ehind the scenes...

My journey with ceramics began four years ago, purely as a hobby.

​Together with my husband, we started taking classes from a ceramic artist named Anca. Those early lessons sparked a deep love for clay. For a while, we practiced at home, and later, with a close friend, I rented a small workstation in a local ceramic studio. That adventure eventually led to the opening of Atelier Blue, a studio I now run on my own.

 

Before becoming a ceramic artist, I worked as an environmental engineer for 20 years. Leaving that path to follow my passion was one of the most fulfilling decisions of my life.

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​Today, ​I create both functional and decorative ceramics, blending traditional influences with a personal, modern aesthetic.

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I’m particularly drawn to Japanese-style ceramics for their simplicity and quiet strength. I also enjoy interpreting symbols from Turkish culture — like the pomegranate or nazar — with a contemporary touch. Most of my functional pieces, like plates and coffee cups, are made on the wheel, while I build larger decorative pieces by hand. In the coming season, I plan to focus more on bold, sculptural works.

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For the past two years, my studio in Bucharest has been a space of creativity, connection, and joy. Hosting workshops and courses has allowed me to share the magic of clay with others, and their enthusiasm has continuously inspired me. Now, as I prepare to relocate my studio to Luxembourg, I look forward to creating more, building my own artistic identity, and developing Atelier Blue as a recognizable brand.

 

What matters most to me is creating high-quality, handmade ceramics that bring warmth and meaning into people’s everyday lives. I want my work to be instantly recognizable — when someone sees a piece, they should say: “That must be an Atelier Blue.”

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Hatice Altinoklar