Meet Jazmin Meneer, the visionary founder behind Slow Living Studio, where the art of pottery meets the philosophy of mindfulness.
Her journey is one of passion, dedication, and a deep-rooted commitment to infusing tranquility into everyday life. With each piece crafted by her hands, Jazmin weaves together the essence of slow living, drawing inspiration from the serene landscapes of North Cornwall and the simple joys of daily rituals.
Join us as we delve into her inspiring story, exploring how she transforms clay into vessels of peace and mindfulness, enriching lives one pottery piece at a time…
How did the idea for Slow Living Studio come about, and what inspired you to start a business that focuses on mindful living through pottery?
Slow Living Studio started quite organically, I fell in love with pottery my first moment on the potter’s wheel, with a ball of clay in my hands, and my mind was instantly quiet. I loved this wholesome addition that seemed so in balance with the other aspects of my life. When it came to selling my pottery and turning my new passion into a business it made sense to me to make pieces that give that same sense of mindfulness that pottery gives me. Slow living is what I wanted to invoke in my work.
Can you share a specific moment or experience that solidified your commitment to the slow living philosophy and influenced your creative direction in pottery?
I suffered from anxiety for years until I started committing to daily meditation, exercise and time in nature. I quit coffee. I completely stopped drinking alcohol, gifting myself every slow Sunday. I added yoga and sound baths to my week. But even with that, at the beginning of last year I still found myself completely burnt out from my job. Every other aspect of my life was aligned to me except my career. Leaving my job and starting my pottery business was my solidifying moment. To truly be intentional in all parts of my life, making my morning routines non-negotiable and prioritising my peace. Now I’m working a job I love, where I get to add slow moments to other people’s lives.
Slow Living Studio is based in North Cornwall. How does the local environment influence your creative process and the essence of your pieces?
The colours and textures I see everyday here definitely inspire my work. I’ve always been drawn to earthy, muted tones. From the rugged coastline to moorland, or serene waters on pebble beaches. The inspiration here seems endless.
Your pottery draws inspiration from small, daily rituals and simple pleasures. Can you elaborate on how these elements manifest in your work and contribute to the overall ethos of Slow Living Studio?
I started pottery as a business to be able to live a balanced, peaceful life. It made sense that my work also reflected my reasons for creating the business in the first place. And that begins with the small moments like daily rituals. For me, every day starts with lit incense and a matcha tea or latté – so I started with matcha bowls, cups and incense burners, then moved to other sized mugs for the coffee and tea drinkers. Then I started making vases that are minimalist, with muted tones. I feel like our homes and the interiors of our homes are so important for creating that sense of calm, and I want my work to contribute to that in some small way.
What challenges did you face when establishing Slow Living Studio, and how did you overcome them while staying true to your vision?
The biggest challenge was choosing to take the financial risk in the first place. The equipment alone is very expensive and I knew to make my vision work I needed to go all in with it. Which meant leaving a stable income. But I truly believed that it would work, as long as I stayed true to myself and my vision, and that I was always authentic. I think all business owners have to have a strong belief in themselves and their vision and not have limitations on what it can grow into.
Can you share a memorable story or customer feedback that exemplifies the impact your pottery has had on someone’s life or perspective?
For me it’s seeing people’s videos and photos they share online. How they implement it into their routines, or how it’s been styled inside their home. It becomes this full circle moment for me, where I enjoyed the mindfulness in the creation of their piece and now they are mindful in how it’s used. It’s these little moments where I know I’m adding small elements of joy into people’s daily lives and routines. That’s pretty fulfilling for me.
Slow Living Studio places importance on embracing the present moment. How do you stay present and connected to your craft during the various stages of pottery creation?
My studio has become my sanctuary. It’s a shepherd’s hut, in the Cornish countryside, overlooking fields with horses in. When I’m working it’s like I’m existing in my own little world, with just the sound of nature outside. I set myself up in the morning by lighting my log burner, lighting an incense stick, making a tea and putting on some calming music or a podcast. My phone is set on silent for the day. This gets me out of my head and into the present moment. And then the pottery itself – whether it’s throwing pots, trimming or glazing – it’s such a mindful process in itself that you can’t help but be present and there in the moment.
What role does sustainability play in the production and ethos of Slow Living Studio, and how do you ensure that your pottery aligns with environmentally conscious practices?
