My name is Leonor San Sebastian, and I’m the artist behind Ceramics by Leo. I’m originally from the Basque Country, in the North of Spain, and that’s exactly where my love affair with clay started.

I was a teenager when I decided to take some pottery classes. From the moment I walked in that chaotic, earthy room full of creativity and clay scraps, I knew I was where I was meant to be. To this day, I still get butterflies of excitement when I walk into my studio. It’s my happy place. The organized mess, the splashes on the walls, the bags of clay waiting to be crafted, the crafting tools. All the designs that are waiting to be made, to take shape, to have color, to be loved by people that will buy them and take them into their homes, where they will be part of their everyday life.

I’m not sure what part of this process excites me the most. I like working through all of the steps involved in making something; the design, choosing the clay, mixing the minerals and metallic oxides to make the glaze, giving shape to the clay, and opening the kiln to see the finished product. When I make something, generally it’s after a long process of developing the design, bearing in mind you, the user, who will handle it many times, and make it part of your home and your life. That is something I take as an honor and as a big responsibility. That’s why I put a great deal of care, dedication and love into everything I make. Objects made with love, care and good materials take those qualities with them wherever they go afterwards. 

If you are reading this, I hope it is because you appreciate the warmth and beauty that handmade things have. And by doing it you are supporting me and all the other artists and artisans that, like me, are trying to make a living from their passion, and I thank you for that.