Why I chose to make a living from ceramics: a choice of heart and meaning

Choosing to make a living from ceramics didn’t come from a sudden revelation or a flash of genius.

It is the result of a long path, of choices that were sometimes risky, but always sincere.

Today, I want to share why I chose to put my hands in clay to shape far more than objects: a life, a vision, a commitment.

From theory to matter: grounding through gesture

Trained to work in graphic design, I always felt a sense of doubt: human intervention seemed almost invisible. Deep down, I was looking for something concrete—a touch, an object, a tangible result.

Ceramics appeared as the perfect antidote. Here, the hand matters. Every gesture leaves a trace, every piece carries a story and says something. Making a living from ceramics is therefore a statement: valuing gesture, material, and the tangible—rather than cold reproduction or instant communication.

A committed daily life: ethics and sustainability

I chose to make a living from ceramics by making concrete decisions: using 80% French clay, recycling my scraps, limiting energy consumption, and avoiding waste. These choices reflect a desire to align my ecological and social values with my profession.

Each piece made in my Paris studio becomes a small act of commitment—a vote for more responsible production, for quality over quantity, for local and sustainable craftsmanship.

Slowness as a liberating rhythm

Choosing to live from ceramics also means working with time: drying time, firing time, testing time, learning time. It is a way of life that allows me to relearn how to slow down. In a rushed world where everything must happen fast, this is both a luxury and, for me, a necessity.This rhythm anchors me in a conscious approach, respectful of both the material and myself.

A shared life: the studio, students, and clients

Ceramics is also about living to share: with students during classes, with clients at markets, with partners—sometimes artisans, sometimes restaurateurs. Every exchange enriches me. Creating pieces for a restaurant, leading a wheel-throwing class, discussing a custom project… all of this weaves a network of sharing, transmission, and meaning.

Creative freedom

Choosing to make a living from ceramics is choosing independence—of gesture and of creative impulse. It is not always financially comfortable, but it is a commitment. Every piece I design reflects my choices, my values, and my desires. It is a way of living in authenticity and coherence.

Are you also questioning your path and wondering whether you could make a living from ceramics?

If this life speaks to you—if you’re wondering how to create, how to pass on knowledge, how to reconcile creation and commitment—discover my classes, workshops, and collections at:

lucie-eleme.com

Atelier Lucie Eleme – Handmade ceramics, Paris 20th arrondissement, Ménilmontant