Our team

My name is Denise Kratzer and I have a degree in business administration and event marketing. Since 2016, I completely fell in love with clay.

As the founder of DB - Pottery Studio GmbHo, I have not only turned the studio into a creative centre, but also created a platform to promote art and craft in their community. I regularly organise exhibitions and events to showcase the work of my members and other local artists and to promote the appreciation of ceramic art.

Natascha Madeiski, Originally from Italy, she holds a Master's degree in Architecture. She taught as an architecture lecturer at several universities in England, where she first came into contact with the world of ceramics in 2010 and subsequently acquired her years of experience with ceramics autodidactically.

Natascha is responsible for our course and cultural program and also teaches some of our courses. 

Sam Cavalcanti is a marketing professional who is also a passionate craftswoman. She discovered her passion for applied arts in ceramics at an early age. Sam takes great joy in sharing her creative spirit, teaching and inspiring others. When she is not creating beautiful works, she enjoys spending time with her dog and cat. 

Her name is Yolanda Blumenthal. Originally working as a psychologist, she began looking for a creative outlet a few years ago – and found it in ceramics. What started as a hobby quickly turned into a true passion, which she eventually made her profession. Since then, she hasn't been able to keep her hands off the clay. Yolanda especially loves bold, colorful pieces that are both functional and stylish. 

Her name is Ljubica Jovic. She worked as a graphic designer and loves to create beautiful things. She discovered her love of clay in her home town of Belgrade. Her creations all speak for themselves. With great attention to detail.

Melissa, our former intern at the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK) specialising in Art Education, is now independently running the course that she designed herself. With her calm and engaging manner, she succeeds in creating a pleasant and inspiring learning atmosphere. Melissa impresses with her empathetic and supportive approach, which is appreciated by both colleagues and course participants alike.

For over 20 years, I've been fascinated by the world of ceramics. After various courses and workshops both in Switzerland and abroad, I fulfilled my dream of having my own studio in Oetwil an der Limmat. In my studio, I primarily work on vases and creating my own glazes. Besides my work in the studio, I love sharing my knowledge in workshops.

Thomas Legleroriginally Glarner, was born in Italy and has a Master's degree in architecture, which opened up the world of materials to him. Working as an architect, he is interested in materials in general and has been immersing himself in the world of ceramics for some time.

He organises the crash courses every Sunday and Wednesday in German.

Vanessa says about pottery:
"Pottery is my sanctuary. It grounds me, teaches patience and focus, and shows how important it is to live in the moment—especially in our hectic world."

Her name is Anja Mosimann. She was born in Bern and has a master's degree in marketing. She discovered her passion for pottery six years ago in New York City. She particularly enjoys turning large vases and bowls and emphasises a simple and minimalist design.

Her name is Teresa and she works as an aquatic ecologist for the canton of Obwalden, but spends a considerable amount of her free time in the studio behind the potter's wheel. She attaches great importance to her technique and enjoys attending courses with established ceramists to develop her skills and learn new ones. We have now been able to win Teresa over for us. She will lead the taster courses

Her work with ceramics is characterized by a particular fascination with the tactile qualities of clay. She enjoys working with irregular forms and experimenting with clay mixtures that create vibrant, multi-layered textures. Through glazes, she deliberately intensifies the contrast between smooth and rough surfaces, a tension that significantly shapes her work.

Texture and form are central to her practice. Alongside exploring the tactile qualities of the material, she playfully develops new forms and color combinations. This results in objects that awaken curiosity and combine function with artistic expression.

Our young helpers are dedicated students who work in the pottery studio to ensure it remains operational and well-organized. They mainly oversee the recycling and ensure that the studio generates as little waste as possible.