When did your first orders start coming in?

FLÓRA: Once our products were up on the internet, our customers found us organically. Instagram is our main platform, and usually customers pick out objects that we’ve made in the past, or sometimes we get requests for gifts for special occasions like weddings and birthdays, where our ceramics are custom-made.

We heard you also hold SUSU workshops?

SZAFFI: Yes. It’s important to note that nowadays there are a lot of ceramic workshops in the city, but for a long time, the typical theme was that you could paint pre-made ceramics in these workshops, but not actually work with the clay itself.

We wanted to take a different approach and our workshops consist of two sessions: in the first session you get to mold clay, and experience the material — this is always an exciting step, especially for someone who’s never tried it before or their last time was in high school. In the second session, you’ll get to paint the finished product and then we glaze and fire it. After, it’s ready for you to use at home for years to come! We usually make cereal bowls or mugs, and the whole point is to experience the creative process and to make your own object.

 

 

What are your roles at SUSU?

 

SZAFFI: What’s great about SUSU, is that right from the start, our goal was for both of us to be a part of all the processes. We both enjoy working with clay, painting, designing, working on the creative processes, as well as taking part in the more mundane office tasks, or things like social media.

 

FLÓRA: This state of play has always been natural for us and we’ve been able to blend together so seamlessly and naturally. This applies to a lot of things, finding the kiln, our studio, each other, or our shapes, colours, collaborations, and workshops. As Szaffi mentioned, we both take part in the painting process and in most cases only the two of us can tell the difference between who painted what. Obviously, there are differences, but somehow the motifs and objects look so natural next to each other that visually, they’re all in sync.

 

 

How did the two of you get into ceramics, what are your backgrounds?

 

FLÓRA: I studied Art and Design Theory at university, and although I always wanted to do something creative, I wasn’t brave enough to make that choice with my studies. I soon realised after graduation that this wasn’t the path I wanted to take, I continued my job as a babysitter, while I tried to figure out how I should move forward. The one thing I was sure of, is that I wanted to create, let that be on paper, canvas, or with clay.

 

SZAFFI: I studied Textile Design for both my BA and MA degree at MOME (Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design). After graduating I did all kinds of work, drawing, painting, as well as graphic design work, and I also worked in films. But these jobs were all very casual, and ceramics only came after.

 

 

What does your daily routine look like?

 

FLÓRA: Before my daughter, Vilma was born, Szaffi and I would start our day at the studio at around 10-11am. This was obviously a very relaxed start to the day, but it’s something we’re grateful for, and we chose this time slot for ourselves. I live near the Three Border Mountain (Hármashatár-hegy) Airport, and I like to start my day with a long, mindful walk through the woods with my dog. The community and atmosphere there is great. Once we arrive in the studio, our days are varied between pottery, painting, packing, firing, and unpacking the kiln. We work a lot, but it’s a privilege to chat, listen to music, and create — our days always feel so happy and idyllic. We close the studio at 5pm, and depending on the weather, I’ll go on another long walk with my dog, we’ll meet up with my husband for a beer and then head home. I’d say the most hectic period in our diaries is just before Christmas, but that’s understandable and we’re always so enthusiastic about ensuring everyone gets their presents under the tree in time!

 

SZAFFI: I'm an early riser. I try to start my mornings jogging a few times a week, or I’ll also take a walk along the Three Border Mountain, with my dog Csinszka. After that, I’ll head to work. After work, I either just go home and read, or I have a balcony and I'm there, or I meet with friends.

Our work also depends on what month it is and whether we're preparing for a specific event, collaboration, or fair. When we take part in fairs and markets — we went to one in Vienna not long ago — I’ll spend a lot of time in the studio beforehand, including on the weekends, as we need to have enough ceramics to sell. Thankfully, these periods are balanced out, and in the summer, I get to make time for long weekends at Lake Balaton.

 

 

Let's see what's inside Flóra's SIDE POUCH! 

 

Orange SIDE POUCH - I've had this bag for around 2.5 years, and I’d wanted it for a long time. We had even talked about buying one for each other with Szaffi!

 

Pin - I wouldn't say I collect pins, but I've slowly built up a collection and I like to wear different ones. The one with the bird is from the Hungarian Ornithological and Nature Conservation Society, and the dog is the black dog of English jewelry designer and graphic artist Kaye Blegvad. I'm a big fan of her work.

 

Seed from an Empress Tree - The emphasis is more on the seeds here, than the tree itself. I like being in nature and collecting things from outside, let that be sticks, stones, fruits or flowers. I'm also looking forward to Vilma being old enough for us to be able to start collecting together.

