Known for her one-of-a-kind, hand-built pieces and intuitive use of color, Brooklyn-based ceramicist Shino Takeda carries a dynamic yet effortless charm, drawing you into her colorful world of discovery and creation. Originally from Fukuoka, Japan, Shino first came to New York in pursuit of deepening her practice as a dancer.

“I was drawn to the world of Flashdance—but I somehow didn’t realize that movie was set in Pittsburgh, not New York!” she laughs. Yet her life has clearly flourished here, in a city she loves and navigates with a certain sense of ease and trust. “It was a happy mistake that brought me here—and to me, that alone is reason enough to have been a dancer.”

Hand-Crafting in A Fast-Paced City

A hand-building ceramicist who primarily uses the coil method, Shino is immersed in the tactile reality of her craft, shaping one-of-a-kind pieces in her studio in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. True to her analog approach, she is famously minimal in her use of technology—a contrast to the fast-paced, productivity-driven nature of New York City. Yet from the very beginning, Shino felt an strong resonance with the place she now calls home.

“The day after I arrived, I just walked from 23rd Street to 125th Street—and back," she recalls. "I felt so at ease. I loved the city immediately and sensed I would probably be here for a long time."

In the midst of the city’s rush and chaos, Shino seems to move with a rare fluidity, cultivating a life that draws serendipitous encounters with like-minded creatives, businesses, and friends. Her world is not just built by her hands, but also by a dynamic connection to her community.

“I love the pace of this city,” she shares. “I grew up with a rigorous schedule, so I’m accustomed to staying active and carving my own path forward. New York keeps me moving; I like that it's not idle.”

Finding a Path in Ceramics

A ceramicist since 2012, Shino is celebrated today for her intuitive use of color and her delightfully “perfectly imperfect” hand-built forms, ranging from mugs and dinnerware to sculptural decor. Though creativity had always been a natural part of her life, Shino spent a decade working in the restaurant industry before finding her path in ceramics. The turning point came after she lost three close friends within the span of a single year.

“I realized life is very short, and I need to do what I love,” she shares. “It’s not what people expect to hear when they ask what got me into ceramics, but it's important. They gave me a reason to choose it—and every time I talk about it, I’m able to remember and honor them.”

Once she made the decision to pursue ceramics, things moved quickly. The first time she set foot in a clay studio in 2010, she fell in love, fully immersing herself and going full-time in just two years. Her work reflects what she senses and feels in the moment, inspired by the seasons, light, and colors. Growing up in Japan—a culture deeply attuned to the rhythms of nature—helped shape this sensibility, thanks in large part to her mother, who always brought the seasons into their home through decor, food, and traditions.

“I’m not very good at intellectualizing,” she shares. “I’m more attuned to feeling, responding to impressions, capturing a moment.”

An Elevated Everyday Bag — The Tone Nume One Shoulder

In fact, that same intuitive responsiveness is deeply present in her apartment. Surrounded by her ceramics, vibrant artworks by friends, and lush indoor plants—all bathed in natural light from tall duplex windows—the space feels almost animated, alive with the things Shino loves and connects with.

“At this point in life, I want to spend time with things that suit me—things I truly respect,” she shares. When it comes to bags, fashion, or anything she uses daily, Shino makes a point of choosing items made from quality materials that age well—especially when it comes to leather.

She chose TSUCHIYA KABAN’s Tone Nume One Shoulder Bag—a simple, minimalistic design elevated by exceptional craftsmanship and material quality, promising a deepening of character over time and versatile use.

“I also appreciate that each piece is carefully handmade by Japanese craftspeople, because it's what I want to offer too,” she shares.

Her essentials include eyewear by Eva Masaki, a woven Japanese wallet made from grape vines, her favorite red lipstick by Chanel, a trusty pair of studio headphones from Audio-Technica—whose sound quality she swears by—a pouch by Nerolila Botanica, and of course, hand cream—a must-have for the hardworking hands of a ceramicist.

“I like the soft silhouette, and that this design lends itself to everyday use; the naturally textured leather gives me permission to not be too precious with it. It’s perfect,” she notes. The spaciousness is also well-suited as Shino often carries her ceramics, resulting in heavy loads—which the thick, comfortable strap makes much gentler on the shoulders.

Although Shino prefers to work alone, she is naturally social, effortlessly moving between different circles and often hosting dinners in her home. Needless to say, her festive pieces shine on these occasions, becoming part of the joyful atmosphere—the colors of her plates and mugs playing beautifully off the dishes served.

“I’ve started to take interest in furniture, and the idea of going beyond tableware and decorative work into pieces that influence and shape entire spaces,” Shino shares, reflecting on her current ambitions. We look forward to seeing how her work will continue to extend beyond the table—perhaps the next time we visit.