Meet Eva Eljasz | Ceramic artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Eva Eljasz and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Eva, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Few years ago, I started taking ceramic classes in New York and pottery became my passion. I discovered that working with my hands is my meditative state. Then the passion became a profession, by working at the ceramic studio Franca in Brooklyn. In 2021 I moved to California and decided to create my own collection of ceramic tableware. The next step was natural, opening a studio and starting my own business.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I see pottery as the act of combining earth, water and fire to create unique shapes. I started my practice with classic Japanese wheel thrown, learned the process of slip-casting and ended up falling in love with hand-building. The hand-building techniques provides the freedom to work on any kind of shapes. This was a big part I was missing on a wheel. I master the technic by reading, watching videos, learning from peers and of course ton of practice.
I took many classes with different masters and different techniques, this way I could achieve a large knowledge, but ceramic is an ever evolving process. To need to keep on practice to evolve.

I like to form clean organic shapes that are useful and practical for everyday life. My client would be the type of person who cares about their home interior and mindful about decor.
When I start Alef Ceramics, my friends and family were always supportive and encouraging me to keep developing my art. They were my first customers and today I really want to go further and show to the world more of my handmade art.

My main challenge is balancing motherhood and running a business. It’s very challenging to find the time to perfect my ceramic practice and making sure my kids receive the full attention they need to succeed. With that said, I’m a mother first and a business owner second.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I am new to SouthCalifornia so I would go to the main places I discover and like. Newport Beach, Lido Island, Balboa Island, Corona Del Mar, and go a little bit more south to Laguna Beach where the sunset is absolutely stunning, and the art culture is all over. Orange County fells like your are always on vacations, and the beauty of the views where you can see the montagne on the left covered by snow and the beach on your right is a must see.

As I am following a vegan diet, I would go to Gracias Madre, Seabird and to the best vegan donuts ever Good Town doughnuts.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My mentors, two amazing woman Jazmin and Sierra from Franca. They encourage me, pushed me forward and guided me through the all process. I met them in New York and worked for them, but more than that, they always support me and help me combine my motherhood and my studio life.

Website: www.alefceramics.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alefceramics/