The first part of my exchange has gone really well. I feel genuinely excited to go to the studio every day, and I can clearly feel how I continue to grow and improve my craft with each week that passes. Being surrounded by ceramics and having the opportunity to work full-time with clay has been a huge boost for both my technical skills and my overall understanding of the processes behind running a ceramic business.
Through my work with Karolina, I have gained a much deeper insight into product development and refinement. One key learning has been how small adjustments to a product – such as changes in size, thickness, or shape – can significantly affect the final outcome. Not only in terms of functionality and aesthetics, but also in terms of business potential, such as creating products that are easier to reproduce or more profitable. These discussions and observations have been extremely valuable for my own business idea, as they have made me more aware of how important it is to balance creativity with practicality when developing products for sale.
In terms of contributing to Karolina’s business, I have been actively involved in the day-to-day studio work, assisting with the production of her ceramics. I have also helped create content for her social media, particularly focusing on video content for TikTok to help increase her online visibility and reach a broader audience. Being able to contribute both practically and creatively to her business has been a rewarding experience and has allowed me to feel like a real part of her studio’s daily life.
One of the biggest personal reflections during the exchange has been how valuable it is to reflect directly while working with the materials. Instead of trying to plan or analyze everything in advance, I have found that being hands-on allows me to identify what works and what doesn’t much more effectively. Observing the processes in real-time gives me a more intuitive understanding of the craft and has helped me become more confident in my technical decisions and creative ideas.
Regarding potential changes to my business plan, this experience has made me even more aware of the importance of having a clear and focused product line when I start my own ceramics business. I now see how important it is to consider not just the artistic side, but also how the products fit into a wider collection, how easy they are to reproduce, and how they meet customer expectations. These insights will definitely influence how I choose to structure and prioritize my product offerings moving forward.
Overall, the first part of the exchange has been incredibly valuable, and I am very excited for the next weeks to continue building on everything I have learned so far.