SCANNOW 城市編輯室-心度探索（Deep Dive）- Water Ceramics

店主的話

「上善若陶」的創立，源於Allen在大學畢業後對泥土療癒力量的深刻體會。2020年，她從美術系學成歸來，一邊擔任陶藝導師，一邊在網上分享陶藝帶給生活的點滴啟發。她深深感受到泥土的溫度與變化所帶來的寧靜與創造樂趣，渴望將這份力量傳遞給更多人。於是，她決定創辦「上善若陶」，開設陶藝體驗和恆常課程，讓更多人感受泥的奧妙與手作的美好。

品牌名稱「上善若陶」脫胎於《道德經》中的「上善若水」——最高境界的善，如水般滋養萬物而不爭。對她而言，泥土與水一樣，都是溫柔而有力量的存在：它們看似柔軟低調，卻能承載情感、塑造成器，默默陪伴日常生活。她希望這間工作室，能像水一樣，提供一個讓人可以「慢下來、被溫柔包住」的空間，在雙手接觸泥土的過程中，學會與自己好好相處，慢慢被治癒。

在創業至今，Allen坦言從未有過真正想「放棄」的念頭。或許是隨遇而安的性格使然，面對難題時，心中總會浮現「船到橋頭自然直」的俗語。她認為與其預先擔憂未知，不如一步步應對，從中學習和調整。最支持她堅持下去的動力，來自於學生的回饋。每當學生在課堂後說「好治癒」、「好想再來玩泥」時，她便被提醒，這間小小的工作室，確實正在溫暖地陪伴著別人的生活。這種被需要與被信任的感覺，就是她一直做下去的原因。

品牌故事

治癒與自然：在器皿中保留個性

「上善若陶」的核心精神濃縮為「治癒」與「自然」。在慢慢捏泥、拉坯、上釉的過程中，專注於當下，讓日常工作的繃緊心情得以釋懷，是為「治癒」。而作品多以簡約、貼近日常使用的器皿為主，特別是雲石紋的應用，讓每件作品都保留了屬於自己的獨特個性，是為「自然」。

開窯的喜悅：創造者的熱情瞬間

在日常營運中，最讓Allen感到「這就是我想做的事」的瞬間，是每次「開窯」時，看到一件件美美的作品成功燒製出來。此外，每次回到自己一手一腳打造的工作室，那份對夢想的確認感，也讓她充滿熱情。店主對品質的堅持體現在每一個細節：不夠理想的，她絕不會進行釉燒，所有上架之作，都是她滿意的獨一無二的作品。

手作的定位：為慢下來的人而存在

對於「本地創作」和「手作」在香港的位置，Allen認為它們處於一個「正常位置」——不需要被特別歌頌，也不需要被特別看低。她相信，手作是讓願意慢下來的人，親手選擇和一件有溫度的作品一起生活。

雲石紋的堅持：看不見的細膩純淨

Allen對工藝細節有著一份堅持：在製作雲石紋作品時，她總會仔細把泥漿處理乾淨。雖然客人未必會特別留意，但這確保了紋理的純淨與細膩，讓作品呈現最自然的層次美感。

慢靈魂的啟發：在學習中重拾熱情

當創作靈感枯竭時，Allen不會強迫自己，而是選擇暫時放下陶藝，轉而去看書或外出學習，例如最近便在學習日語、手語和幼兒相關課程。她相信讓心靈得到滋養，能從中重拾創作的熱情。如果品牌是一首歌，她會選盧廣仲的《慢靈魂》，它描寫了在匆忙人生中渴望放慢、自由飛翔的心境，呼應了陶藝時手指在泥上緩緩遊走，讓人從忙碌中抽離的靜謐氣質。品牌濃縮成的一句話是「慢下來，活在當下」，代表色則是純淨的白色。

活在當下：雙手觸碰泥土的靜謐片刻

「上善若陶」希望能傳遞的，正是「雙手觸碰泥土的那份寧靜與專注」。在快節奏的城市生活中，當下就是手指慢慢捏塑、感受泥土溫度的片刻。這個緩慢的治癒過程，讓心靈暫停雜念，像水一樣溫柔滋養，重新連結自己內心的平靜，陪伴大家活出當下的美好。

A Message from the Founder

The inception of "Water Ceramics" originated from the Allen's profound experience with the therapeutic power of clay shortly after graduating from university. In 2020, after completing her Fine Arts degree and returning to Hong Kong, she began working as a ceramics instructor while sharing the inspiration that pottery brought to her life online. She deeply felt the healing energy provided by the temperature and transformation of clay, and she yearned to allow more people to experience this peace and the joy of creation through their own hands.

