The Creator of Laro Ceramics On How Pottery Keeps Her Grounded
Erika Austria quit her day job to be a ceramicist, and months later came up with the innovative Clay Play Kits. She never planned to set up her own business though, but she had a drive to share the craft to more people—L'Officiel chats with Erika on how she did it, her creative process, and the day-to-day of a one-woman-team pottery studio.
Two years and counting into the longest lockdown in the world, everyone must have been through the new hobby phase—you have your bikers, home baristas, rollerskaters, TikTokers, and now, you also have your home potters. What started as a way to find grounding for Laro Ceramics creator Erika Austria has grown into a full-blown ceramics studio in a matter of months. Her ceramics' aesthetic of soft shapes and pastel colors gained attention online, especially with Laro's cute visuals on their socials (Erika also happens to be a content creator).
What sets her apart from other pottery studios though is how she shares her craft in an approachable way—and not just for those who want to enjoy the end products, but those who want to try their hand at the craft for the first time, at the comfort of their own homes. Laro Ceramics came up with the innovative Clay Play Kits, a beginner-friendly and child-friendly kit that has everything you need to hand-build your own pottery pieces at home. We've taken her workshop and built our own pieces, and we found that the beauty of pottery as a hobby is that its creation is a drawn-out process that allows you to work and live life in between. The surprise comes when you don't even realize your pieces have already been shipped back—like a gift from you to you.
L'Officiel Philippines chats with Erika on how she started Laro, her creative process, and the day-to-day of a one-woman-team pottery studio.
L'Officiel: Hi, Erika! How are you? What shoot did you just come from?
Erika Austria: I'm feeling good! I was shooting for Dear Klairs. I love their products!
LO: Omg same! I used the face mist as rinsing water when I was on our trip haha! I'll get into my first q—how did Laro begin? You started it a little after you quit your day job.
EA: Yes I did start Laro shortly after that! Creating my own business wasn't something I planned on doing. After I left my 9 to 5 job, I yearned for an activity that was grounding. Anything to get my mind out of my head and into my hands. Pottery did exactly that. The feeling of clay felt foreign to my hands at first but after some time, it became a meditative and playful practice. I started making ceramic objects like mugs and cups. And I've loved it ever since.
LO: I totally agree with that feeling of needing to find grounding. It's cool because literally you're touching earth!
EA: We potters actually call ourselves earth benders! Haha!
LO: Was it your first time to learn pottery or you've learned it elsewhere before?
EA: I learned pottery from Wabi Sabi & Kibo Studio! They're women owned businesses too! Highly recommend them for anyone interested in learning the basics.
LO: The first time I touched clay I thought it felt...ticklish?
EA: Yes! It's a very weird sensation at first. Like touching soft mud from the soil. Now there's no other medium I'd work with but clay.
LO: That's so accurate.
LO: Who is/are your support system(s) as it seems like you're a one woman show? I know you shared that your dad helped you with the costing and all. Are you in a group with other potters and how is it finding that support system?
EA: Laro is still a one woman team. It's been really difficult running everything from all aspects. I make all the pieces which is a lot of work in itself already. In addition to that, I shoot content, manage the website, do my own accounting, pack the orders and much much more. When it does get overwhelming, my family has always been there to lend a hand. I'm so incredibly grateful for them. Especially towards my dad who has been my mentor since the beginning.
LO: No surprise here but your content is amazing and seems to come so naturally to you too.
EA: I appreciate that so much, thank you! I've had a camera in my hand since I was 15. Taking photos is my second love next to ceramics.
LO: It's incredible though how you've been able to handle everything! And I know you've always been super organized and creative—am I wrong to think everything was plotted from the beginning?
EA: In some sense, I've always had an idea on how Laro would look and feel like. But this was the first time I never stuck to a concrete plan.
Clay is a very fickle material. No matter how experienced you are, something can go wrong in the middle of the process. A crack will appear or glaze issues arise after firing. Nothing is ever certain and the craft teaches you to adapt and learn the art of letting go.
EA: The best ideas are sometimes born from the spur of the moment. Laro is quite the essence of that. Most of my shapes and forms were split second decisions that turned out to be great. The best example to this is my blue floral cup which has a raw and unglazed exterior. It wasn't something I planned but now it's my best selling piece.
LO: I see your reels and stories that “it be like that sometimes”! How do you practice or how did you learn detachment?
EA: Early on, most potters are told to detach from their pieces. But you never really accomplish that until you experience it over and over again. I've had many heartbreaks of my own after opening the kiln. A kiln is where ceramic pieces are fired. (Think of your kitchen oven but ten times bigger!)
It's hard to lose works. Especially if you spend days pouring your energy into it. But that's just kind of how life works, right? Nothing goes according to plan. Sometimes you just need to laugh it off and look forward to the next day.
LO: I really admire this and I think this is the value I find when I purchase your pieces. How did you start to create designs you felt were truly very you and very Laro?
EA: I tested a lot forms before launching Laro. And I'm still doing it now, experimenting with shapes and glaze techniques.
Laro Ceramics is any functional object made playful in design. I love anything curvy or ribbed. It sets itself apart from the typical kitchen items. The tile cups and mugs were replicas of beautiful tiled bathrooms. Right now, I'm veering into textural surfaces. My pieces next year will show a lot more of those gritty and matte textural explorations.
LO: Was it hard to build your own kiln, by the way?
EA: My gas kiln was built by an engineer! It took roughly three weeks to get it built from scratch. It took even longer to get comfortable using it. Ceramics are fired up to 1,280 degrees celsius. It's scary to operate such an intimidating machine. But eventually, I learned how to manipulate the flames and turn an ordinary ball of clay into cup. It's all science but still feels like magic to me.
LO: Let's talk about the clay play kit! Obsessed with the whole concept. Pottery might not be new but it felt like it made it a lot less intimidating for first timers/newbies.
EA: The Clay Play Kit has everything you need to do pottery at home. It also comes with an online workshop and free firing of the pieces you create.
This kit was intentionally made for play time in mind. There's no pressure to make something perfect or functional towards the end. We can make a cup, a pendant or a weird little sculpture! All ideas are welcome!
Each online workshop is three hours long and has a maximum of only four students per class. People tend to feel comfortable in small groups and it becomes a more approachable space when someone has questions. The kit is also child-friendly. There are no sharp metal tools or wires that can be scary to leave with kids unattended. It's a clay kit for everyone 🤍
LO: My last question is what’s a day—or if easier, week—in the life of Laro Ceramics?
EA: My work for Laro Ceramics varies day per day. If it's time for production, I need to throw on the pottery wheel or hand build so it gets a little messy. By the time I finish, I'm usually covered in clay from hair to toe, haha! If I'm doing admin work, I spend the whole day managing the website and responding to inquiries.
I juggle a lot of hats into this job because I'm a one woman team. That also means that no single day is the same and I'm able to grow into the different roles of running a small business. It's a lot of trial and error which is necessary for experience. At the end of the day, I know I'm doing what I love most.
