Exploring clay, glaze, and texture to create pieces that feel both alive and ancient.
Experimenting with clay, glaze, and texture uncovers unexpected surfaces and forms, often inspired by the natural, rustic, and timeless qualities of the earth. From tiles to small-batch ceramics and occasional handmade jewelry, each piece becomes an exploration.
About
I’m Špela Hvala, the hands and mind behind SPHV Studio.
My work centers on the exploration of glaze chemistry, texture, and material possibilities. I create ceramics in small batches, preferring thoughtful experimentation over volume. I’m drawn to surfaces that feel aged, weathered, and naturally unearthed—pieces that look as though they’ve lived a hundred years before reaching your hands.
My practice includes tile making, clay blending, and mid-fire glaze testing, always searching for new interactions and unexpected results. Alongside these studies, I create a limited selection of handmade ceramic jewelry—simple, organic pieces that serve as the finishing touch to my studio work.
Outside the studio, I’m a software developer with a passion for mathematics. Glaze testing combines the logic I love with the unpredictability of fire, making ceramics the perfect balance of science and art.
SPHV Studio is my space for experimentation, discovery, and the quiet satisfaction of learning through clay.
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![An image of Tiles]()
Stoneware Tiles
Handmade tiles from mixed stoneware clays, finished with glazes specially developed for this collection.
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![An image of Ceramic Jewelry.]()
Stoneware Jewelry
Handmade ceramic jewelry made from mixed stoneware clays, each piece shaped by hand and naturally unique.
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![An image of Handmade Coffee cups]()
Coffee cups
Handmade coffee cups crafted from dark, iron-rich clay, contrasted with bright porcelain inlay—perfect for coffee lovers.
Resources & Reflections
Ebook: Exploring underglaze pencil recipes
This eBook is my little guide to exploring underglaze pencil recipes. It’s packed with experiments, notes, and variations from my own tests, so you can see what worked and what didn’t. Whether you want to try the recipes as they are or use them as a starting point for your own experiments, it’s all here in one handy place.
