A glimpse into daily life and creative process at Studio Noma.
Every piece that leaves our studio carries with it hours of focused attention, years of accumulated skill, and the particular energy of our workspace. Today, we invite you behind the scenes to experience a day in the life of Studio Noma.
Mornings begin early, before the phone rings and emails demand attention. This quiet time is precious for creative work—the mind is fresh, distractions are minimal, and there's a particular quality to morning light that makes working with clay especially pleasurable.
The Rhythm of Making
Ceramic work has a rhythm dictated by the material itself. Clay must be wedged before throwing, thrown pieces must dry to leather-hard before trimming, trimmed pieces must dry completely before firing. This rhythm structures our days and weeks, creating a meditative pace that feels increasingly rare in modern life.
Wedging clay is often dismissed as mere preparation, but we've come to appreciate it as a centering practice. The repetitive motion, the physical engagement, the gradual transformation of stiff clay into workable material—all of this prepares both material and maker for the work ahead.
Collaboration and Solitude
Studio life balances solitary making with collaborative thinking. While the actual forming of pieces requires individual focus, the development of new designs benefits from dialogue. We regularly gather to critique works in progress, share discoveries, and push each other's thinking.
The studio itself has evolved over years to support our work. Natural light floods the main workspace, kilns occupy a dedicated firing room, and a small gallery space allows us to live with pieces before they find their permanent homes.
