Meet the Maker: Hastshilp
Meet this week's maker, Bornela from Hastshilp! Bornela is a potter turned business woman, who started off doing pottery as a hobby in 2014, and gained the confidence by 2018 to turn it into her profession.
Hastshilp—which means handmade—continues to grow year after year, and the love and appreciation she receives for each creation encourages her to stay motivated.
Carry on reading to learn more about Hastshilp!
Hastshilp—which means handmade—continues to grow year after year, and the love and appreciation she receives for each creation encourages her to stay motivated.
Carry on reading to learn more about Hastshilp!
What kind of products do you sell?
I sell ceramic pots (majority mugs), as well as bowls, berry bowls, yarn bowls and platters. Everything I make is with clay.
How did you get started?
I always wanted to learn pottery. My fascination with pottery started as a kid when I saw a local potter making diyas (tea light candles) on a hump of clay back home in India. Luckily, I found pottery after arriving in Canada, and I abandoned everything to follow my passion. I have been fortunate to learn from some great teachers and excellent potters along the way, though I made some terrible pots and mistakes till it all began to take some sensible shape.
Why are you a maker?
Initially pottery started only as hobby. The help of my family and friend’s encouragement and kind words helped to push me in this direction. I never thought that I could do this.
What inspires you?
My work is influenced by nature. In nature, nothing is perfect and everything is perfect. I love the movement of glazes and that's why I always layer them to get drippy effects to mark the work in a more natural aesthetic. I love flowers and birds, and you will find them a lot on my pots. I make functional pottery not only to produce objects that will enable someone to perform various task, but I put thought, time and care into making these useful objects with the hope that the user will somehow connect with them beyond their intended purpose. At least, that is what I am striving for!
What is your favourite product that you sell?
Mugs, mugs, all the way mugs! In the beginning of my pottery career my aim was to make a perfect mug, as I enjoy making them. I typically sell mug sizes between 12 and 24 oz. Holding a perfect mug filled with hot chocolate or warm tea is one of the best feelings. I read somewhere that buying a handmade mug is investing in people, not just pottery.
What is your favourite product that another maker sells?
I love everything Julia from Foreversonflowers&More makes. Her home decor pieces are adorable, and I love how perfectly she curates each of her pieces. Her tiered trays are my favourite.
What is your most popular product?
Mugs for sure. They are constantly in demand.
What's one fun fact that someone might not know about you?
I had the craziest belief up until college that if I eat eggs before writing exams I would fail. Nobody could utter the word egg in my home when I would be preparing for my final examinations during my school, high school and university years.
Where can people find you on social media?