Tell us about your journey and how you arrived here.

We both come from a background in film production, working as an art director and production designer – and we continue to take on film projects. Working in film production can be creative, but you have so many other people involved making decisions about every detail of your work.  Ceramics began for both of us as a hobby – something we could do together that was purely creative without having to consider other people’s input or opinions.  The problem with a ceramics hobby is you end up with a lot of pottery! You can only give so much of it away to friends and family. We began selling at local craft fairs really as a way to clear out our growing body of work.  A few friends with retail stores began carrying our pieces and as we sold more we realized we had inadvertently started a business.  Our first big break came when Le Bon Marche in Paris contacted us about carrying our line for a pop-up exhibit featuring Los Angeles artisans. They ordered a few hundred pieces and that really jump started our business.  Soon after,  Amber found us and also placed what was a very large order for us at that time.  Being in Amber Shoppe was very influential for our business –  we began receiving orders from shops all over the country after that.

— Adi Mizrahi and Ron Hellmann, MH Ceramics

What inspires you daily?

Our 5 year old daughter Vivienne. She approaches everything she does with excitement and joy. She reminds us to be more playful with our work.

— Adi Mizrahi and Ron Hellmann, MH Ceramics

What were some of the biggest challenges you faced along your creative journey, and how did you overcome them?

When I first started in ceramics I tended to be a bit of a perfectionist – fussing and laboring over a piece trying to get it just right. But I realized that the work of other potters that I was most drawn to were pieces that were much “freer” and “looser” and even imperfect. I think learning to let myself be more forgiving of mistakes and imperfections has made my work better and more interesting.

— Ron Hellmann, MH Ceramics

What does your process look like when creating new pieces?

We tend to develop ideas independently and work individually when creating. The collaboration comes when we discuss how to integrate into our line. Is it sellable in its current form? What would improve it? Is it profitable to produce? Is there a need for it?

— Adi Mizrahi and Ron Hellmann, MH Ceramics

The best piece of advice someone has given you as an artist and why?

“Make another.” So many things can go wrong in the process of ceramics… from the throwing of the piece, to glazing, drying, and firing, cracks can form, glazes drip, pieces warp. You can become obsessive over trying to fix something you spent so much time on, but ceramics is a very unforgiving medium. It’s best to let it go and start fresh. So yes, make another!

— Ron Hellmann, MH Ceramics

Favorite place to visit to spark inspiration?

Inspiration can be found anywhere if your mind is in a creative place, but after our most recent trip to Rome I was really excited to get back into the studio and make some pots!

— Ron Hellmann, MH Ceramics

Color or neutrals?

Both have their place! We sell mostly neutrals but our personal space is actually pretty colorful.

— Adi Mizrahi, MH Ceramics

One product that is always in your bag? 

 

Hand cream! Clay is very drying on your hands. I love L’Occitane’s shea butter hand cream.

— Ron Hellmann, MH Ceramics

Favorite space in your home?

Our bed!

— Ron Hellmann, MH Ceramics

Our bathtub!

— Adi Mizrahi, MH Ceramics

It’s hard to choose one – but your current favorite piece from your line?