From garden house to ceramic studio

How I Built My Studio (and What I Learned Along the Way)

From empty space to a living workplace

In 2021, I moved to Andijk. It was love at first sight: an old house with character, a garden full of flowers, and a view that never gets old. From my garden, I look out over the meadows, with the farms in the distance and the dike beyond which lies the IJsselmeer. That peace, that sense of space—it immediately felt like coming home.

And as if that wasn't enough, there was also a garden shed in that same garden. To many, it's just a shed. But I immediately saw what it should become: my studio.

From dream to plan, from plan to planning

During my ceramics studies – both at technical school and art school – I always dreamed of having my own place to work. A studio where I could get dirty, experiment, and where the clay could simply be left on the table until the next day.

When I settled in Andijk, I knew: this was the moment. The garden shed wouldn't just be a workspace, but a place where I could lose myself in clay, kilns, glazes, and ideas.

Practical choices: from insulation to kilns

Luckily, I had help from Micah. Together we devised a plan to fully insulate the gardenhouse. He not only built my studio, but also a separate space for the kilns, a workshop, and even a barn for my clay supplies and chemicals. Everything was given a logical place.

What I've learned? Light and space are invaluable. I opted for good lighting, sufficient work tables, and, of course, my throwing wheels. All these choices may seem practical, but they determine how much enjoyment you get from your workspace every day.

The challenges along the way

Not everything went smoothly. It was a matter of finding the right layout – how do you ensure efficient work without clutter? The storage of clay and glazes also took up more space than I'd anticipated.

But perhaps the biggest challenge was something you don't buy in hardware stores: the patience to build it step by step.

What I would do differently now

If I were to do it again, I would think about the future even sooner. When I built my studio, I was primarily thinking about my own work. But since then, the studio has been converted into a classroom: there are now five potters' wheels and a large table for collaborative work, decorating, and glazing.

Had I known that beforehand, I would have made some choices differently. More outlets, an even larger oven—that sort of thing. But hey, you only learn that along the way.

From studio to meeting place

What began as my personal workshop has now become a place where others discover the magic of clay. During my training, I used the studio daily to create my own work—some pieces have even found new owners.

Together with my best friend Julie, we transformed it from a regular workspace into a colorful space that's a joy to behold. This undoubtedly contributes to the greater enjoyment of working and creating there. The space has been emptied, redecorated, and filled with new energy. Not just from me, but also from the people who learn here, laugh, and sometimes even swear a little when their pots collapse.

What my studio means to me

Moving to Andijk has given me more than just a house with a garden house. I've made friends here and built a warm network – even through something as simple as playing sports and walking my dog.

My studio is therefore more than just a workspace. It's a symbol of what Andijk has given me: peace, inspiration, and a sense of belonging. With my classes, I hope to give something of that back to the village that has welcomed me so warmly.

💡 Learning moments that I take with me:

• Start small, but think ahead.

• Invest in light, space and a logical layout.

• Let the studio grow with you – your work changes, so does your workplace.

• And perhaps most importantly: a studio is not just a building, it is a feeling.