trying car camping with my jimny and making a bowl

i wanted to try my jimny for camping and also make a bowl for this month’s video.

i’ve always been interested in camping food, especially cooking over fire, and i ended up using this bowl for many different meals.

in the past, i used to do bikepacking, so i was used to traveling light and carrying only lightweight items. because of that, the idea of making a ceramic piece for camping never felt right. but after switching to car camping, i realized this could actually work.

for this bowl, i tried an epsom salt technique and made some simple, soft lines inside. i usually add epsom salt by eye, and so far it has worked well for me. i haven’t had issues like cracking or problems during the process.

i shared the whole process on youtube. if it sounds interesting to you, you can watch it through the link. the video includes not only the pottery process, but also some simple camping meals.

Flower Shaped Cups – This Week in the Studio

This week in the studio, I worked on flower shaped cups.

The softly wavy rims give each piece a gentle movement. Every cup was shaped individually carrying small differences in form and surface. 

I stamped each one at the base and seeing them together after the firing felt special.
I also filmed the process.

You can watch the making of these cups on my YouTube channel.

Epsom Salt Surface Experiment

I mixed Epsom salt into slip and used it to create these raised lines on the surface.

I’ve tested this technique before on smaller pieces, but this is the first time I’m trying it on larger forms. I made these bowls for myself — partly as an experiment, partly just to explore the surface. I really like how they look in their raw state.

Now I’m unsure what kind of glaze to use. Something that highlights the texture? Or something more subtle and soft? I haven’t decided yet. Let’s see what they become after firing.

 

 

 

A Cycling Trip Through Denmark

Last summer we did a cycling trip in Denmark. I did not plan it in detail. Only two places were clear from the beginning: Copenhagen and Møns Klint. Everything else was left to the road. When I look back now, I think this is what made the trip special.

One of our first stops was Aarhus. We did not plan to stay there long. But when we arrived, we decided to spend one night. It was a good decision. The city felt warmer and more lively than I expected. We drank good coffee, walked through calm streets, and cycling around the city was very easy. There was also a deer park. Even though we stayed only a short time, Aarhus helped us slow down at the beginning of the trip.
After Aarhus, the road moved towards Møns Klint. I knew this place from photos, but being there felt very different. Møns Klint is made of white chalk cliffs that were formed millions of years ago by sea life. Today these high cliffs face the Baltic Sea. People come here mainly for nature. It is not a place to see quickly and leave. It is a place to stay, to walk, and to slow down.

I walked a lot at Møns Klint. On the top, below, on forest paths, and on long stairs. Every part felt different, so I wanted to spend time everywhere. The white cliffs, the texture of the stones, and the color of the sea together create a very strong view.

When I went down to the beach, I noticed fossils and stones. I looked at them for a long time. I picked some up and then put them back. I also swam in the sea. It was cold, but it felt right in that moment. Like something you should do if you are there.

Møns Klint is also known for stargazing. I set an alarm, but I was too tired and did not wake up at night. I did not see this as a failure. I left it as a reason to come back another time. Camping is something I am already used to. I do not need to do everything in one visit. Leaving some moments for the future feels better. I left Møns Klint knowing I want to return.

After that, we continued cycling towards Copenhagen. We stopped in other places on the way. Some stops were planned, others were completely by chance. Following the flow of the road was an important part of this trip. During this journey, one thing I noticed was the number of ceramic artists I saw. Small workshops, people making things, and ceramics being part of daily life. In a place so close to nature, this felt very natural and very inspiring.

When we arrived in Copenhagen, I visited some ceramic artists I already knew and wanted to see. As a ceramic artist myself, finishing the trip this way felt very satisfying. Seeing the work and being in the places where it is made was important to me.

Completing this route by bicycle also left a strong feeling. It was physically tiring, but mentally very refreshing. This trip was not about doing many things. It was about staying inside what was happening. A few places were clear, and the rest was shaped on the road.
I think this is why it stayed with me for so long.

A new Youtube Vlog!

A new video is now live on my YouTube channel.

From an sea walk to the studio this video shows the process behind my black clay cups.

 

My New YouTube Video with the Rohde HMT600

I spent some time trying simple, free-form shapes with no particular goal other than getting used to the rhythm of the machine. A few small curves, a flower-like opening here and there and some pieces that didn’t quite work out but still taught me something. All part of settling into a new tool.

The video includes a short unboxing clip, the sound of the wheel, a few early pieces and a bit of my cleaning routine at the end. It’s a silent, slow studio vlog  just the process as it happened.

