Say hello.

I’m a full time ceramic artist and also teach workshops to all ages. I’m very passionate about clay and color. I love what I do and work in my studio almost everyday. My ceramics hover between functional pieces and aesthetic sculptures. I use Nerikomi, a technique with colored clay, to create vibrant and chaotic patterns. Each piece is handbuilt and made start to finish. I don’t use a wheel as I prefer to hand sculpt. Process is important to my work, as each design is morphed and abstracted through my actions of stretching and sculpting. This can only be done by hand and this element of surprise and interaction with my materials brings me so much joy.

Please share a few sentences about what's inspiring you and your creative mindset right now – what's on your mind!

I start the day with an early morning beach walk with my dog, Zoe. We check the surf together and the quiet moments with the ocean set my day. My surroundings have always inspired me, from the textures of peeling paint and graffiti in New York to the colors of the California coast. Surf culture has definitely played a roll in my color work the past few years. Glossy vibrant surfboards, swimwear, and sunsets, have made their mark on me. Music plays a big roll in creation at the studio, a fun mix of tunes keeps me alive and dancing as I make!

Where do you live?

San Diego, California.

Describe where you create?

I work in a tiny space in front of a big bright window. It’s 50 square feet, with lots of shelves, a large table, and packed to the brim with clay and materials. There’s always music playing and my dog at my side.

Favorite color?

Purple hands down!

Favorite Film?

Pee Wee’s Big Adventure

💛 I am a huge Lydia Cardos fan and have been for over 20 years now. I am also a big fan of her work and have been watching her craft evolve so beautifully ever since. 💛

We met when she had just graduated high school, shout out to Boston Arts Academy, and was my mentee interning at Korn Design. That summer she was part of the inaugural cohort of creative students in a program I had founded called Youth Design, a transformative ‘Platform for Change’ program – creating professional pathways, mentoring, fostering social impact, and promoting equity and opportunity in the creative economy.

Back then Lydia’s primary creative focus was photography. She went on to get her BFA in photography at the School of Visual Arts in NYC. We kept in touch. Sometimes she would come out and join me on photoshoots when I was working in New York. She lived in NY for a while after college, then adventured her way out to the west coast working in a variety of creative roles and tapping into her visual zest in new ways. It was out by the sea and under the sun that Lydia leaned into her love of ceramics and has centered her work here ever since. She’s been profiled by ETSY in their “Meet The Makers” series, and her work was showcased in the T The New York Times Style Magazine in 2025 Holiday Gift Guide.

Lydia brings her smart and bold approach to guide her work at each turn – building in an emotional dimension to all that she touches – through her distinct use of color, wit, and unique style. I feel lucky to surround myself with her creative energy – I highly recommend checking out her work and bringing in some Lydia light to your world.

Learn more about Lydia Kardos’ work here on Instagram: lydiakardos

You can also find Lydia’s work available on Etsy here: LydiaKardosStudio

Captions clockwise from top:
> Lydia in her studio
> A selection of her Nerikomi Signature Series:
Mugs & Serving Bowls
> Lydia taking in the surf. Photo: Jenny Coffey
> Lydia in her San Diego ceramics studio
> Lydia and Denise on location in NYC, 2012