About Polli Pots

Polli Pots is a ceramic studio based in Malling, Denmark, founded and run by ceramic artist Eeli Polli. Each piece is handcrafted in small batches or made to order, shaped slowly by hand and finished with care. The work balances function and form, resulting in objects that are quietly distinctive, tactile, and meant to be lived with.

Every Polli Pots piece reflects years of practice, experimentation, and a deep respect for material. From form to finish, the process is deliberate and unhurried. All glazes are original, developed and mixed in the studio, giving each object its own nuanced character.

 

The Maker

Eeli-Ethel Polli is a third-generation artist from Estonia. Creativity has been a constant throughout her life, from early painting and illustration to a long career in graphic design and, eventually, ceramics. She began working seriously with clay in 2014, returning to a medium that had long been an enduring passion.

Eeli holds a degree in art, art education, and psychology from Tallinn University. Alongside ceramics, she has worked as a graphic designer for over 15 years and continues to create illustrations, paintings, giclée prints, and hand-printed textiles. These disciplines inform one another, shaping a practice that is both visually refined and deeply tactile.

She lives and works in Denmark with her family, close to the sea, drawing constant inspiration from nature, organic forms, and everyday rituals.


The Practice

Most Polli Pots ceramics are wheel-thrown, while others are hand-built using traditional coil and plaster-form techniques. Each method is chosen based on the form and function of the piece. Bowls, cups, plates, and vessels are shaped individually, then left to dry slowly over several weeks. This drying period cannot be rushed and is essential to the integrity of the final object.

After the first firing, each piece is glazed by hand. Glazing is a critical and sensitive stage where years of testing and experience come into play. Every glaze is applied carefully, often in layers, allowing subtle variation and depth to emerge during the final firing. No two pieces are ever exactly the same.

The result is ceramic work that feels honest, grounded, and quietly expressive.

 

Style & Philosophy

Eeli describes her style as minimalist, rustic, and functional. Forms are inspired by nature and organic movement, with surfaces that invite touch. The work embraces variation and imperfection as an essential part of handmade craft.

Polli Pots ceramics are created to be used, but also to be appreciated as small sculptural objects within the home. Placed on shelves, tables, or in everyday use, they carry presence without demanding attention.

 

Sustainability & Responsibility

At Polli Pots, sustainability is embedded in the making process. Production is intentionally small-scale, with no mass production and minimal inventory. Clay is recycled continuously, including reclaimed material from handwashing and studio processes. Energy use is carefully planned, with solar and wind power used for kiln firings when possible. Rainwater is collected and reused, and packaging materials are reused or recycled whenever possible.

Materials are selected for longevity and safety. English-produced clay and Danish-made, EU-approved glazes are used, all free from lead and cadmium.

 

Wholesale

Polli Pots works with selected shops, galleries, and projects worldwide. While the studio remains hands-on and craft-focused, it has experience producing large wholesale orders, including single orders of over 700 pieces. Wholesale production is made to order, ensuring consistency while maintaining the character of handmade ceramics.

Wholesale inquiries are welcomed via direct contact.

Recognition

Eeli’s work has been featured internationally, including Sundance Catalog, English Country Homes & Interiors, Juliet Contemporary Art Magazine, Etsy editorial features, and numerous design and interior blogs across Europe and the US.


Polli Pots is about thoughtful making, skilled hands, and objects that carry meaning through everyday use.


Each piece is made by hand, in Denmark, with respect for material, time, and tradition.

Step 1

Preparing the Clay

Every piece begins with raw clay. The clay is weighed and wedged by hand — a process of kneading that removes air pockets and aligns the particles. Proper wedging ensures structural integrity and an even texture.

Clay is chosen for its plasticity, strength, and firing behavior. The body must complement the intended glaze and temperature.

Step 2

Forming the Piece

The clay is shaped either by wheel-throwing or hand-building.

  • Wheel-throwing involves centering the clay on a rotating wheel and drawing the walls upward through controlled pressure.
  • Hand-building may include coiling, slab construction, or sculptural forming.

At this stage, proportion, wall thickness, and balance are established. The form is refined while the clay remains pliable.

step 3

Trimming and Refinement

Once the piece reaches a leather-hard state (firm but still workable), it is trimmed.

  • Excess clay is removed from the base.
  • The foot is defined.
  • Edges and surfaces are sharpened or softened.

Handles or additional elements are attached at this stage, requiring careful scoring and slipping to ensure structural bonding.

step 4

Drying

Pieces must dry slowly and evenly. Rapid drying causes warping or cracking.


Drying can take several days depending on thickness and humidity. The goal is complete evaporation of physical water before firing.

step 5

First Firing (Bisque Firing)

The dried piece is fired in a kiln, typically between 900–1000°C.

This transforms fragile clay into ceramic through a chemical process:

  • Organic materials burn away.
  • The clay becomes porous but permanently hardened.

After bisque firing, the piece is durable enough to handle and glaze.

step 6

Glaze Development and Application

Glaze is a mixture of minerals and oxides that melt during firing to form a glass-like surface.


Developing original glazes involves:

  • Testing mineral combinations
  • Adjusting silica, alumina, and flux ratios
  • Firing multiple samples to evaluate texture, tone, and surface reaction


Application methods include pouring, dipping, brushing, or layering. Thickness and interaction with the clay body influence the final result.

step 7

 Glaze Firing

The glazed piece returns to the kiln, often at higher temperatures (1200–1300°C for stoneware).


During this firing:

  • Glaze materials melt and fuse.
  • Color develops through oxidation or reduction.
  • Surface variations emerge based on heat distribution and kiln atmosphere.

No two firings are identical. Subtle shifts in temperature or placement produce nuanced variation.

step 8

Cooling and Finishing

Cooling must be gradual to prevent thermal shock.

Once removed from the kiln:

  • Bases are sanded smooth.
  • Each piece is inspected for balance, finish, and surface integrity.

Only pieces that meet aesthetic and structural standards are released.

Handcrafted in Denmark

Ceramics shaped by years of practice, celebrating timeless form, intention, and individuality.