My name is Marjaliisa Umb, and I have been a member of DKG Estonia, Beta Chapter since 2016. I am the current President of Beta Chapter, and I have held this role for the past two years. Concurrently, with overlapping responsibilities, I have also been the Chapter’s Secretary since 2022. Since 2014 I have been working as a development manager and teacher at Pärnu Raeküla School. While in previous academic years I taught mathematics and research basics, this year I will focus only on the fundamentals of research.
I became interested in ceramics by chance nearly a decade ago, when I visited a clay workshop. Incidentally, I still have the cup I made in that workshop, and I drink coffee from it every day at work. Over the years, my clay processing skills have improved, my knowledge has increased, and I dare to take on larger and more complex projects. I have always enjoyed keeping my hands busy to create something beautiful. As with any hobby, it is a wonderful opportunity to prioritise peace and quiet. Handmade objects always have value and cannot be found elsewhere.
The crafting bug has been in my family for generations, as both my grandmother and mother have been involved in porcelain painting. For me, moulding and designing clay feels like a productive hobby when I have time. There have been periods of time when I have been very active, but there have also been months when I have not picked up clay at all. During these active intervals, my clay constructions are often influenced by
necessities in my life. Often, I fashion items for functional use in my home and summer house, but I am also driven to make objects based on my own imagination as well as by special requests from friends and family. I must admit that not every project works out as initially planned: countless bowls and platters have dried out, glazes have set in unexpected ways, and teapots have failed to hold water due to poor connections. The patterns, details, and glazes I choose to mark my art certainly characterise me.
Below are some pictures that give an overview of my creations.
I became interested in ceramics by chance nearly a decade ago, when I visited a clay workshop. Incidentally, I still have the cup I made in that workshop, and I drink coffee from it every day at work. Over the years, my clay processing skills have improved, my knowledge has increased, and I dare to take on larger and more complex projects. I have always enjoyed keeping my hands busy to create something beautiful. As with any hobby, it is a wonderful opportunity to prioritise peace and quiet. Handmade objects always have value and cannot be found elsewhere.
The crafting bug has been in my family for generations, as both my grandmother and mother have been involved in porcelain painting. For me, moulding and designing clay feels like a productive hobby when I have time. There have been periods of time when I have been very active, but there have also been months when I have not picked up clay at all. During these active intervals, my clay constructions are often influenced by
necessities in my life. Often, I fashion items for functional use in my home and summer house, but I am also driven to make objects based on my own imagination as well as by special requests from friends and family. I must admit that not every project works out as initially planned: countless bowls and platters have dried out, glazes have set in unexpected ways, and teapots have failed to hold water due to poor connections. The patterns, details, and glazes I choose to mark my art certainly characterise me.
Below are some pictures that give an overview of my creations.
Click on the photos to make them bigger
