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MATEJA KAPUN ZAJEC is a Slovenian ceramic maker behind the ceramic brand INHAND. Mateja is primarily focused on unique functional pottery with simple and natural style. Ceramics is developed with care and attention to detail at each stage of the process.

She was drawn to the fascinating process of creating ceramics almost 15 years ago. Mateja works with stoneware clay and strives for organic forms, emphasizing the contrast between the rough surface of the clay and smooth, silky glaze. Most of the pieces are hand-thrown, trimmed and glazed, therefore not even two pieces are totally identical. This small variations in combination of clay, shape and glaze are essential, precious and intended to be treasured. Mateja fell in love with the art of wheel-thrown ceramics ten years ago in the studio of Ines Kovačič, who has been her guide through an exciting universe of ceramics all these years, together with other ceramic colleagues. The development of Mateja’s pots is also influenced by wood-burning kilns and building her own kiln is her greatest dream. For her, making ceramics is an art, but first of all craftsmanship. Raw natural material is characterized by the maker’s idea and physical touch, hands. The touch of hands is permanently imprinted in organic material.

Mateja is a founding member of Clayline Collective which is a group of three makers. All products are made by hand by Mateja Kapun Zajec – at her INHAND studio in the little village of Potok near Trebnje and also at another location, in Ljubljana. Pieces of work are sold through an online store or directly in a store INHAND, located in the heart of the old city center of Ljubljana.