The Artistry Behind Our Ceramics

Welcome to our Meet the Maker Series

Partnering with artists and artisans has always been one of the most fulfilling aspects of the work I´ve done and continue to do. 

It was love at first sight when I spotted the work of Oema Ceramics. 

*Photo by Ianthé Meylemans shows Ana holding a piece crafted by her grandfather Mario de Souza.


More specifically, it was love of a color. Pink.

A shade of pink I hadn't seen in other ceramic artist´s collections. Not too sweet, not too bold. Just right for FELIZ.  

This perfect shade of pink is now part of our FELIZ Signature handcrafted mugs.

Working with Ana has been a dream and the perfect match for FELIZ.  She understands what I'm looking for and she imbues craftsmanship and uniqueness in each piece created for FELIZ. 

Each one of Ana´s handcrafted pieces is one of a kind, lending to their beauty. They are pieces to cherish and enjoy in your daily rituals.


I couldn't be more excited to share for our first maker interview featuring Ana from Oema Ceramics. 

Read on...

 

The Artistry Behind the Ceramics

 

 

*FELIZ Signature mugs handcrafted by Oema

Tell us about who you are. What's your story?

I’m Ana de Souza, a Brazilian designer and ceramicist based in Barcelona, and the person behind every Oema piece. My story with clay is a personal one—it runs in my blood. My grandfather and great-grandfather were potters, and I grew up surrounded by gentle routines and rituals that gave meaning to the everyday. Oema is my way of honoring that legacy while shaping something of my own—intentional, and deeply rooted. While ceramics are the heart of my work, I’ve recently started exploring Sterling Silver jewelry. It’s a meticulous process that’s been energizing and full of curiosity. I see it as another thread in Oema’s story—expanding, not shifting.

*Photo by Ianthé Meylemans

*Photo by Ianthé Meylemans 

What's your morning ritual?

Coffee is non-negotiable. I brew it slowly, the same way I watched my family do it growing up in Brazil. That first quiet moment of the day is just for me: coffee in hand, maybe a book, a diary session, or a favorite renovation YouTube channel playing in the background.

*Photo of the Oema Atelier

*FELIZ Signature mugs handcrafted by Oema

What's another craft that you're interested in exploring?

Glass blowing! It feels wild and fluid and full of possibility. I’m fascinated by the way heat, breath, and movement can shape such a delicate material.

*FELIZ Signature mugs handcrafted by Oema

What are you loving these days?

Spring in Barcelona has been spectacular. The city is full of lush greens, and blooming trees and flowers. Even a simple walk becomes a joyful, sensory experience.

What are some simple luxuries for you? How do you add more of them into your day?

Two simple luxuries I treasure every day: my morning walk with Marvin, my dog, and a siesta after lunch. That morning sunshine and fresh air before work is grounding, and the siesta—something I inherited from my family—feels like the ultimate luxury. I’m lucky to have my atelier at home, so I can build these slow moments into my rhythm.

*Photo of details in the Oema  Atelier

How do you get inspired? Where does your inspiration come from?

I often find inspiration in quiet, slow moments. I love flipping through beautiful books—on ceramics, botanicals, jewelry, photography, architecture—with a cup of coffee in hand. But it also comes from walking through Barcelona. The city’s architecture, especially the details in its modernist buildings, constantly catches my eye and makes me pause. There’s so much poetry in the curves, the way nature is woven into the structures. My childhood memories are another deep well of inspiration. I grew up surrounded by gentle rituals, by ceramics and flowers and family hands at work. My pieces carry that emotional weight—they’re my way of honoring those moments and making them tangible.