When you enter the studio, you’re immediately struck by the beautiful atmosphere. The room is flooded with light, lined with wonderfully timeless ceramic and porcelain designs, and you can look out onto the bustling Papieri Platz. «The location inspires us. We sit at the table, look out the window and ideas pop up. The square here is already very busy.» Tonja and Elena from Keramik Loft want to take handicrafts to a new level, away from the memories of pottery classes at school and toward modern, intricate artisanship – as contemporary and urban as the new Papieri development itself. And that’s precisely why the location is so perfect. «Papieri exudes modern, urban vibes. This suits us and our vision, and it’s exactly what we were looking for», says Tonja. Coincidentally, she held her very first ceramics workshop for employees of the former paper factory at a team event – 20 years ago. As a result, she has a special connection with Papieri.

«The Papieri exudes modern urbanity. That suits us and our vision; that's exactly what we were looking for.»

Tonja Amstad and Elena Gilli

The idea to start Keramik Loft came about much more recently than Tonja’s first Papieri experience: it was only a year ago that the two women attended a ceramics workshop in Copenhagen and decided to join forces. Tonja and Elena bring together two generations, and they motivate and inspire each other. «Our interactions are very enriching, and we complement each other perfectly in various regards. And not only do we represent different generations, we also appeal to customers from different age groups, which is really great», says Tonja.

«We represent two generations and address different age groups, which is very casual.»

During various courses, participants can try their hand at wheel throwing or hand building, while learning how to apply different techniques and create different designs. There are taster sessions that last an evening, as well as workshops that span several weeks for a more in-depth insight into the craft. After completing a basic course, you can also book yourself a spot at the wheel and use the equipment independently. Tonja and Elena are always on hand to advise and support the artists with their projects.

«Our customers want an escape from everyday; they want to ground and center themselves for a moment. A ceramics workshop is perfect for this.»

«Our customers want an escape from everyday life; they want to ground an center themselves for a moment. A ceramics workshop is perfect for this», says Elena. Even if wheel throwing is not as easy and meditative as it looks at first, the customers are always happy that they can create something beautiful to take home and use. «Highs and lows are part of it when you’re first starting out. We’re here to take the pressure off course participants and to develop creative ideas with them.»

«We’re here to take the pressure off course participants and to develop creative ideas with them», explains Elena. Tonja and Elena have spent many hours learning and practicing the craft of ceramics themselves, and have continued their education by taking various courses – until they became experts. In addition to the range of courses they offer, they also make individual pieces and complete tableware sets to order according to customers’ specific wishes. «We make our own kitchenware, of course. Plates, cups, bowls... you name it. This is what we have to do in order to test our products ourselves. The dishes first have to go through the dishwasher every day for over a year; that way, we can be absolutely certain that the quality is good. We’ve acquired a feel for it by now», says Tonja. The works of art are characterized by plenty of attention to detail and precision, and whet the appetite for ceramics and porcelain.  

The premises at Papieri-Platz 1 comprises not only a course room, but also a studio, gallery and store. «We merged our own studios and now produce for our labels Gilli Ceramics and Ton-ja here at Keramik Loft», says Elena. 

«In the papieri neighbourhood, everyone is so open and motivated. There is real euphoria in the air. This atmosphere here is a real pleasure.»

Tonja and Elena want to develop and grow with Papieri. «It’s great to be a part of something new and pick up that energy. We are constantly meeting new people on the site and feel a lot of verve. Everyone is so open and motivated; there’s a real sense of euphoria in the air. The atmosphere here is a real pleasure«, both of them say.

Tonja and Elena's goal for Keramik Loft is to become the largest, best-known and most modern studio for ceramic design in Central Switzerland. A new era for Papieri starts now – and Keramik Loft is part of it. Have we piqued your interest? The courses have only recently started and are being continuously expanded. You can find inspiration and interesting facts about Keramik Loft on thewebsite an on Instagram.