WHO WE ARE

We are a small family-run business with just 3 people at the core of it all.

We work across many avenues:

  • host short-term and long-term pottery workshops and retreats

  • make heirloom tableware for families

  • make restaurant dinnerware and collaborate with chefs

  • create exclusive one-of ceramic art&design piece

  • collaborate with food-photographers and interior designers

  • work wholesale with home&lifestyle designer shops and galleries around the world

  • design tableware for other brands such as VaidavaCeramics and PorcelānaFabrika

  • we have created a Horse Sanctuary “LaimesZirgi” based in holistic animal co-living principles


Notions of stewardship, sustainability, and social empowerment form the underlying ethos behind Laimas practice.


“Nestled in the deep countryside of Latvia, I design and create unique items to become part of your life story, things intended to make the otherwise mundane tasks of cooking, eating, and drinking full of mindfulness, care, and beauty.

I hope to inspire a desire within you to think carefully about the objects you have in your life. I believe in handmade, well made, and slowly made.

I work to restore the balance of unique items against the mass products that surround us. I believe that cultivating an attitude of care towards objects around us will reflect in our relationships and, on a larger scale, our worldview.

I make tableware that brings quiet beauty into everyday life. I pray for a future where all things around us are made in the spirit of gratitude and joy, honouring nature and everything upon it.”


About laima
 

The founder of “Laima Ceramics” – Laima Grigone – was born in Latvia and attended Bauska Art School. After gaining Diploma in Photography she moved to the UK to do Foundation Degree in Art and Design at the Oxford Brookes University (2009).

In 2013 Laima received a BA degree in Contemporary Crafts from Falmouth University where she gained experience in working with clay, wood, metal and glass. During her studies her work was not bound to one format – ranging from mixed-media installations to light design.

In 2012 Laima became an apprentice to the ceramic master Ingrīda Žagata (studio Cepļi). Since then her main passion has been ceramics.

In 2013 she received ELFLA funding and set up a studio in Rundāle (Latvia) creating functional tableware.

In 2016 the first two horses arrive and the Horse Sanctuary is created

in 2019 Laima received MA degree in Ceramics at Latvian Art Academy.


ABOUT THE STUDIO

In 2013 the studio opens its doors to the public, housed in renovated 100yo brick building in Rundale, Latvia

In 2018 the new studio and loft is built to accommodate the growing business and provide accommodation for ceramic students as well as to host various short-term and long-term creative ceramic workshops for both local and international audience.

In 2021 Artist Residency house is renovated - providing additional space to host our growing international community of pottery artists.

In 2022 Oksana Berķe joins the studio as studio assistant

In 2023 Krišjānis Piliņš joins the studio - doing photography, wood carving and graphic design




 
 
 
Earth benders. Soil tenders. Mud caressing, joy embracing, tea brewing women. We take small pieces of earth and caress them into offerings to the world. The offering of the heart, of the hand, of the spirit. The work is unglamorous, repetitive, technical, and humble. Making pots. Oh, darling, it is not pots we are making, We are tending to spirits, to people across the globe thirsty for things with soul and meaning and dignity and grace embedded at the core. It is the most important work. At the same time, it is really nothing special, just earth shaping.

In times like these, it is even more important to love what you do and do what you love, whichever way you can move it.

Potters keep potting, weavers keep weaving, carvers keep carving, dancers keep dancing, singers keep singing, cats keep purring.
— Laima

EXHIBITONS

Svaiga gaļa kritikai, Art Academy of Latvia Graduation show, Kronvalda 4, Riga, Latvia, 2019

NYNOW, New York, USA, 2019

TSUBAKI found LAIMA, personal show, Tokyo, Japan, 2018

Interior Lifestyle Tokyo, Japan, 2018

Interior Lifestyle Tokyo, Japan, 2017

Maison&objet, Paris, France, 2015

SaltFox Collective - One Year On, Trinity Gallery, UK, 2014

London Design Festival, Mint, London, UK, 2013

New Designers, London Bussiness Design Center, UK, 2013

Degree Show, Design Center, Falmouth University, UK, 2013

Biodiversity, Royal Cornwall Museum, Truro, UK, 2013

AIR: Pressure, Academy for Innovation and Research, UK, 2013

SaltFox Collective, Trinity Gallery, UK, 2013

Love at the Poly, Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society, UK, 2013

You are here, Trelissick Garden (National Trust commission)

UK, 2012 Follow the Trail, Lander Gallery, UK, 2012

Follow us on IG @LaimaCeramics

Meet the Team

  • laima piliņa

    Founder, designer/maker

  • Krišjānis Piliņš

    Photography, graphic design

  • Oksana Berķe

    Production manager, Packing Queen, Customer service

  • Džera

    Head of Security

  • Minne

    Chief Quality Control

    Customer Service Manager

  • Džeronimo

    in love with Laima

  • Laura

    Simply so cute

    Customer service

  • Gabriel

    Chief ZEN stay-at-home cat

  • Charly Chi

    Barn supervisor

  • Sahara

    Prodigy Superstar Princess

    Master of hugs

  • Livino De gredos

    ZEN Mapmaker

    Master of Mischief

  • Harmony

    The Mother / Boss

    Master of Everyone