ISAN Pottery & Jewellery

 

At the Isan Pottery center in Nongkhai, men and women from surrounding villages use their traditional knowledge of pottery design and production, together with contemporary training to produce distinctive pieces of all shapes and sizes. At the centre they are assured of fair pay and great working conditions, along with an opportunity to foster their natural creativity.

 

In 1981 the Good Shepherd Sisters came to Nongkhai. Working at first in the border camps, they had a good understanding of the local people. Also, having worked in Bangkok since 1965 with the women who had migrated to the city from the rural areas, they understood the pressures on rural families in trying to satisfy their most basic needs.

 

It was clear to the Sisters that these people, disadvantaged in so many ways, had no choices available to them. Lacking an education or training of any sort, employment opportunities were limited.

 

So the Sisters, working with the Isan people, implemented development projects which have to this day, been a source of empowerment, improving the quality of life for all involved.

 

In 1998 a pottery project was developed to expand the work available in the area to include local men as the Sisters had traditionally worked exclusively with women. The people of the Isan region have a tradition of making pottery from local clay. While some modern training was given to supplement the villagers existing skills and knowledge, the decision was made to produce more traditional style products, rather than modern ceramics.

 

Today the Isan Pottery project provides the fertile soil for creativity to flourish. Young Artisans are constantly designing beautiful, sometimes wacky products for lovers of hand made pottery, both local and international.

 

 

Udornsatit is currently the main teacher of Isan Pottery, starting as a trainee with the project during its conception in 1998. His daily creations are truly inspired. Udornsatit worked with SRP to design our beautiful Ganesh Pot.

 

“Before I came I had no skill in making pottery… After a year, I found out that it was my favorite work… I am happy with my job, with the experience I have gained and with the support I have been given. Together, we want to develop both the quality of the production and the ability of the staff, workers and new trainees. Isan Pottery has many designs to present to the market and we thank all those who sell on our behalf and the customers who choose to purchase our work.”

 

 

Udornsatit