STEFANIE AHLSTRÖM

isle of Moon is a ceramic collection of joyful objects for everyday use. Long lasting friends that bring a smile to your face. Each thing is an individual with a story to tell and a bright future to share. Everything is meticulously hand made in my studio and then showed off at our artsy shop in the Stockholm hipster heaven.

Working with clay is my perfect antidote to being an apparel designer in a competitive market. I can make totally purposeless things that nobody relies on and nobody is affected if they become ugly or bad. But mostly they make people smile. 

Despite the creative freedom much of what I love about my profession can be found in the lumps of clay. I give myself increasingly difficult tasks and always want to take the next step, be it construction, shapes, glazes, uses... It comes down to problem solving, understanding the material and what needs to be done at what stage and in which order for the result to be as expected.

Who doesn’t need a flowerpot with ears? Bad coffee becomes much better if drunk from mug made with love. And who doesn’t need a pot with it’s own personality? Friends that can be bought!

…like dogs

OUTDOOR DOGS

I am an active outdoors person and my dog joins me on my treks, ski trips, kayaking tours and the simple trail run. She needs to be seen, safe, stay warm in winter and always comfortable. Needs not different from what we humans request from outdoor gear. Much of what is available on the market is tacky, clumsy and inappropriate especially for smaller friends. I’m convinced things could be better.

Durable doesn’t have to be heavy and safety doesn’t have to come in paw shaped reflectives. Dogs in general have bad taste but not all dog owners do. I see no reason for why dog-stuff can’t look as good as human-stuff. Regardless of fashion sensitivity both humans and dogs appreciate lightweight, hassle free, comfortable and protective gear that does its job.

I make my (dog’s) own clothes. They are visible, easy to wash, dry quickly and don’t restrain any of her movement. I incorporate the harness into the jacket so as to decrease bulk letting her concentrate on her "mission". I use visible colours and reflectives that are part of the design rather than a patch on top of everything. The pieces are tests and prototypes that I then develop further. Looking at all the active and conscious dog owners I know I have something to offer the market.