The elements of earth, water, air, and fire uniting to bring an object into existence; enjoying contemplative moments; this pure sensuality of hands in the earth; exploring the inherent character of the materials; creating forms and experimenting with colors; patient waiting intertwined with impatient anticipation, only to marvel at the magic of unpredictability and the play of alchemy when finally opening the kiln.
Terra e Mani – Ceramic Studio in Zurich
Welcome to Terra e Mani! Our ceramic studio is a place of creativity and craftsmanship, shaped by the joy of creation, a love for the material, and a deep appreciation for traditional craft.
This is where functional ceramics, ceramic lighting, and objects come to life, born from an immersive exploration of form, surface, and process. Clay is at the very center of our work. Its openness and resistance demand undivided attention and experience. With mindfulness and patience, each step builds upon the last, from shaping the form to firing, all part of a meticulous process where material, time, and craftsmanship come together.
Terra e Mani was born from the desire to create a space where exactly this form of work becomes possible.
Design and Craftsmanship
Inside the atelier, we create objects made to endure daily use and resonate within a space. Functional ceramics, sculptural works, and ceramic lighting are developed with a clear focus on proportion, materiality, and surface.
Form emerges through repetition and refinement. Glazes are developed over long periods, precisely tailored to individual shapes. The firing process brings these decisions to light, completing each piece.
Alongside our independent work, we also realize custom projects for interior spaces and specific architectural needs. At the heart of it all is the question of how an object functions over time and integrates into its context.
Anyone looking for ceramics in Zurich that emerge from a clear design process will find a direct partner in Terra e Mani.
Pottery Classes in Zurich
Sharing knowledge is an essential part of our studio. Our pottery classes in Zurich are designed for individuals who do not just want to work with clay, but truly want to understand it.
Working on the wheel, building forms by hand, and handling glazes are taught as a continuous, connected flow. What matters most is developing a feel for the material, timing, and the many small decisions throughout the process.
In a calm, focused atmosphere, we guide participants through learning this demanding craft. This creates a space where technical precision, creative evolution, and personal expression can naturally grow.
The Open Ceramic Studio
Terra e Mani offers a professional environment for anyone wishing to work with clay on a regular basis. To support this, we provide dedicated independent workspaces within our studio. The focus is on self-directed work, allowing you to learn and continuously refine different processes while developing your own artistic signature.
Our open atmosphere fosters inspiration and mutual learning. Through encounters and conversations, we share experiences, make processes visible, and develop ideas together. This creates an environment where collegial exchange comes naturally, and new approaches grow directly out of practice.
For anyone looking to work with ceramics in Zurich and the surrounding area, or wishing to deepen their practice, the atelier of Terra e Mani is the place where exactly that becomes possible.
Philosophy and Origins
Our paths to ceramics began at different points, connected by a shared joy in the material and a love for experimentation.
Conny Conny found her connection to clay early on and deepened her practice during an intensive, three-month program at the world-renowned La Meridiana ceramic school in Tuscany. This time lastingly shaped her understanding of material, form, and process. Complementing this experience, she has continuously refined her skills in various hand-building and wheel-throwing techniques under the guidance of renowned ceramicists.
Her work is driven by curiosity and the desire to explore new forms, surfaces, and creative possibilities. At the center of her practice is pushing boundaries, playing with organic shapes, textures, and glazes, and searching for techniques that give her objects depth, movement, and a distinct tactile presence.
Manuel Manuel found his way to ceramics through shared work in the studio, driven by a fascination with understanding the material's potential. His approach is heavily shaped by experimentation. Advanced training with renowned artists and daily practice on the wheel have been particularly influential, with his current focus resting on clean forms and the development of complex crystalline glazes.
Our work combines intuition and experimentation, attentiveness and patience. We view ceramics as a process that cannot be fully controlled, but rather unfolds in the making. Many pieces take months to fully reveal themselves. It is from this intentional slowness that the quality of our work grows. It leaves behind subtle, unmistakable nuances that turn every single object into a true unique piece.
Terra e Mani,
this is us
Conny Wettstein
For many years, working with clay has accompanied me not just as a craft, but as a deep creative passion. I am particularly fascinated by the sensuality of the material. Raw, soft, and malleable clay acts as a quiet invitation to connect with one’s own creativity. For me, this craft is an intense dialogue between hand and material, between feeling and technique, between patience and intuition.
I took my first steps in ceramics through hand-building courses, driven by curiosity and the desire to dive deeper into this versatile medium. It quickly became clear that clay is far more than just a raw material. It is a means of expression that offers space for creation and personal growth.
The desire to deepen my skills eventually led me to Italy, where I attended the renowned La Meridiana ceramic school in Tuscany for three intensive months. Surrounded by olive groves and the distinct light of that landscape, I found my way to the potter’s wheel. That time was far more than just an education in ceramics; it became a defining turning point on my path.
From this passion, a clear creative and professional path emerged. A long-held dream became a reality. Together with Manuel, I built my own ceramic studio.
This special place offers room for creativity, craftsmanship, and inspiration. Here, ideas take shape, unique objects emerge from the earth, and design flows from the hands.
Manuel Lamora
When we set up our first small studio, I had absolutely no experience with clay. Through Conny, who showed me the first movements on the wheel, a world opened up to me completely unexpectedly, one that instantly captured my imagination.
What fascinates me most about this craft is the almost infinite variety of creative possibilities, as well as the intentionally slowed-down, mindful handling of the material. My work thrives on curiosity and patience. I love pushing the boundaries of the materials and discovering unexpected beauty in the process. The alchemy of glazes, the play with colors and textures, and the constant search for new forms of expression shape my journey.
My current focus lies in the development of crystalline glazes. Creating test series, mixing and testing new recipes, and carefully documenting these processes is a deeply meaningful and grounding practice for me. Some developments span over months. It is precisely within this slowness that a special depth is born.
Crystalline glazes are a lesson in patience for me. Inside the kiln, heat and time merge into patterns that cannot be forced. Each piece becomes a snapshot of the fleeting, a quiet testament to the perfectly imperfect.
