Marjoke De Heer

Ceramicist

©Yuta Studio Photography

Perfectly imperfect everyday tableware

Marjoke creates ceramic vases and tableware favoured by top chefs
She makes her own glazes by observing and understanding raw materials
Her tableware has been featured in culinary publications

With roots in creative social work and a lifelong passion for working with her hands, Marjoke De Heer discovered clay by chance, after following a workshop with master potter Ina Bakker. "The connection to the material was instant," she says. Today, Marjoke crafts everything from one-of-a-kind tableware and vases to meaningful memory stones. She uses stoneware, porcelain and wild clay that she digs up herself to make pieces that reflect her love for nature. “In my serene, sturdy and perfectly imperfect pieces, you can still see the earth and the unexpected. I love organic shapes, shades of white, lots of freckles and speckles, and the magical fusion of the fire in my kiln,” Marjoke says. She lives and works in a dike house on the edge of Amsterdam-Noord. At her shop, Marjoke welcomes visitors from near and far to experience her world.

Interview

©Angela Baas

©Yuta Studio Photography

How do you make your glazes?: I have learned to make glazes the way a chef makes a good sauce – by understanding the ingredients. A good glaze must have elements from three groups: bones, flesh and blood. If you have all three in the right composition, the glaze is balanced. This is an ancient concept. I have a good understanding of how raw materials behave under high temperatures and in combination with each other.
How did your work get featured in food publications?: Chefs found me! They liked my plates and tableware. Ceramics and food are a perfect match – great chefs want great plates. I am lucky they appreciate my work, and their food looks beautiful on my pieces. It is truly mutual. When food is served on a beautiful plate, it becomes an inspiration for daily life.
Where do you get your inspiration?: I love walking along coastlines. There is something special happening where the land meets the sea. You can see all the forces of the elements at work that have shaped the rocks, sand and landscape. I find a lot of inspiration there in my free time. I love the English and Irish coasts, the northern coast of Brittany and the Dutch coast. I search for all kinds of shapes at the beach.
What are some highlights from your journey as a ceramicist?: In 2024, I celebrated 30 years of my ceramics shop and kiln. At the same time, one of my bowls was featured on the cover of Donna Hay’s cookbook. I have experienced many highlights over the years, but when someone tells me they drink their coffee from my cup every morning, I find it incredibly special.

Marjoke De Heer is an expert artisan: she began her career in 1994