The Pottery Career Came To Me Unexpectedly

THUY HOANG

Pottery surprisingly came to me by chance. But then I met my teachers and caught their devotion and love for pottery which aroused my love of pottery. I decided to stop my fashion design career after 12 years to start up another dream called Pottery. Feeling humble happiness with pottery creation. I felt joyful and became myself in this new aspect. My heart is filled with gratitude. It is never too late for me to appreciate the good things that I want to do for myself and for pottery little by little, everyday.

Thuy's Woodfired Collection: In the Earth’s Embrace – PHU LANG ceramics – Love in Every Clay VeinThuy's Woodfired Collection: In the Earth’s Embrace – PHU LANG ceramics – Love in Every Clay Vein

With a passionate devotion for every piece of handcrafted ceramics, Thuy has dedicated her youth, time, and effort to creating exquisite, one-of-a-kind masterpieces. Her style is defined by its simplicity and raw elegance, often embracing minimalistic designs that highlight the natural texture and colour of the clay. Her exceptional craftsmanship consistently produces extraordinary creations that are uniquely captivating.

Thuy has been crafting Woodfired pottery in Phu Lang village, Vietnam, a place with a rich history spanning nearly 800 years. Her passion for handmade ceramics allows her to fully immerse herself in the village’s timeless atmosphere, learning and creating as a true potter.


Thuy and other young Vietnamese are guided by renowned Japanese artisans through the entire process: from preparing the clay, mastering the wheel throwing technique, hand-shaping, moulding, to creating glazes from natural materials. 

The work of firing in the wood kiln, though laborious, is incredibly rewarding. Handmade pottery brings countless emotions as it encapsulates the breath, heartbeat, and creativity of its maker.

Thuy's Passion For Woodfired Ceramics  

I choose to make woodfired pottery because I love the rustic and natural beauty that the wood-firing process brings. Each ceramic piece I create is entirely handcrafted, from shaping to firing in the wood kiln – a traditional method that results in unique colors and glaze patterns that no modern technology can replicate.

I find creative freedom in every piece of pottery, where each clay block is shaped with delicate lines, and each firing is an opportunity for me to discover the unexpected possibilities that fire and clay offer. This is not just a job; it’s a connection between me and the art, between tradition and modernity.

I deeply value this journey and will continue to develop the craft of pottery, step by step, day by day, with all my passion and gratitude.

Thuy's Inspiration

Inspiring the younger generation to preserve the art of traditional wood-fired ceramics is one of Thuy's biggest dreams, Thuy has been dedicating herself to carefully preserving and sharing this timeless beauty with the world.

Pros & Cons of Handcrafted Kiln-Fired Ceramics

Pros:

  • Unique Quality: Products fired in a wood kiln have a distinct beauty that cannot be mistaken, with clear differences compared to industrial firing methods. The wood fire and natural temperature create unique colors, glaze patterns, and crackle effects.
  • High Durability: Wood-fired ceramics are usually very durable, thanks to the firing process that thickens the glaze and increases the hardness of the product.
  • High Craftsmanship: Each product carries the personal mark of the artisan, from shape to small details, creating deep artistic and cultural value.
  • Environmentally Friendly: Using wood as fuel causes less pollution compared to industrial firing methods that use fossil energy.
  • Natural Glaze: The glaze is made from 100% natural materials, eco-friendly and safe for users.

Cons:

  • High Production Cost: The use of a wood kiln and the manual labor required to create the product demands a lot of time and effort, making the cost higher compared to other methods.
  • Cracks and Ash Marks During Firing: Ash from the wood in the kiln is a special factor in traditional ceramics making. The wood ash can leave marks or create unique effects on the product. When the wood burns in the kiln, the ash and small particles rise into the hot air and may fall onto the product, creating ash spots on the surface. These marks can create a natural effect, but they may also be considered a flaw if you want a clean, uniform surface. However, in many cases, this is a characteristic feature that gives traditional ceramics their own "style," bringing natural beauty.
  • Artistic Effects: If you love the natural beauty, we may choose to retain these ash marks as part of the design, creating ceramic products that bear the signature of the wood kiln firing process. However, when all these ash marks are cleaned, it may leave behind natural scratches, which is an unavoidable part of the handcrafted ceramic production process.