Tamiko Claire: Waterwoman, Ceramicist, Creator :Living with intention through surf, clay, and connection

Tamiko Claire is a ceramicist from Nuʻuanu, Honolulu, Hawai'i. She found her love for clay as a teen and furthered her study of the practice while living and modeling in Japan and New York from the age of 18. Rooting back home on Oʻahu in 2019, she established her craft as a business and dove deeper into surfing as a lifestyle. Tamiko continues to develop her style and love of ceramics (and surfing) through moments in nature and culture--past, present and future. Her studio, Tamiko Claire Stoneware, offers heart-filled, handmade stoneware with clean lines and earthy roots. Each piece is made with intention, meant to live on with generations to come.

Claudia Lebenthal [CL]: Tell us about your life on the water. Life as a waterwoman.

Tamiko Claire [TC]: I grew up living in the water, body surfing and body boarding. In high school, I started surfing and paddling. The ocean is a special place however you experience it.

CL: But you had to put that life on hold when you began modeling.

TC: I got scouted and moved to Tokyo for modeling when I was 18. “You’re a bit too tan, too muscular, too sporty of a body”, I was told. But I committed. My 6 years in Japan were very different from Hawaii. I didn’t go to the beach and I had to stay out of the sun when I came home. I didn’t feel like I was living genuinely. I moved back home right before the pandemic. I just wanted to surf and be in the ocean. Just live. I really started getting into surfing as lifestyle at age 28. Thats when I really fell in love with it. It was very freeing. Calm joy. My connection has been spiritual.

CL: How did you and Austin become friends?

TC: I know Austin from modeling and shooting together, but we know each other and of each other since high school. He’s someone of the same age and in the same industry in Hawaii. We’re very connected. We have similar energy.

CL: Tell us about your ceramics.

TC: Ceramics were my elective in high school for four years. When I got to Japan I really missed it. I missed the act of being on the wheel. It’s such a grounding hobby and craft. I found a small studio in Tokyo I could go to on my days off. Working with the clays from different parts of Japan really opened my eyes up to the different types, different colors, different techniques. When I moved to New York after Tokyo, I found a studio in Williamsburg. I would go very early in the morning and often be there by myself. I could experiment and escape.

CL: When did you decide to turn it into a business? (tamikoclaire.com)

TC: Once I moved home to Hawaii, I really started to pursue it. I started on Instagram and then set up at the Sunshine People Market in Honolulu. There I met the owners of Milo Surf Camp coffee and started working with their shop. I had a retail shelf with them, and did all the plates and cups for their cafe. I was so grateful because they allowed me to create with their shop in mind. It was the first time being in a space seeing people, using them. I’ve done soap dishes for one of the hotels in Waikiki. I really enjoying working with other establishments, creating something special through ceramics for their space. Translating them into clay. It’s amazing that people trust me with that.

CL: What are your favorite Costa Brazil products?

TC: Being in Hawaii, in salt water every day, what it does to your skin and hair you need to hydrate.. Even after doing ceramics my skin can get really dry. Clay takes everything out. The body oil is great.

I love the Shampoo and conditioner. The Shampoo in particular. The smell and feel of it. And the body oil. It smells so good too.

I think cleansing is really important but not stripping. We are always wearing sunscreen, especially when surfing and it’s a little thicker. I like to really cleanse. gentle face wash. I like using oils on my skin especially after surfing.

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