objects in our daily lives. A mug isn't truly a mug until it becomes yours."
TANYA PTITSYNA
"Every day I feel that my story just begins. Our goal is to change the culture of consumption of ceramics. Show that good handmade ceramics can be available, can be created with consistent quality, is easy to use, and is very durable. Handmade ceramics can bring happiness to everyone around!"
CAMILLE BECKLES
"I love this art form because it is a chance to make something out of nothing, and the learning opportunities are endless. Plus, for a perfectionist like me, it’s an important reminder to take nothing too seriously, hold on to nothing too tightly, and to occasionally let one’s senses take the lead over one’s brain. I hope my work brings you joy and usefulness, in equal measure."
JAZMIN DE LA GUARDIA & SIERRA YIP-BANNICQ
"With each piece, we aim to fuse modern designs with the warmth of handmade aesthetics to create a unique and timeless look. As part of our commitment to being a socially conscious brand, we regularly collaborate with non-profit organizations to produce limited releases of products designed to raise awareness and funds for important causes that align with our values."
CARRIE LAU
“The creative process is not just about producing something new but is also a form of meditation in which I communicate my thoughts and ideas through physical creation. My works include ceramics-making, painting, and designing, all of which draw inspiration from the colors, textures, and shapes of daily life, nature, and various cultures experienced through travel. I find joy while remaining present in the moment and explore things around me.”
MICHAL KEREN GELMAN
"I love to take a clay sheet, fold it, give it a capacity, and create a container. Then play with rough and the delicate forms, the horizontal and the vertical, and movement versus stillness. Though delicate and fine looking, the pots are extremely practical. They are fired to a high temperature, dipped in my own glaze recipes, and can be used with any kitchen appliances."
SARAH KERSTEN
"Our work is known for its beauty and its durability. Much of our aesthetic has grown out of the natural tendencies of the materials that we work with. We love high fired stoneware for the beauty of its features— which are always muted and subtle in hue— and for its strength. These traits, together with a passion for seasonal cooking, a great love of being and making at home, and a deep respect for pottery tradition, make our work what it is. We aspire to create pieces that are sculpturally beautiful, effortlessly functional, and of heirloom quality."