My name is Laura Martens and I was born in the south of the Netherlands, close to the river Maas.
During summer, my parents and I could often be found by the water, on the water, or even swimming in it.
To this day, the Maas still feels a little like home to me.
One of my very first memories is discovering natural clay on a small beach along the river. I was instantly fascinated by it: soft, pure, and endlessly shapeable. From that moment on, I was completely hooked.
My love for clay started at a very young age
— and only continued to grow over the years.
Whenever I got to organize a birthday party as a child,
I already knew exactly what I wanted: a pottery party. While others chose indoor playgrounds or sleepovers,
I loved spending my time being creative with clay.
Creativity runs in the family. My father used to sculpt clay portraits, and I believe that’s where I inherited my creative love for the craft.
MEET LAURA
FOUNDER OF LAULABEL
During my time at the HKU University of the Arts Utrecht, where I studied Product Design, I reconnected with the incredible material that had fascinated me since childhood: clay. And honestly? I fell in love with it all over again.
Before long, I was learning the finer details of the craft and experimenting with the endless possibilities of ceramics.
For my graduation project, I explored the beauty of unpredictability within the ceramic production process. Using a self-built machine, I combined different clay colors to create unique patterns — making every single piece completely one of a kind.
This became the beginning of my very first official collection: Unique Ceramics.After graduating from HKU, I returned to the same academy as an instructor in the ceramics workshop — the very place where my own journey truly took shape.
I currently work there part-time, guiding students in creating their own ceramic pieces and sharing the passion for craftsmanship that continues to inspire me every day.
