Why my label is called formfrei – The meaning behind the name
I still remember the time when my world increasingly revolved around clay. I was immersed in the subject – spending every free minute I had besides my studies at the potter's wheel, trying out new techniques, and perfecting my skills. I talked about ceramics, dreamed about it, and couldn't get enough.
My first workplace was my parents' garden shed. It became my perfect retreat to fully immerse myself in the craft. I spent countless hours there, letting my hands shape the clay and experimenting with different glazes. In this workshop, not only my ceramics but also my vision took shape. It was the place where formfrei slowly came to life.
As I immersed myself further and further in this world, a picture formed in my mind. I imagined what my future label might look like. How the products would feel. How I might develop and implement my own style. A vast, new world took shape in my mind's eye—and I felt I could create it with ease.
But something was still missing: a name.
A name that should be more than just a brand. It should express what my ceramics mean to me – and what I want to convey with my work. My pieces should be more than just functional objects. They should convey emotion, touch, inspire, and leave room for one's own thoughts. But how do you sum all of this up in a single word?
I made lists, jotted down ideas in my sketchbook, and talked to friends and family. Some suggestions sounded good, others seemed too generic, and still others were too abstract. For weeks, I searched for a name that felt right.
Then the moment came, when it suddenly clicked: formfrei.
The word immediately felt like an answer. It was exactly what defines my work: the freedom to create forms without adhering to rigid specifications. The freedom to make art without expecting perfection. The freedom to create something entirely new from a simple lump of clay.
But formfrei means even more to me. It's an attitude, an invitation to discover the beauty of handmade items. It's precisely the small imperfections, the individual traces of craftsmanship, that make a piece special. In a world full of mass production, I want to set an example – for the authentic, the unique, the lovingly crafted.
But it's not just about my ceramics. When someone picks up one of my pieces, turns it over, and reads the name on the underside, it should be a memory. A reminder that not only this piece of ceramic is formless, but so is life itself.
My slogan is:
“Life follows the form you give it.”
Every single day we have the opportunity to change our lives—to redesign our daily routines, break with routines, and let go of things that no longer feel right. Change happens when we have the courage to allow it.
And that's exactly what my ceramics are meant to remind you of: the freedom to shape your own life—full of possibilities, just like a lump of clay.
Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day!
Your Anna Maria
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Angelika Schiemer
Photography:
https://www.lichtzeichnerin.at
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/lichtzeichnerin/