About

Hi, I’m Olena, a tea-loving tea ceramic artist and pottery collector with over 250K followers on instagram. I am often in the studio, making small batch functional and decorative ceramics that feel alive.

I was born in the Ukraine and arrived in London via many years in Toronto and New York CIty a few months ago. I am a scientist by training who's swapped from the lab bench to the potter’s wheel. I love to experiment with structure and function to create unique, often playful, beautiful pieces. 

These pieces begin as thin slabs of clay, that are then sliced or torn into pasta-like ribbons. The ribbons are embellished using vintage lace and hand stitched embroidery to create an appearance of delicacy underlayed by the resilience of the clay. Each ribbon forms the base for the next interlaced ribbon, working from the bottom up and forming a fully functional vessel. As these ribbons overlap and interact with each other, novel shapes and designs emerge in a natural and unique pattern. Any imperfections are seen as an opportunity - each tear or wrinkle is patched and visible on the surface much like a birthmark. 

My work is about letting these objects look and feel alive and fun to create. They’ve been shaped by a combination of process and imagination with a preparedness to be surprised! 

Please have a look at my portfolio, connect with me on instagram @ohtrendyclay and @mangelka, and get in touch via e-mail olenahassellblog@gmail.com

Olena