An amazing part of pottery is knowing that you’re making something that’s come from the ground, essentially earth, and it can be endlessly recycled. So if you mess a piece up, it just gets recycled and then you try again. Even finished pots that break can be made into mosaics, or you can use the art of kitsingu to repair a pot, or you can even grind them up to add to future glazes. I’m also always researching different environmentally friendly packaging options, and ways to source clays and glazes more locally to me.
Can you share a specific piece from your collection that holds a special meaning for you and embodies the essence of slow living? What inspired its creation?
My matcha bowls. When I first started taking pottery lessons, it was what I wanted to make. Matcha had been a part of my morning routine for some time, and I wanted to add a handmade bowl to that ritual for added intention. When I decided I wanted to start selling pottery, I worked on the matcha bowls for months, trying out different sizes, shapes, glazes… Trying out each one until I got the feeling I was after. It’s also what I use in my daily life – it gets used everyday.
As a creative entrepreneur, what advice do you have for individuals seeking to integrate slow living principles into their own businesses or creative endeavours?
So much can be gained from slowing down. Even if it’s just a short, ten-minute meditation every morning or having your coffee without the distractions of phones or the internet. It’s in these quiet moments that the mind is clear and I find from that you can gather focus for your day ahead. All my best ideas have come to me during my meditation practice. I believe that it’s from those moments of stillness and reflection that we grow creatively.
In what ways do you continue to learn and grow as an artist and business owner, and how does this continuous evolution influence the direction of Slow Living Studio?
Everyday I’m learning, in both business, as an artist, and as a human. With pottery, mistakes or accidents are made constantly. To be a potter you need to be ok with failure, and that’s such a learning lesson for life. As they say, we are never starting again from scratch but from experience. If you take lessons from every failure and constantly question yourself, that is growth. I’m also a big reader and I love podcasts. There’s a wealth of knowledge out there and I try to either read or listen to one podcast every day on a topic that I can grow from, whether that’s a podcast from an inspiring, successful business woman, or a book about mindfulness written by a monk…
Your pottery is known for its unique and personal touch. How do you maintain authenticity in your craft while meeting the demands of a growing business?
I avoid following trends. I want my work to be timeless and for it to have meaning. I’m constantly questioning as to whether my work is still authentic to my message and to the meaning behind my work. I use muted, natural tones as I believe they have a sense of grounding and calmness about them. It may mean that it doesn’t stand out or follow particular trends, but I’d rather work within that longer process, and discover people who really connect to what I’m selling. I feel like that’s a more authentic way to work, hopefully fomenting a business with longevity.
Slow Living Studio’s creations often evoke a sense of tranquility and mindfulness. Can you share any specific techniques or rituals you use to infuse these qualities into your work?
When creating a new piece, the space in which it will sit and how it might be used is always in the forefront of my mind. I have a mood board in my studio with photos of interiors – very minimalist, calming spaces. I always look at that and think, “does this piece belong there?”, “How is it going to add to someone’s daily life and rituals?”, “What feeling do I get from it?”.
As a founder and artist, how do you balance the business aspects of Slow Living Studio with the creative aspects, ensuring that both flourish harmoniously in alignment with the slow living ethos?
I’m intuitive with when I create – when I’m feeling inspired, I get in the studio and start making or sketching out new ideas. Days where I’m not in a creative mindset, I’ll focus on the marketing side of the business, the admin, ordering and packing. I try to give both sides equal time and energy. The creative process is important, but the business side is what’s going to get those pieces sold. It’s also about knowing when it’s time to rest and slow down and being in tune with my mind and body to keep that balance.
What’s your go-to quote when you are lacking motivation?
Evolve or repeat. I love this quote. It’s a reminder that every day is an opportunity for growth, and that life will continue the same unless we do something about it.
What destination is at the top of your bucket list?
I love to travel and there aren’t many places that aren’t on my bucket list. But right now Nepal is there at the top. I’m going there this October, it’ll be the perfect chance to slow down before the busy Christmas period. I’m planning a lot of hiking, visiting temples and yoga. It’s been a dream of mine to see Mount Everest, so I’m hoping to do a scenic flight so that I can see it up close.
Where can people follow you and find out more?
You can find me on instagram @slowlivingstudio, or visit slowlivingstudio.co.uk
If you’re hungry for more stories of passion and resilience, be sure to explore House of Coco for a treasure trove of interviews with inspiring individuals like Jazmin. From entrepreneurs to artists, each interview offers a glimpse into the diverse tapestry of human experiences and the boundless potential of the human spirit.
So, why not delve deeper into the world of Slow Living Studio and discover the transformative power of mindful living?
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