Consequently, Allen decided to establish "Water Ceramics" ,offering hands-on ceramics workshops and regular courses, enabling more individuals to understand the wonder of clay and the beauty of handcraft.

The brand name "Water Ceramics" is inspired by the phrase Shang Shan Ruo Shui ("The highest good is like water") from the Tao Te Ching—the ultimate form of goodness, which nourishes all things without contention. To the founder, clay, like water, is a gentle yet powerful existence: it appears soft and unassuming, yet it can hold emotions, be shaped into vessels, and quietly accompany daily life.

She hopes the studio itself can be like water, offering a space where people can slow down and feel gently embraced, allowing the process of touching clay to slowly heal them and teach them how to coexist peacefully with themselves.

Since starting the business, Allen admits she has never genuinely considered giving up. Perhaps due to her "go with the flow" personality, when challenges arise, the common saying, "The boat will straight itself when it reaches the bridge," often comes to mind. She believes that rather than worrying about all unknowns in advance, it is better to tackle them step by step, responding and learning as she goes.

Her primary motivation to persist comes from the feedback of her students. Whenever students tell her after a class, "It was so therapeutic," or "I really want to come back and play with clay," it reminds her that this small studio genuinely accompanies others' lives. This feeling of being needed and trusted is the reason she continues to move forward. If she could say one thing to her ten-year-younger self, she would say: "Keep going, everything happens for a reason."

Brand Story

Healing and Nature: Preserving Uniqueness in Each Vessel

The core spirit of "Water Ceramics" is encapsulated in "Healing" and "Nature." Healing is achieved by focusing on the present moment during the slow processes of kneading, wheel throwing, and glazing, which releases the tension built up from daily work. Nature is reflected in the works themselves, which are predominantly simple, everyday vessels. In particular, the use of marble patterns ensures that every piece retains its unique character.

The Joy of the Kiln Opening: A Creator's Moment of Passion

In her daily operations, the moment Allen most profoundly feels, "This is what I want to do," is during every "kiln opening," when she sees beautiful pieces successfully fired. Furthermore, returning to the studio she built with her own hands always reaffirms her dream and fills her with passion. Her dedication to quality is evident in every detail: any piece that is less than ideal is never glazed, ensuring that every item offered for sale is a unique work that meets her high standards.

The Positioning of Handcrafts: Existing for Those Who Choose to Slow Down

Regarding the place of "local creations" and "handcrafts" in this city, the founder believes they occupy a "normal position"—they do not need to be especially lauded or disparaged. She believes that handcrafts are for those who are willing to slow down, allowing them to personally select a piece of work with temperature (warmth) to live alongside.

The Persistence of Marble Pattern: Unseen Purity and Subtlety

Allen maintains a meticulous dedication to one small detail that customers may not notice: when creating marble-patterned works, she always carefully cleans the clay slip. This ensures the purity and delicacy of the texture, allowing the work to present the most natural layered beauty.

Inspiration from a Slow Soul: Recharging Through Learning

When creative inspiration runs dry, Allen chooses not to force herself. Instead, she temporarily sets aside pottery to read or pursue new learning, recently taking up Japanese, sign language, and courses related to early childhood education. She believes that nourishing the soul is the way to rekindle creative passion. If the brand were a song, she would choose Slow Soul by Crowd Lu, which describes the longing to slow down and fly freely in a hurried life, echoing the quiet, steady movement of fingers on clay. The brand is summarized by the phrase, "Slow down and live in the present," and its representative color is pure white.

Living in the Present: The Quiet Moment of Touching Clay

What "Water Ceramics" hopes to convey most deeply is "the peace and focus of touching clay with your hands." In the fast-paced city, the present moment is the pause where fingers slowly mold and feel the temperature of the clay. This slow healing process, gentle and nourishing like water, helps the mind quiet its distractions and reconnect with inner peace, accompanying everyone to live out the beauty of the present.