Frequently asked questions

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I'm based in Ajman, UAE.

Yes, I teach handbuilding ceramic classes and workshops at Clay Corner Studio.

I’ve been playing with all sorts of clay (air-drying, polymer, earthenware) since I was a child. I learned how to work with it professionally in college, and decided to pick up the practice again about 2-3 years ago. I had to re-teach myself all the basics and do endless tests with clay consistency, form, texture, firings, etc. I’m still learning something new everyday!

I only work with hand-rolled slabs and shape them with plaster molds that I make myself.

I work between my private studio at home and Clay Corner Studio.

Given the nature of my work, which relies on handpicked natural plants and flowers found in the Emirati desert after the occasional rainfall during winter,  my resources are limited and seasonal. When I do have anything to sell, it will be available on my website and any shop updates will be announced ahead of time. However, I cannot take custom pre-orders.

I use earthenware and stoneware clays to make my ceramics. I then glaze them with 100% lead-free and food-safe glazes. The white molds I sometimes use (and make myself) are made from different kinds of plaster. Most of the plants and wildflowers I used to imprint on my clay have either been handpicked from the desert of homegrown in my mother's garden.

My work is seasonal and experimental, so I don't exactly put a deadline on it. I normally do shop updates once every 4-6 months.

Not necessarily. I do not produce solely for the purpose of selling. Everything that ends up in my online store was the result of experimentation or research rather than produced commercially. However, I might have some of the best selling/most requested pieces again.

Since I do not produce my work commercially, unfortunately I cannot accept orders in that sense. If you have a different project or collaboration in mind, please feel free to email me at hessaalajmani@gmail.com. Otherwise, feel free to contact Clay Corner Studio to request a ceramicware commission.

Unfortunately no, but feel free to request that from Clay Corner Studio!

Yes!

For simple Instagram reposts, yes go ahead! Make sure not to crop or edit my photos and please tag me. For blog/magazine features, let me know beforehand so that I can provide you with further details of my work. Please share the link with me once it’s up :)

Nowhere specific. I usually just order them from online ceramic supply stores.

I ordered it through Art Central, who did a great job of shipping and installing it for me as well. No problems so far.

Check out Clay Corner Studio or find an art center near you that offers pottery classes and start there. Don’t rush to buy your own materials at first, especially not a kiln, until you’ve been doing it for a while and know for sure that this is what you want to practice on a daily basis. Many professional artists actually work out of these centers, which can offer good deals for long-term members. Don’t skip the basics and don’t get frustrated if it doesn’t work out perfectly from the beginning. That’s the charm of working with clay.

Since I work with both earthenware and stoneware, I fire at cone 05 and cone 5-6 respectively.

If it’s greenware (unfired), then it can be recycled and reused. If it’s been bisque-fired, then I could use the broken pieces as test tiles for my glazes. If it’s been glaze-fired then I can practice my kintsugi skills on it! Either way, broken pieces give me the perfect opportunity to assess my work such as the thickness of clay, the occurrence of trapped air bubbles, or any weak points left behind by flower imprints.

Please check my portfolio page.

Leave it on my contact page!