M i MA 
Die Fastenzeit ist beendet (es hat gut getan. Ich werde es wieder tun. Mehr darüber in Bälde). Die neue Woche beginnt. In der Zwischenzeit habe ich meinen Blick in die Ferne schweifen lassen: in ein kleines Städtchen nördlich von Lissabon. Dort nämlich lebt Paula und zaubert unter dem Label otchipotchi Keramiken so zart wie und schön wie Blüten. In unserem kleinen Gespräch verrät sie uns, was es mit dem Namen otchipotchi auf sich hat, was sie in der Natur findet und dass sie mit ihrer Arbeit vor allem Freude schenken möchte.
Danke, liebe Paula, für das schöne Gespräch. Und euch wünsche ich einen guten Start in die Woche.
– – –
The ‚Digital Detox‘ is finished (it has done well. I’ll do it again. More about that shortly). The new week begins. In the meantime, I have glanced at a small town north of Lisbon. There Paula lives and works. Under the label otchipotchi she does ceramics so delicate and as beautiful as the flowers of bluebells. In our little conversation, she tells us what it’s called otchipotchi, what she finds in nature and that they want to give their work especially joy.
Who are you? Could you introduce yourself in a few words?
First of all I would like to thank you for the invitation to this lovely interview.
To answer your question … I’m a ceramist. A dreamer. Someone who enjoys spending mornings in the fields picking flowers. Who likes sunny days as well as rainy and stormy days. Who likes the change of the Seasons. A tea lover who lives with a cat and a dog. Someone who enjoys baking and loves the simple pleasures of a simple quiet life.
You live in a Portuguese small town. Would you let us know in which town or area you live and what you especially love in your home town?
I live in a small town about 100km north of Lisboa towards the centre of Portugal. I like the fact that this town is a calm place very close to nature situated on vast planes from where I can see wonderfully big open skies. It is a place which gives me all that I need and allows me time and lets me breathe.
Why don´t you live in Lisboa where you have studied?
I lived most of my life in large cities and I suppose just got tired of the fast pace of life you have in them. I needed to be closer to nature and slow down.
You have a small ceramic lable called O T C H I P O T C H I. What does that mean and what is the story of Otchipotchi?
The word Otchipotchi doesn’t mean anything in particular, at least as far as I know!
I created the word „Otchipotchi“ while playing with some English words … it was just a happy incident! 
You have studied ceramics at Ar.Co. What was your focus? Where have you primarily worked in and what have you appreciated there?
Ar.Co is a school which focuses primarily on art while obviously equipping students with the right tools and techniques. It was very important for me to have that sort of relationship while studying ceramics as it helped me develop a better understanding of my way of seeing and feeling the world around me and comprehend how it influences my work.
It seems that primarily nature inspires you and your work. If I am right, why especially nature is your muse?
Nature is a source of inspiration to me since I was a child. I remember to always carry flowers, pebbles and shells in my pockets.
It is something instinctive and whenever I have to spend long periods of time away from it I feel slightly lost and something is missing inside. I find peace and a strong connection in nature.
What do you wish for you and your label the next years?
I’m not very ambitious and do not particularly wish to become famous or well known.
I just hope people continue to enjoy my work and that it will bring them some peace, quietness and a little smile.
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Sehr schönes Interview und tolle Fotos – super sympathisch!
Neulich bin ich schon einmal über Paulas Vasen »gestolpert«, die ich seitdem ganz wunderbar finde. Es muss sich sehr fein anfühlen, diese schmeichelnden Vasen und Gefässe in den Händen zu halten!
Die steinförmigen Vasen sind wunderbar. LG Rebekka
I love Paula's work!AriadnefromGreece!
wundeRschöne keRamik. und fast noch schöneRe natuRansammlungen. so haRmonisch. so Ruhig. wohltat füR augen und inneRe balance. einfach so schön.
danke füR dieses inteRview und die schönen bildeR ….
ich liebe keramik, der man das handgemachte deutlich ansieht … und ich freue mich hier ein interview mit paula zu finden, zaehle ich doch einzelne ihrer werke mein eigen …
Die sind traumhaft!
oh wie schön! schöne keramik sehe ich im moment immer öfter und freue mich, dass es mehr davon gibt. danke fürs interview und schön, dass du wieder da bist. liebe grüße, wiebke
Thank you Indre for making it all happen + for the beautiful way you put it all together.
Enjoy a wonderful month of July *
i adore paula's ceramic work – the organic shapes, the eggshelly haptics, the fragility, the whiteness. thanks a lot for the interwiew. und dir, liebe indre, außerdem gutes zurückkehren aus der fastenzeit.
even more than her wonderful ceramics I love her collections of natural things. thank you for this inspiring interview, indre.
Toll, dass du Otchipotchi vorstellst. Ich "verfolge" schon lange ihren Blog, weil ich ihre zauberhafte Keramik mag. Und auch die Art, wie sie ihre Bilder auf dem Blog präsentiert. Inspirierend und so ganz anders. Dir eine schöne Woche, LG Yna
Schön, dass Du wieder da bist + ich hoffe Du hattest eine bereichernde (Aus-) Zeit!
Wunderschön sind die in Keramik gefassten Augenweiden der Natur !!! Danke für den Einblick + den Erinnerungsschups an Lissabon, Porto,… Hach!
Liebe Grüße
Minza willSommer
her ceramics are some of the most precious things i own – so wonderful.
and she´s also such a kind, creative person, whom i´m share my endless love with plants with:)
thank you for this interview!