Handmade production
Handmade in my studio
in Helsinki
Handling the material and the whole production cycle myself is a source of my inspiration. The process can be slow with just two hands but it keeps me rooted to my objects and to the process. I’m very material-based creator and by carrying out numerous tests and experiments and even more compromises, I find the most intriguing result together with the material. The chemistry of ceramics is endlessly fascinating and my long studies in the field have provided an excellent basis for understanding it, which is an eternal journey of exploration.
My studio is located in an old industrial building at Airam’s former lamp factory in Helsinki. From prototypes to initial experiments with forms and chemistry, I finalise every item myself with care. Though I’m very precise, I emphasize and sometimes highlight, imperfections in the handmade products. My objects are quite often a combination of various techniques brought together in one piece.
About sustainability
In my production, I mainly use porcelain with my own formula, because it is durable, high-quality and more ecological than average, as it has a bit lower firing temperature than porcelain usually has. Half of its raw materials come from Kemiö area in Finland, and other half from the Cornwall region in England, UK. Besides porcelain clay, I occasionally use traditional Finnish red earthenware clay from Somero (it has beautiful, rough structure and ferrous tone of Finnish soil) and high-quality porcelain-like stoneware from UK.
A lot of water can be consumed in the various working stages of ceramics. In my studio production I have adapted a small water recycling system where I recycle my usage water for as long as possible and filter out glaze and clay residues for reuse. In a small studio, you can be quite creative when it comes to recycling and sustainability. Clay is also endlessly recyclable as long as it hasn’t been fired into ceramics, so naturally I recycle all my excessive clay. When clay is fired into ceramics it becomes eternal. In order to save natural resources and energy, I consider carefully what I’m firing and I mainly make my art and design to order.
Pre-Orders
Pre-order system means no overproduction. It means ability to offer customised objects to all my customers and less wastage. It also means a slower delivery time, but good things are worth waiting for.
Making ceramics is a slow process overall and making a single object involves numerous work steps. I make every item myself with love and care.