At UDUMBARA Helsinki Pottery, sustainability isn’t just something we talk about—it’s something we live daily. As a small artisan studio in the heart of eastern Helsinki, we believe in making thoughtful choices that positively impact the environment and our local community. My journey in promoting sustainable and ethical practices has been one of learning, growth, and connection.
Local Materials, Global Impact
Since 2005, every pottery I have created has been made from 100% local Finnish clay, specifically Kultela clay from Southwestern Finland. This choice goes beyond using a beautiful, natural material. It’s about reducing the environmental footprint of sourcing and processing materials globally. By keeping things local, I cut out the need for long-distance shipping and complex processing, making my pottery as eco-friendly and ethical as possible.
More than that, I love my connection to Finnish Earth. Each piece carries a little of Finland, making every creation truly unique.
No-Waste Pottery
Pottery is a craft where things don’t always go as planned! At UDUMBARA, nothing goes to waste. Instead of discarding broken or unfinished pieces, they are returned to Kultela, where they’re crushed, and I reuse them in the clay for lamps and flowerpots. This way, each piece can become part of something again.
Sometimes, students may not pick up their beautiful creations after workshops. Rather than letting these pieces go unused, I offer them to customers in exchange for donations to UNICEF relief funds. It’s a small but meaningful way to ensure everything we create serves a purpose, and it’s just one of the ways we work to reduce our environmental impact.
Energy-Efficient Practices
Pottery can be an energy-intensive craft, wildly when firing the kiln. But we’ve taken steps to minimize that, too. At UDUMBARA, we use Fortum’s solar energy to power the studio and fire the kiln. By choosing renewable energy sources, we significantly reduce the high carbon footprint of making ceramics.
Even the type of clay we use helps conserve energy. Kultela clay is an earthenware that only needs to be fired at 1000°C, unlike the higher temperatures (1240–1300°C) required for stoneware. These small changes make a big difference when it comes to sustainability.
Inspiring Ethical Choices
One of my greatest passions is inspiring people to think deeply about the materials they use and how those choices affect the environment. In my workshops, I encourage participants to learn more, produce less, and focus on the quality of their work rather than the quantity. Pottery is therapeutic but becomes even more powerful when we engage with it mindfully and ethically.
If you truly want to experience the therapeutic value of working with clay, making choices that are kind to the planet is essential. Wild, natural clay feels grounding, intense, and authentic compared to heavily processed, industrial materials. When we slow down, find our way to our inner silence, and engage with local natural material, we see a sense of peace and creativity far beyond crafting ceramics.
That’s why I offer Mindful Pottery Wheel retreats and slow design workshops where we meditate, focus, and learn how to create thoughtfully. These workshops allow us to embrace our originality and take the time to connect with local materials rather than rushing to use produced materials with unknown origins. Pinterest can be great for inspiration, but our unique style and joy come when we forge our inner path.
Sustainable Travel & Experiences at UDUMBARA Pottery
Helsinki is an incredible city for sustainable travel, and I love being part of this movement. My studio is easily accessible by public transport, and I always encourage visitors to hop on a tram or bus to get there. I love traveling by tram—it’s a small, fun way to reduce your environmental impact while exploring everything the city offers.
For those seeking a deeper connection to Finnish contemporary culture, my workshops offer a hands-on experience with local materials. There’s something special about shaping clay straight from the Finnish Earth—an experience that grounds you in both the craft and the land itself.
At UDUMBARA Helsinki Pottery, sustainability isn’t just about my choices as an artisan and designer—it’s about inspiring others to make ethical, thoughtful decisions in their creative journeys. Whether you’re visiting the studio by appointment or participating in a workshop,( you can book the workshop here). I hope you’ll leave with a deeper appreciation for the Earth, the materials we work with, and the beauty of forging your own path.
Welcome!
