Hi everyone, my name is Ariel, and I’m a ceramic artist working with sculptures, functional ware, and artistic pieces inspired by sea creatures and the nature around me. I’m now in a moment of deep exploration, fascinated by the textures and materials I find in my surroundings. Living in the middle of the rainforest, I dream of incorporating natural rocks, ashes, and elements I collect on my walks directly into my work.

To safely test and experiment with these materials — again and again, as ceramics requires — I need a kiln at home.Right now, I’m facing a big obstacle: I don’t have my own kiln.

To fire my pieces, I currently have to travel long distances on very bad roads, carrying fragile sculptures that often break along the way. It’s incredibly stressful, time-consuming, and heartbreaking to lose work that took days or weeks to create. Not having a kiln at home also means:

-I can’t test glazes or clay bodies, which stops me from growing and improving my work

-I can’t produce consistently

-Many of my projects get delayed for months

-I can’t safely experiment, since the kiln I use belongs to someone else

-I feel stuck in a process that should be helping me move forward

Having my own kiln would completely transform my work and my life.

With it, I could:

-Fire my pieces at home, safely and consistently

-Continue and finish projects that have been stuck for months

-Grow and scale up my sculptures and artistic ideas

-Become more ambitious in my creative practice

-Explore the natural materials I find around me in a safe, reliable way

-And importantly, start giving classes, which will help me financially and allow me to share what I love with others

Why is the kiln so expensive?

Here in Brazil, the best kilns available are unfortunately imported ones. After a lot of research, I chose an American kiln from the brand Skutt because they have excellent support and a great team here in Brazil, along with the highest quality materials and technology. This kiln will have a long working life, offer consistent, reliable firings, and allow me to safely test new materials without risking my pieces — or myself.

Importing such a large, specialized tool to my home — a small town in the mountains — is extremely costly, but this decision was made thoughtfully and with the long term in mind.

My goal is to raise 13,000 euros to bring this kiln home and finally work with freedom, safety, and creativity.

This kiln would be more than a tool — it would be the foundation that lets me continue my ceramic journey without fear of breaking pieces, losing time, or holding myself back. It would give me independence, stability, and the freedom to truly grow as an artist.

If you feel called to support, in any amount, I would be deeply grateful, specially because of the currency, any cent makes a difference.

Thank you for helping me keep creating, keep dreaming, and keep moving forward.

— Ariel