 

Purple Diary - A friend gifted me this diary a few years ago, but I felt it was too beautiful to use on a daily basis. However, when I became pregnant with Vilma, I soon realized it would be the perfect baby journal.

 

Book - I bought this book at the Vitra Design Museum shop in Switzerland, and as the title suggests, it focuses on the little joys of life. The joys of a handshake, a smile, or having a conversation with someone who listens are all summed up in a couple of pages, and for me, these are the important things in life. When I saw this book, my husband simply said “just buy it, this book was made for you,” and I did.

 

Yellow Textile Diaper - Vilma has been a great excuse for me to buy as many pretty textile diapers as possible. These textiles are super versatile, I use them for her to play or lie down on and to protect her from the sun on our walks outside.

 

Fountain Pen - I like to write in my notebooks with nice pens, and this one was a gift from my brother.

 

Ceramic Card Holder - This ceramic is a raw piece, it hasn’t been glazed, and its form was inspired by my poodle. There’s a groove at the top, where you can place a business card or a picture in. I made the first version for myself as an object to hold our cards in and it was out in the SUSU keramika window display. I've had a lot of people order this product since.

 

Leather Case - I've never had a proper purse, as I’m quite particular in how I like to use them, so this is my purse instead. I lived in Indonesia for a year, just over ten years ago — it’s actually how Szaffi and I got to know each other. This case was made by an Indonesian friend of mine and it will always remind me of my year spent there.

 

Swallow Hair Clip - This was a gift I ordered for Szaffi, as she’d always wanted an animal clip and when I saw it, I knew I needed one too. I have really thick hair so it’s not exactly functional, but I like to clip it onto the strap of my YKRA bag.

 

Blue Shopper - I have several of these, and they come in handy when I go shopping. Obviously, I don't want to use plastic bags, and I try to carry them with me when I can.

 

 

And now it's your turn Szaffi!

 

SCOUT - Orange Backpack - I’ve had this bag for around two years, and it’s great for the summer and when I want to pack light, but still have everything I need with me.

 

Baseball Cap - It’s a merch cap from Hangfive Surf & Coffee, a concept store and café in Peniche, Portugal. They have their own branded gear, t-shirts, sweaters, and more, and I bought this a few years ago and it’s been my go-to cap for summer since.

 

Milk and Honey - I recently picked up this book again, by Rupi Kuar, and it’s been nice to read a few poems each week in the mornings or evenings at home.

 

Menthol mint case - It’s my purse!

 

Card Holder - I always take it with me wherever I go. For a long time, I didn’t have a holder, so it makes me happy that I finally have such a beautiful one.

 

Hairclip - It’s the clip Flóra mentioned, it was a gift from her for Christmas.

 

Scarf - This piece is from the collaboration by Enikő Eged and BEBI Loungewear. I found this piece at Makers’ Market, their stall was opposite ours, and I really like the pattern, colors, and the little ants.

 

Notebook - I use this notebook as my diary. Its paper is super high quality so writing in it feels like a treat. I’m not that consistent with my writing, I only journal from time to time, but when I do, it feels good to get everything off my chest or to write about things I want to keep memories of. Sometimes I’ll even jot down my poems or draw sketches as well.

 

Sunscreen - It’s a staple product I use in the summer. I always keep one in my bag.

 

Fountain Pen - I really like to write with fountain pens, they glide so well on paper, and this one is a relatively new purchase.

 

Surf Wax - This is more of a souvenir, I keep it on my shelf at home. Whenever I look at it, it reminds me of the times I’ve spent in Portugal and all the different things you can do in the ocean. I’ve been going back to Portugal for the past seven years for our surf trips — it’s important to have knowledge and experience with the location for this sport, so we like being regulars there.

 

Shell - This shell is also from Portugal.

 

Dog Waste Bag - This is for my dog Csinszka and our long walks in nature. 

 

Running Shoes - When I'm at home, I’ll usually go out running by Three Border Mountain or if it's the weekend then I’ll also do some cross-country running. It charges my batteries mentally, not to mention that I like spending time in the woods.

 

Mug - The mug is a very old SUSU piece. We've had it since we moved to our current studio, and decided to keep this as a memory and hope it functions as a “guardian angel.”

 

Muscle Relaxant Cream - It’s a must-have for runners. This cream is from America and it’s running out fast, so I’ve been using it very sparingly.

 

Perfume - This perfume embodies femininity.

 

Face Creams - These are my facial care products from Greenrococo. One of them is more of a refreshing spray, while the other is a nourishing oil. I like using nice products, but I’m not a 100-step facial routine kind of girl.

 

 

 photos by Botond Wertán