About Grandchose: Christelle, ceramic maker
Welcome to my world!
Behind Grandchose is me, Christelle. If you hold one of my pieces in your hands, you’ll find a bit of my story, my rituals, and my passion for clay.
To get to know us better, here are 10 little secrets about my daily life as a ceramic maker.
1. A creative double life
I juggle two passions: ceramics and social photography. This duality is my balance. The seasonal nature of photography allows me to retreat into the quiet of my workshop once the busy season is over, to fully dedicate myself to working with clay. My photography website: www.christellegilles.com.
2. Learning through experience
I didn’t follow the traditional art school path. I’m a hands-on learner: I learned my craft as an ceramic maker from various potters who opened their doors to me and shared their precious techniques.
3. Why the name “Grandchose”?
It’s a nod to the beauty of simple objects. ‘Grand’ for the precious side of handmade items, and ‘choses’ (things) for the everyday objects that surround us. It’s also a personal signature, as they are my initials: G.C.
4. The slab technique
All my tableware starts as a simple slab of clay. It’s my favorite technique: manipulating this clay slab to give it volume and transform it into a bowl, a mug, or a plate.
5. A repurposed wheel
You’ll see a wheel in my workshop, but I don’t use it to shape my pieces. It’s my ally for ‘trimming’ (refining details), evening out edges, or drawing horizontal stripes with precision.
6. A rhythmic atmosphere
Silence is rare in the workshop! I always create accompanied by music or my favorite podcasts, like LEGEND, which set the pace for my shaping days.
7. In praise of imperfection
My mantra? Imperfection. I avoid industrial smoothness. I love it when you can see my fingerprints, the life of the material, and that unique character that makes a handcrafted object unlike any other.
8. An eco-friendly commitment
Taking care of your orders also means taking care of the planet. I collect and recycle as much packaging as possible from friends, family, and local shops to offer you shipping that’s kinder to the environment.
9. My daily fuel
Coffee is my essential little ritual. A first one to start the day, then a second, and often a third as I create. It’s my secret for keeping up my energy in the workshop!
10. An adventure shared with Romain
If you’re browsing this site today, it’s thanks to Romain, my husband. He’s the one who built this e-shop and manages it daily so I can focus on my creations. Feel free to discover his own world on his website romainolivier.net.
Looking forward to meeting you!
Whether it’s here on the online shop, during a photo shoot, or at a pottery market, I’m always delighted to chat with you. Every piece that leaves the workshop tells a small part of this story, and now it’s up to you to bring it to life in your daily routine.
Browse the shop to discover my latest creations, and to make sure you don’t miss any of my upcoming exhibitions and news, don’t forget to sign up for the newsletter.
Things that have meaning
I place a lot of value on things that have meaning. To me, handmade objects tell a story of trials, failures, research, a state of mind… in fact, I prefer to consume less but better by meticulously choosing the objects that surround me, prioritizing quality and craftsmanship.
On this site, I offer my creations, handmade with love and passion. I hope you like them.
Christelle
