Hi everyone! My name is Bola Akilo, and I am the founder, Creative Director, and maker behind Oyin Ceramics. The word "Oyin" comes from my middle name. "Oyin" means honey in Yoruba ( the Nigerian tribe where I am from ), hence my brand logo being a honey spool. If you were to purchase an item from me, you'll find at the bottom of all my pieces a honey spool stamped into the clay. I think it's so fun!
I first started pottery around 2 years ago. I studied abroad for a semester at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro for architecture and took a ceramics class to fill up credits. I mostly did hand building while I was there and around the end of the semester, was when I started to learn how to wheel throw. After studying abroad, I went into my 3rd year of university, and I didn’t really have time to practice my craft due to a lot of uni deadlines. During the second semester of my third year, I decided it's either now or never, so I took a wheel throwing tutorial in my uni’s ceramics facilities and kept practicing ( a bit more than I should have, as I had an end of year project due ). After I graduated, I then took a beginners course at Sele School, Hertford which occurred weekly for a school term. The course was catered for beginners who would handbuild which was great as I was the only one using the wheel. This was a great opportunity for anyone who wants to get into ceramics, and I really recommend it; however, I knew that as I practiced, I wanted to make more. I then did a work exchange from January to April at Weston Cottage Pottery, Hertfordshire, and then moved to Dalton Clay, North London, from April which is when I started my business. I had my first market at the Hertfordshire County Show where I was a finalist and sold over half of my inventory! I have another market at Hinchingbrooke market on the 14/06/26 incase anyone is interested in any of my products or just wants to come and support and say hi!
I’m really excited to announce that at the end of June, I will be going to Denmark to do a ceramics internship for 2 months. I will be posting and documenting my journey, so be sure to follow me on my social media and my YouTube where I will be vlogging!