{"id":7844,"date":"2025-10-16T12:15:22","date_gmt":"2025-10-16T16:15:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/local-market.co\/interview-aurelie-artisan-potter-in-the-landes-la-poterie-daurelie\/"},"modified":"2025-10-18T09:05:19","modified_gmt":"2025-10-18T13:05:19","slug":"interview-aurelie-artisan-potter-in-the-landes-la-poterie-daurelie","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/local-market.co\/en\/interview-aurelie-artisan-potter-in-the-landes-la-poterie-daurelie\/","title":{"rendered":"Interview \u2013 Aur\u00e9lie, Artisan Potter in Habas (Landes) \u00b7 La Poterie d\u2019Aur\u00e9lie"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

About You and Your Journey<\/h2>\n\n
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Can you tell us how La Poterie d\u2019Aur\u00e9lie was born?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

My work is deeply personal<\/strong>\u2014it’s a part of who I am<\/strong>. So it felt completely natural to give it my own name. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

La Poterie d\u2019Aur\u00e9lie was born in 2021, after completing a CAP diploma that allowed me to start my business. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, my workshop is based in Habas, in the Landes region of France.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What inspired you to start working with clay and turn it into a profession?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For several years, I had been searching for a career change after my first job as a waitress. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clay came up as one of the options. The day I took my first throwing class, I felt the sensation of clay in my hands<\/g>\u2026 and I immediately fell in love with the craft<\/g>. I knew right away that it would become my profession. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did you receive formal training, or are you self-taught?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I began with six months of leisure courses<\/strong> to explore whether I really wanted to pursue this path. Then, I enrolled in a professional CAP program in clay throwing in Tours<\/strong>, at the Atelier des Arts C\u00e9ramiques school<\/a>. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

Your Artistic World<\/h2>\n\n
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How would you describe your style or artistic signature as a ceramicist?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve specialized in stoneware<\/strong> and finesse<\/strong>: I throw stoneware as thinly as porcelain, with the goal of achieving lightness and delicacy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I also create my own color palette, often in soft and pastel tones<\/strong>. Many of my pieces are inspired by nature<\/strong> and may evoke landscapes<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your main sources of inspiration (nature, travel, culture\u2026)?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Nature and landscapes are my main inspirations. I also place great value on the uniqueness of each piec<\/strong>e\u2014I never recreate the exact same item twice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you work with any particular techniques (throwing, glazing, firing, raku, etc.)?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I mainly use throwing<\/strong>, plaster mold pressing<\/strong>, and slab building<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For firing, I work with electric kilns<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Local Craftsmanship and Commitment<\/h2>\n\n

What does it mean to you to be a local artisan today?<\/h3>\n\n

For me, it’s above all about being present at local markets<\/strong> and connecting directly with people<\/strong> from nearby. This loyal and returning clientele<\/strong> is a real joy. <\/p>\n\n

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Being an artisan means going back to basics<\/strong>Rediscovering the true value of things and restoring the meaning of hard work<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n

Are you committed to an eco-friendly or responsible approach in your practice (materials, energy, packaging, etc.)?<\/h3>\n\n

Yes, I try to reduce my environmental impact<\/strong> as much as possible. For shipping my creations, I use recycled and eco-friendly packaging<\/strong> whenever I can, as part of a sustainable<\/strong> and responsible approach<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n

Do you collaborate with other local artisans or producers?<\/h3>\n\n

Yes, I have several collaborations with other artisans. I work with Justine, for whom I create refillable candle jars for her company, Douce Lueur. I also collaborate with Ma\u00ebva<\/strong><\/a>, who makes donkey milk soaps\u2014I made soap dishes for her so she could offer complete gift sets. <\/p>\n\n

I also take part in several small local collaborations from time to time.<\/p>\n\n

Your Creations<\/h2>\n\n
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What types of items do you offer today? Tableware, decoration, custom pieces? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

My main focus is tableware<\/strong>\u2014plates<\/strong>, cups<\/strong>, bowls<\/strong>, etc.\u2014but I also have a collection of decorative items like vases and boxes, as well as a small range of porcelain jewelry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since I sell at markets, with a strong emphasis on local interaction, I also create many custom pieces based<\/strong> on client requests. We discuss the feasibility of each project together, which also allows me to explore new ideas and take on creative challenges. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you have a signature piece or a creation you\u2019re particularly proud of?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s hard for me to choose a specific piece, because I love them all and put the same care into each one. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If I had to pick, I\u2019d say my \u201cHerbiers\u201d<\/strong><\/strong> collection<\/strong>, where I imprint various leaf textures into the clay. I find a lot of beauty in this work because it reflects the richness and delicacy of nature. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

Can people order online, or only in person at your workshop or markets?<\/h3>\n\n

It is possible to order directly online through my website<\/a><\/strong>, with shipping available in France and Europe. You can also purchase my creations in person, either at the workshop<\/strong> or at local markets<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n

Do you accept custom orders or commissions for personalized creations?<\/h3>\n\n

Yes, I can create custom pieces. I discuss the project with the client to see what\u2019s feasible, and it\u2019s something I really enjoy doing. <\/p>\n\n

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Daily Life as a Potter<\/h2>\n\n

What does a typical day in your workshop look like?<\/h3>\n\n

There are two typical types of days for me. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

The first is when I can spend the entire day at the workshop\u2014those are my favorite. I can be fully productive and focused in my creative bubble. I usually start around 8\u20139 a.m. and work until about 7 p.m.<\/p>\n\n

The second type of day<\/strong> is when I split my time between the market and the workshop. I spend the morning at the market, from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m., in direct contact with customers<\/strong>, watching my pieces leave to join new homes.In the afternoon, I take a short break and then return to the workshop to work until 7 p.m., sometimes 8 p.m., depending on the tasks to be completed. <\/p>\n\n

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What are the main challenges you face today in making a living from your craft in France (profitability, visibility, pace\u2026)?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

My biggest challenge is producing enough, because pottery is a profession that takes time and patience: it takes about two to three weeks to complete a piece, depending on drying and firing times. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The second challenge is finding the right places to sell<\/strong>\u2014this isn\u2019t always easy, and sometimes sales don\u2019t go as planned, which can be discouraging, even if I always try to stay positive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another challenge is setting fair prices for each piece, which is never a simple task. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, one major challenge is not losing yourself in your work<\/strong>: pottery takes up a lot of time, energy, and mental space. It\u2019s essential to find time for yourself<\/strong>, because making a living from your craft often requires an enormous personal investment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And on the flip side, what brings you the most satisfaction in your daily life as a craftswoman?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, opening the kiln<\/strong>: it\u2019s always such a joy to discover a finished piece<\/strong>, see its texture, and notice all the little surprises\u2014because every piece is unique<\/strong>. My other big joy is seeing someone fall in love with one of my creations, especially when I\u2019m there to witness that moment. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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A post shared by Aurelie Berjot (@lapoteriedaurelie)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n