About Studio Pema
Meet the Maker
Tomomi is the potter behind Studio Pema in Apex, North Carolina, USA.
I took my first Ceramics class during the last semester in college as one of the electives for my Minor in Art, and learned the basics of hand building and throwing. Since then, I explored different techniques while taking classes at The Clay Studio in Philadelphia and YWCA Toshiko Takaezu Ceramics Studio in Honolulu. I took a long break from playing with clay when I had my two daughters, but when my younger one started school, I was finally back in the studio, this time in North Carolina.
I create functional pottery with practicality in mind, and bring handmade objects into daily life. I love simple design, shape and form. I find inspiration in the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi, the concept of appreciating imperfections, and take pride in making each piece unique with individual variations. You may not find my work perfectly round, symmetrical or straight, but I hope that you find the beauty of imperfection in each piece that makes handmade special.
Behind the name
When I first thought about naming my own business, I didn't want to use my name + pottery and limit myself only to pottery. I have always enjoyed arts and crafts growing up, from drawing to painting, knitting/crocheting, sewing, jewelry making, baking, etc. Whatever I decide to create besides or along with clay, I will always have my happy place called Studio Pema.
"Pema" means lotus in Tibetan and I was always drawn to this name ever since I became interested in Tibetan Buddhism. Each item is stamped with a lotus flower maker’s mark, a symbol of purity of the body, speech and mind.
