This former advertising art director creates food-inspired ceramics that’s good enough to eat

Afraid to switch careers? These women took the leap – overcoming doubt and fear to find fulfilment in doing what they love. In this three part series, we speak to a race car driver, a palmist and a ceramicist.

Tired of building other people’s brands without anything to call her own, Shervin Low quit her job as an advertising art director in July last year to pursue her passion for ceramics.

“Working with clay is one of the few moments when my mind quietens down, and I’m fully present. There’s a sense of joy and a meditative effect. The alignment comes from knowing that I’m doing work that’s authentically mine,” she says.

As a solo entrepreneur, Shervin releases about 60 to 80 pieces of her playful, food-inspired ceramics every three to four months. From plates that look like croissants and baguettes to garlic-shaped jars, each creation is designed to bring character and personality to one’s living space.

Her products are priced from around $30 to $110, depending on the size and complexity of a piece.

While ceramics may have started as a hobby, she has always been “a maker at heart”, crafting 3-D paper objects among other creative pursuits as a child. She was driven by a need to create something tactile.

“When I discovered ceramics, it just felt like everything clicked: It combined my love for design, my obsession with homewares, and my need for a tactile grounding creative outlet.

“Eventually, I realised that if I didn’t give myself the chance to pursue this fully, I’d always wonder ‘What if?’,” she says.

She started taking weekly classes at local pottery studios in July 2024, learning techniques such as wheel throwing and hand-building. Over time, she slowly built a home studio, spending about $10,000 to purchase the necessary equipment, and continues to take classes to hone her skills.

The loss of a steady pay cheque was daunting, as was the self-doubt over whether people would even like her work. So she started small, releasing limited pieces of her creations online and at craft markets, where the positive reception built her confidence.

She also worried about sustaining her passion once it became a business, but reminded herself to take it one day at a time: “I don’t need to have all the answers now – I just need to take the next small step.”

Her parents were understandably concerned when they learnt of her decision, but they trusted she would find her way. Since then, they have become her biggest cheerleaders – showing up to her events, and proudly sharing her work with friends and relatives.

Another pillar is her husband who, apart from giving emotional support, helped set up her home studio and assisted her at markets. Beyond honing her craft, she has learnt lessons in patience and persistence – from managing pricing and operations to handling marketing on her own.

She is currently working on more diverse collections, with a collaboration with a local illustrator launching just before Christmas.

Her long-term goals are clear: to teach ceramics workshops, expand her collections, and collaborate with other creatives. Ultimately, she hopes to build a sustainable practice that fuels her artistic growth, while connecting her with a community that shares her love for handmade, joyful objects.

To others wanting to pursue their own career paths, Shervin says: “Don’t wait for the perfect time – it doesn’t exist. Start small, experiment, and trust yourself enough to take that first step.”

PHOTOGRAPHY: Angela Guo
ART DIRECTION: Adeline Eng
COORDINATION: Chelsia Tan
HAIR & MAKEUP: Benedict Choo, using NARS