About Kristen Holub & KayHo Ceramics
Every line, dot, and mark is made by hand. In a given KayHo Ceramics mug these add up to between 700-1000 individual design elements. You can feel the time and care that goes into each piece when you hold them in your hands.
Kristen Holub has always enjoyed making things with her hands and can’t remember a time she was not interested in art. She earned a BFA from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, where she studied glassblowing and metals. She opened a studio in Chicago and for several years worked full time as a metalsmith and jewelry designer until deciding to become a stay at home mom in 2008.
After the pandemic, Kristen was craving a new outlet for her creative energy. She rediscovered clay when she signed up for a ceramics class at her local park district. “It took me a minute to remember how to throw on the wheel and I was not very good, but I loved how it felt to create with my hands again. I signed up for more classes, practiced with different instructors, learned new techniques, and really enjoyed exploring this medium.” she said. But ceramics was still just something fun to do once or twice a week.
“It’s been a joy to find such a connection with this process and technique. When I start to carve, I get into a state of flow. Time falls away as I use tools to carve into the blank canvass of the clay’s surface.”
~ Kristen Holub
The first time Kristen tried carving clay was in a surface design class. “This was the moment for me. I loved it! I found that I could put all my doodles, mandalas, and the nature- and architecture-inspired ideas that live in my head into the clay! It was SO satisfying! Carving clay is what I want to do every day.”
It’s been her joy to find such a connection with this process and technique. “When I start to carve, I get into a state of flow. Time falls away as I use tools to carve into the blank canvass of the clay’s surface.” Soon after, as her pieces and tools started piling up, Kristen founded KayHo Ceramics in 2024
Join Kristen on this journey as her work at KayHo Ceramics evolves and grows. It’s an honor whenever someone decides to add KayHo Ceramics to their life and home. Elevate your Everyday!
“Literally every design just keeps getting more beautiful…amazing”
- Customer comment on Instagram
