Annya Bandstra is an international ceramic artist, educator, and founder of The Clay House, whose work is shaped by a life lived across cultures and a profound respect for traditional craftsmanship. Having spent her formative years in the Philippines before building an international career that took her to Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Vietnam, Spain, Panama, and now Brazil, and having traveled to more than 100 countries, she draws inspiration from the landscapes, traditions, and people she has encountered around the world.

Her relationship with clay began long before she ever stepped into a pottery studio. Some of her earliest memories are of her grandparents’ farm in the Philippines, where handmade earthenware was part of everyday life. Meals were prepared over a wood-fired stove in a traditional palayok, the iconic reddish-orange earthenware cooking pot that has been used in Filipino homes for generations. Drinking water was kept cool in a banga, while rice, grains, and preserved foods were stored in tapayan and burnay jars. The kitchen was filled with handmade clay bowls, serving dishes, and traditional cookware, including the kawa, each vessel serving a practical purpose while quietly reflecting generations of Filipino craftsmanship.

At the time, these beautiful clay objects were simply part of daily life. Looking back, Annya realizes they were her first introduction to ceramics. They taught her that pottery is far more than functional—it carries stories of family, culture, tradition, and home. Those early experiences planted the seeds of a lifelong appreciation for clay that would later shape her artistic journey.

After graduating with a degree in Computer Science, Annya began an international career that allowed her to live and work across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and Latin America. Each place added a new perspective and deepened her appreciation for the ways different cultures express themselves through ceramics.

While living in Aqaba, Jordan, she became captivated by the country’s vibrant ceramic traditions, known for their rich colours and intricate decorative patterns. Her neighbour, Maja, was a ceramic artist with a studio at her home, and watching her transform clay into beautiful handmade pieces offered Annya her first glimpse into the life of a working potter. Without realizing it, another seed had been planted.

In 2017, while living in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, a chance visit to a small pottery studio on a rainy afternoon became the turning point that transformed childhood memories into a lifelong vocation. What began as a beginner’s hand-building class quickly evolved into a full apprenticeship and an enduring dedication to the ceramic arts.

Under the guidance of Vietnamese Master Potter Mr. Dat Nguyen, Annya immersed herself in wheel throwing, glazing, and traditional firing techniques including raku, pit firing, and saggar firing. Her studies later took her to Japan, where she trained under third-generation potter Sensei Kato Hiroshige, deepening her understanding of craftsmanship, discipline, and the philosophy that underpins Japanese ceramics.

Her education has continued through workshops and residencies across China, Nepal, India, Taiwan, Indonesia, the Netherlands, and Spain, allowing her to learn from master artisans and explore diverse ceramic traditions from around the world. Every country has expanded her artistic language while reinforcing her belief that clay is one of humanity’s oldest and most universal forms of cultural expression.

Today, Annya’s work is a dialogue between cultures. She blends traditional techniques with contemporary design, creating ceramics that celebrate texture, movement, colour, and the beauty of imperfection. Whether inspired by the humble palayok of her childhood, the colourful pottery of Jordan, the refined traditions of Japan, the rich ceramic heritage of Vietnam, or the artistic influences she encountered while living in Spain, each piece she creates carries traces of the places and people who have shaped her journey.

Driven by a desire to make ceramics accessible to everyone, Annya founded The Clay House, a creative studio dedicated to teaching, artistic exploration, and the therapeutic benefits of working with clay. Through workshops, artist residencies, community projects, and international collaborations, she encourages people to slow down, reconnect with their creativity, and discover the joy of making something with their own hands.

For Annya, pottery is far more than an art form—it is a universal language that transcends borders. Her work celebrates the belief that although every culture has its own ceramic traditions, clay has always connected people through nourishment, craftsmanship, storytelling, and community. Through every piece she creates, she hopes to honour these traditions while inspiring others to appreciate the timeless beauty and cultural significance of handmade ceramics