When Ceramics Lead You to China

A glimpse of Joy’s ceramic world.

Today, we welcomed Joy from Seattle, USA.

Joy is a ceramic artist who creates beautiful handmade pieces inspired by clay. From delicate cups to other functional forms, her work reflects a deep connection with ceramics.

This was her very first trip to China, and her journey here has a very special focus.

She came to explore the world of Chinese ceramics.

Over the next weeks, she will be visiting several well-known ceramic regions in China, before ending her journey in Jingdezhen—the heart of Chinese porcelain culture. She also shared that she will return again this November for another ceramics-related trip, and before leaving, she smiled and said she would love to come back to Yin Studio as well.

Making the shape of soup dumpling at Yin Studio in Shanghai.

Today’s class was our Soup Dumpling Making class (Xiao Long Bao)—something she specifically chose because her family already loves soup dumplings.

It was interesting to see how something so familiar to her family became something she wanted to experience hands-on, right here in China.

While shaping and wrapping dumplings together, the conversation slowly moved from food to culture, and from culture back to her own journey.

Joy with her handmade soup dumpling at Yin Studio in Shanghai

One of the things that stayed with me most was how naturally her curiosity extends beyond ceramics.

She has been learning Chinese online for the past six months, and during class she would occasionally surprise me with a few perfectly pronounced Chinese words. It felt less like studying a language, and more like slowly opening a door into another culture.

We also talked about Chinese history, traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture, and even Chinese costume dramas. Her curiosity doesn’t stay in one place—it moves across different layers of culture.

She also shared that her son is currently studying Chinese at university, which made her especially happy. It was touching to see how this interest in China has quietly become something shared within her family.

Of course, we also discovered something very simple and warm—we are both cat lovers.

Joy has two Maine Coon cats at home, and we spent a good moment exchanging photos and stories about our cats. Small conversations like this always make people feel a little closer.

Today’s class also happened to fall on the Dragon Boat Festival.

Calamus and mugwort hanging on doors during the Dragon Boat Festival.

We talked about how local families hang calamus and mugwort on their doors during this time of year, as part of an old tradition for protection and seasonal change.

Walking through the neighborhood, these quiet details made the festival feel very alive—not something explained, but something naturally lived.

Joy also tried zongzi for the first time, and we watched some exciting dragon boat race moments from this year together.

Before saying goodbye, Joy gave me a small ceramic bird that she made herself.

A handmade ceramic bird gifted by Joy.

It now has a place at Yin Studio.

For me, it is not just a gift, but a small reminder of how ceramics can quietly connect people across cultures and distances.

Memorable photo with Joy

Sometimes, a shared craft is enough to begin a journey.

We are already looking forward to welcoming Joy back this November.