Natali Stoiyanna Erkaraman

Stepping into the bustling market with my small but vibrant booth fills me with an exhilarating mix of excitement and anticipation. Every detail meticulously arranged, every craft lovingly created, I am eager to share my passion with the world. Despite its modest size, my booth exudes a charm that captures the attention of passersby, inviting them to explore and discover the treasures within. The energy of the market, the camaraderie with fellow artisans, and the joy of connecting with customers who appreciate handmade creations make this experience truly exhilarating. With each interaction, I feel a sense of pride and fulfillment, knowing that I am sharing a piece of my heart and creativity with the world. This journey is just beginning, and I am excited for all the adventures and opportunities it holds.

My plate mates will be illustrated with ink. I have collected these designs of mine for this well’s session.

I’ve built this well with 📦 fragile packaging fillers recently got from Automatic’s welcoming box.

Pop Home Goods are made of recycled materials. They are all hand crafted and painted. Keep one for yourself and one for your loved ones.

I can’t believe it is already Christmas! It is not yet though it is just November, but everyone is ready to sell on any local market for Christmas 🤶🎅 except me.

I don’t see myself there ready to sell for Christmas. But I 💯 proud of this process of popping out from trash 🗑️

I love the story of jars, and papers coming together and recycling into vases 🏺

Pumpkin harvest

For October I slowed down with pumpkin 🎃 building. I tried a new technique for each pumpkin.

I searched for alternative textures. I really got exited by the after effects of shaving cream with bright colors. It came out as soft candy clouds and when you brush the fluffy dust out of the paper, you got a cotton smooth texture. I don’t believe it is durable enough but I love how candy 🍭 looking they are 👀 With some strong glue it worth to try again on Christmas ornaments.

Quilt candle holders

For November my plan was to setup the table for the holiday season with candle holders and plates 🍽️ 🍎

Among those new textures that I have been trying 🔍 There is one technique that I want to try most. I want to apply textiles on mashed paper like quilts. But I will bring the pieces together like in mosaics.

I’m so exited about this try! I planted which pattern I will use on where. I only need some unwanted fabrics that are also look awesome 🤩

On going 💡

I need to complete my last work. I’m almost there. Just need to focus for an hour or so… It might be my favorite 😍 piece when it is done.

Let’s see where it goes…

Shapes are out to dry. Drying will take another week.

Meanwhile I am thinking on colors. Earthy, terracotta, clay color and black decors.

But I still couldn’t figure out the decor application technique, I have a few on my mind like drawing on a colored paper and stick on top of the clay and color all together. But my test results didn’t come good enough…

In the third week of the workshop, I started to see it coming.

This workshop is like how a ceramic 101 lesson should be. Besides not letting any big carbon footprint 👣 while trying to figure out what you are dealing with, you also achieve a finished product that you can be proud of.

Inspire by ancient pottery let me understand the reasons of measurements and pattern techniques.

Even I do my pottery with mashed paper instead of clay, I see myself working with my many skills of ceramic arts.

I put together 3 full covered pieces. I can give a go ✅ for this week.

Last week will be all about decorating and finishing. I am so excited about the results 🤞

Third week starts with an off school day. But I have done ✅ what had to be done.

The well is full!

I failed on some decoration techniques but still have a full bucket 🪣 of reusable paper wet and ready to use on my models.

I’m especially excited about a face vase 🏺 that I saw on Rhodes Island’s museum in Greece.

This heavyweight, rusty trash of iron is just perfect 🤩 to use as a base model for this design. And because it is so heavy, it can be ideal for outdoor use.

I keep on moving and searching 🌊

I’ve started a workshop in my basement. We are in the second week of the circle ⭕️ So far, it looks like it’s working 👍

• First week was the week of inspiration 🏺 and design.
• Second week is building up the structure of the design by using recycling trash 🗑️
• Next week we will build a well and start to clay the design.
• Last week is the decor and finishing.

HINT: I hide studio tag in the plastic cup so it can be seen from inside the jar.

My goal is produce 1 to 5 pieces every month. Not much but more than enough for a beginner.

Meanwhile I go on with my thrift upcycle projects.

With this one, I go totally spontaneous.

A legend of Burgaz Island in Istanbul, Turkey 🇹🇷

There use to lived a lady who loves her hidden bay. There she can enjoy the sun and the sea, nude and free

Is she a mermaid? A fairy? A muse?

Maybe just a neighbor next door.

Do those rocks dancing.

Or is it the wave calling rocks to roll.

I start to graph for the collection of Hanim Sultan – a startup textile company of a woman collaboration. We produce souvenirs for the Island which’s benefit is shared with women’s foundation.