Watch the video here

Chasing the Iron Dot Effect

Over the past few weeks, I tried to achieve this effect using iron under dots applied under or just beneath the glaze. During firing, the iron melts and spreads slightly, with the center turning dark brown to nearly black, and the edges developing a subtle rust-like hue.

In my first attempt where I applied the iron very thinly, it flowed almost like water. In the areas where I applied it thickly, bubbling and separation from the surface occurred. 

For the second attempt, I hadn’t planned on doing it but out of impatience I quickly added it to my Cone 6 kiln. The result was a dark blotch; without sufficient flow, the effect lost its vitality and looked unattractive.

For the final attempt, I refined the recipe and fired it at Cone 9. The effect I was aiming for finally appeared. The centers were dark, almost black brown, and the edges had a delicate, warm rust tone. The iron remained slightly flowed but maintained its form, creating the lively, balanced effect I had envisioned.The glaze itself was quite thick almost the consistency of yogurt, which added to the depth and texture of the effect.

Red Iron Dots Recipe

Red Iron Oxide – 45 g

Frit 3124 – 40 g

Kaolin – 15 g

Silica – 22 g

Gerstley Borate – 10 g

These small but effective adjustments allowed the iron to move naturally beneath the glaze, giving the surface a sense of depth and life and making each piece feel unique.

This week I also filmed a video for YouTube capturing my experience making a ceramic piece from start to finish. Now I’m waiting for the glaze to be fired but it was a great experience and I’ll be sharing it soon. I might also return to sharing on Instagram though writing here feels more personal and comfortable for now.

 

Yunomi?

This blue cup with its slightly wide and subtly angular form might look simple at first glance. But the natural mix of beige and blue glaze creating soft, flowing patterns, reveals a different face every time. My recent cups have had a more minimalist stone-like feel; this one however, stands alongside them with both harmony and a distinct character.

One of my favorite details is the small variations that emerge after firing: the flow of the glaze and the blending of colors make each piece completely unique.

The shape of the rim makes sipping effortless, and when held in the hand, the geometric form seems to fit naturally, almost as if the cup has adapted to your grip. Drinking tea or coffee from it feels far beyond using an ordinary cup—you really sense the delicacy and individuality of handmade ceramics.

I considered listing this cup on Etsy, but part of me wondered if I should keep it for myself. Some pieces are just so special that you want to enjoy them daily, not just share them with others. This cup is definitely one of those.

A Cup With Two Ears

This little two-handled cup has been with me for about two years now. I first made it after reading some Etsy reviews where people were looking for cups with two handles—I hadn’t known before that for some, holding a regular cup can be tricky.

While making it, I didn’t focus only on that need; I wanted it to feel sweet and a bit playful too. The handles turned into ears, a tiny nose appeared in the front, and suddenly it became more like a character than just a cup.

It’s still one of my favorites, maybe because it carries both a story and a smile.

Dancing Figures, Relief Ceramic Tile

 

Nudibranch Glaze

 

a Secret Salt Shaker

 While working on the secret salt shaker, my main focus was creating a design that was both functional and included the hidden hole surprise. Shaping the clay on the wheel required careful attention to keep the walls thin and balanced; the bottom hole needed to be durable while still working smoothly.

 

Working on the wheel was very instructive, as it allowed me to spot and correct small imperfections immediately. I adjusted the volume and balance with the surprise in mind, considering how the salt would pour. After drying, the high-fire firing made the piece strong and smooth. Applying the glaze was critical too; I experimented to achieve an aesthetic finish without affecting the bottom hole or overall balance.

The result is a handmade, slightly unique salt shaker—functional but also playful. Working on the wheel and bringing this design to life taught me a lot, especially about proportion and balance.

 

By the way, I reopened my Etsy shop today after many years!  I also got my website for KupObjects ready and added some products—there’s still room for growth, of course. I’ve been wanting to create my own site on Cargo.site for a long time, and now it’s finally done.

White Matte and Nudibranch Tests

Over the past few days in the studio, I’ve been testing a white matte glaze as well as another glaze called Nudibranch on a series of small bowls, to see how they behave on different clay bodies

The blue nudibranch in the center and the bowl above it were glazed with the same base but with a blue colorant added. All the other bowls are coated with the plain white matte breaking base glaze. The interesting part? Even though the recipe was exactly the same, the results came out quite different because of the clay bodies.

On light clay bodies, the glaze fired to a cool, silky matte white. On warmer-toned clays, it developed subtle brown speckles and the breaking effect became more pronounced, especially along the rims, where it really highlights the shape and texture.

Opening the kiln and spotting these small differences is still the most exciting part for me. Same glaze, same firing — yet completely different results depending on the clay. That’s exactly why I love testing.