As with most potters, my fascination with ceramics started out with collecting stuff. For me it was bowls with a colored inside and a funky dark outside. Turned out I collected a lot of ADCO, a dutch producer of earthenware and from there I started collecting work from their individual makers. So Pieter Groeneveld, Zaalberg, Mobach.. all dutch artisinal potters. I felt a natural aversion to those bright colored, german lava vases which turned out to be a quality thing too. I was only logical that I would end up making my own stoneware ceramics and yes, my very own glazes.
So in 2015 I opened up my shop. First it wasn't more than a few boxes full of vases but over more than 10 years it grew out to a serious business. In 2020 I moved into my current workplace in Amsterdam and although the place is packed to the ceiling, it is now a natural balance of clay coming in and ceramics going out. There are over 40 buckets of my own glazes and I love the chemistry of it. I owe that to my high school chemistry teacher who wrote her own book. Very inspiring.
When I just started I marked everything with my family's crest, taken from my father's ring. But soon enough I found the name Made in Mokum to be a good brand-name and since everything has the logo. It is only since a few years that I also mark all the unique pieces with my signature, just my first name. It is a good way to show my pride and dedication to every unique piece I produce.
Although I mostly work alone, I owe a lot of thanks to everyone who helped me out to make my studio into a real business and place of creativity and developement. I hope to be learning new things about ceramics my whole lifetime.
Camille Verbunt, potter and founder @ Made in Mokum
Over the years I have made many collections that can be found in the shop, but also other collections of commissions, sculptures, ...
I mix up all of my own glazes here at the studio. It's a bit of inorganic chemistry: iron, titanium, copper, cobalt and lots of other metals go into the mix. But I try to avoid lead (really poisonous, the romans already knew) and some other nasty chemicals.
It's never easy to let go of a beautiful thing, especially when you've seen it grow and come to life. Luckily I get pictures from the new owners. And...
I am an artisan potter based in Amsterdam. I create ceramic pieces I love and share them with you. I focus on making vases, bowls, and pots. If you’d like something custom-made, just ask—I can craft one especially for you or your loved ones (dead or alive). My work is sometimes dark and quirky, even wonky if that’s your style. I’m not overly concerned with traditional perfection.
I strive to create useful and beautiful pieces. Even without flowers, brushes, or branches, my vases can stand alone as beautiful objects. They are tough—but please, don’t throw them at people. All of my shapes and glazes are homebrewed, made right here in what I call Mokum.
Really, what more do you need to know? Drop me a note to share your thoughts, ask a question, place an order, or anything else you might need.
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