For many, pottery is a craft introduced in the most romantic—or steamy—way. Who could forget Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze’s iconic scene in the 1990 movie Ghost? And surely, many of us have seen those dreamy guys on TikTok creating their own pieces with clay. But the thing is, pottery is one of the oldest human inventions, and over time, its purpose has gone beyond function. It has become a way for people to channel their passion, take their minds off things, and simply be creative, making it a truly therapeutic craft.
One person who can attest to this is Marita Galvez. Previously working for a tech company in Singapore, she used to thrive in the fast-paced life. But when the pandemic struck in 2020, she paused to re-evaluate the trajectory of her life and rediscovered pottery. As we all know, navigating life during the pandemic often meant going online for essentials and focusing on the basics. This made fulfilling Marita’s passion for pottery particularly challenging.
“When I got into pottery and wanted to practice more, I couldn’t find a studio that fit my very busy schedule for firing my works,” Marita tells Style Weekend. “It was hard to book slots; no one had a website, and you had to beg for space in a kiln. There was no assurance of when I could get my pieces or if I could get them at all. There was a huge gap in service-level that I knew I could address with my background. It was very difficult to practice pottery, and I wanted to make it more accessible—especially for someone like me, who had a million other hyper-fixations.”
And help everyone she did. In 2021, Marita established Bumi and Ashe, crafting ceramics in her two-bedroom condo. Soon, she was able to share her love for pottery through beginner-friendly classes hosted in her studio at Cubao Expo and partnerships with other brands.
“Our studio in Cubao Expo is the largest in Manila, with a capacity to host up to 50 people,” Marita muses. “It’s a versatile space that can be rented for special events, including private pottery classes, birthdays, bachelorette parties, and more, making it a perfect venue for creative and unique celebrations.”
Let your hands tell the story
For Marita, pottery merges science and creativity. Beyond exploring new shapes, techniques, and materials, it also opens people’s eyes to their emotions and how they manage challenges. Over the years, her pride has been in teaching something highly technical and ensuring that anyone—regardless of age or background—can understand it.
“Pottery is the most humbling experience. They say it's therapeutic, and I couldn’t agree more. It teaches you so much about yourself—how you respond to stress and frustration. It teaches you to let go,” she explains. “It’s also very technical, and as a very scientific person, it gives me so much pleasure to learn something new every single day.”
Attending one of Bumi and Ashe’s pottery workshops is an experience that lasts for weeks. The class itself takes two to three hours, with all materials provided so students can focus solely on their creations. Once the students finish, their pieces undergo a drying process to ensure all moisture is removed. They are then fired twice and glazed to make them food-safe. The entire process takes about six weeks, during which the Bumi and Ashe team handles everything for the students.
Apart from pottery, Bumi and Ashe offers other crafts for people to explore. First is Rug Tufting, a three-hour workshop where participants can design and create their own rugs using high-quality rug yarn. The second is Silver Clay Jewelry, a first in Manila. This class allows participants to craft charms, pendants, or jewelry pieces using silver clay, which transforms into 99.9 percent silver once fired. Unlike pottery, these pieces can be taken home the same day.
“Our mission has always been to offer fun, creative, and one-of-a-kind experiences,” Marita says. “This inspired us to expand into Rug Tufting and Silver Clay Jewelry workshops, bringing participants a fresh and unique way to explore their creativity.”
“Art is for everyone! You don’t need any prior experience to join our workshops. All you need is an open mind, a creative spirit, and a willingness to get a little messy,” she adds. “It’s a fun, therapeutic experience that’s perfect for anyone ready to try something new and embrace the joy of creating.”
#StyleWeekend experience
Spending a day doing pottery with Bumi and Ashe is undoubtedly a fantastic way to spend your weekend. If you’re planning a day at their Cubao Expo studio, Marita also recommends exploring the area’s food scene, with Habanero as her top pick.
“They deserve all the hype. I don’t think I’ve recommended it enough,” she says. “Some students even bring us food to say thank you for the wonderful recommendation.”
If you’re attending their classes in Makati City, Marita suggests dining at Toyo Eatery and Scratch.
“I’m a big foodie. There’s a very fine line between food and ceramics. I love Toyo Eatery for special occasions. (No bias at all), even if we made some of their ceramics,” Marita laughs. “I also love supporting self-made entrepreneurs like Scratch. They’re in Comuna Makati and make the best sourdough in Manila.”
To learn more about Bumi and Ashe and stay updated on their workshops, visit @bumi.and.ashe on Instagram.
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