During a long, tedious engineering lecture at Lund University a year ago, Sara found herself daydreaming about what to do after school. She felt it was time to try something new — something creative. That’s when the idea of pottery came to mind.

She eventually bought a second-hand pottery wheel, an antique model that dates back in history, one where you have to kick the wheel to keep it spinning. "I got cramps in my leg, and my hands were flying all over the place — not exactly ideal when you need a steady grip on the clay," she recalls laughing. The feeling and creativity of pottery really captured her interest, and during Christmas that same year, she received an electric one as a gift.

"I got cramps in my leg, and my hands were flying all over the place — not exactly ideal when you need a steady grip on the clay."

The name "Labbet Ceramics" holds the story of where it all began for real. The apartment located at Laboratoriegatan in Lund was more than just a roof over her head during her study period. “In my apartment, which we called 'Labbet,' I always invited my friends over. We’d cook dinner and hang out often; it became a gathering spot for us," she says. It was also there, either in the basement or the kitchen, that she did her pottery.

Sara isn’t alone during our conversation. Her dog, Sally — who even has her own Instagram account, @sallyboocockerpoo — pops up on the screen with her fluffy, long black fur and tongue hanging out. Sally is also the inspiration behind one of Sara’s products, a personalized dog bowl. "Of course, my Sally needed a pretty dog bowl, so that’s how I started creating
them," she says.

"Of course, my Sally needed a pretty dog bowl, so that’s how I started creating them."

“Bubblisarna,” as Sara has named them, are extremely eye-pleasing and cute cups that come in pastel shades like peach, pistachio, and sea blue. They have quickly become her signature creation. “You mean this one?” Sara says, holding up the cup she’s drinking coffee from. This particular "Bubblis" is white with small hand-painted flowers. “I used the laser cutter at school to make a mold with the distinct shape of three bubbles. It turned out to be a success,” Sara explains.

  • The bubbly cups, or "Bubblisarna"

After a semester abroad in Lisbon, a thesis project in South Africa, and earning her engineering degree, Sara can finally dedicate more time to her ceramics. “I’ve turned my parents' extra storage room into my studio, so I’m only about four meters from the front door. I’m not complaining,” she says with a smile. She even gives me a live tour of the studio via video.

The first thing you notice is the gleaming kiln. Shelves line the walls from floor to ceiling, filled with ceramic pieces in various stages of completion. On the bottom shelf, there’s a spot reserved for Sally. “Sally is my biggest supporter and loves keeping me company in the studio,” Sara adds.

“I’ve turned my parents' extra storage room into my studio, so I’m only about four meters from the front door. I’m not complaining.”

In the studio, Sara spends days and nights crafting her ceramics, but in between, she faces the sea, standing on a board and letting the wind carry her forward through kitesurfing. “It takes a while before you can control the clay — it pushes you in different directions, just like the kite,” Sara explains. Patience is something you really need. “You can't explain it in words; you have to feel it.” Believe it or not, kitesurfing and ceramics have a lot in common.

“It takes a while before you can control the clay — it pushes you in different directions, just like the kite.”

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Author Johanna Karlqvist