Many of us know of Jenggala Ceramics, a good example of an original ‘Artisan of Bali’ who commenced working from a small shed in the Batujimbar Estate, Sanur, many years ago & now has a huge organization based in Jimbaran, exporting ceramic product to the world. Then there is the fashion savvy high-end designer, Gaya Ceramics & Design who work with one-off commissions for the luxe market (hotels, resorts, villas & plush stores) & have that enviable Italian style & flair for their chosen craft. They have also created several workshops, ceramic retreats & residentials for enthusiasts to attend on a regular basis.
And now Kevala , which has become a real consumer option, offering stylish, colorful quality product for both retail & the export market. If anyone is about to embark on acquiring a new set of dinnerware for their home, a chef ready to customize an individual line of product for a new hotel restaurant or villa resort, then bet you, Kevala will meet your requirements & more!
Kevala Ceramics: stylish shapes made with creative spirit!
It all started back when Bali Moon Ceramics was one company, but as often the case, partners move apart & go their separate ways, Wendy was a partner & kept the ceramic side of the business, and the others moved in various directions.
So, three years on & Wendy Thomas (I call her, the Chairwoman of the Board) has moved fast forward, keeping the original site of the company, developed the business, expanded the site & changed the name to Kevala, growing her ‘empire’ with a fierce passion that many a Northerner from England can demonstrate.
What one can make with a ball of clay, and how different that piece can be from another ceramic brand is all in the work of the owner and art itself.
Kevala has a well organized production facility, from the mixing of clay (using their own selected materials from a variety of sources) to the making & shaping of the desired piece, down to the colors and glazing. (some commercial dyes are used from natural materials).
The place ‘hums’ with a staff of 55, dressed in uniform of citrus green, they work in a bright & happy environment, with excellent facilities, to a well defined procedure for OH&S.
Overall, the Kevala style exudes fresh & contemporary, modern day functional shapes that utilize the color palette to the maximum. Marvelous sunshine colors, clear gelato shades with some depth, pieces that feature a point of difference, like the stylish handle on a coffee cup to an all over pattern for a jug. And, with such great colors available, don’t be a bore, mix them all up, makes for a fun dinnertime! Natural creams work well with ochre & brown that sport etched detail of pattern, a matt dinner set in brown with a partial burnt orange glaze, to the ‘starfish design collection’ in bright citrus with cobalt blue.
There are chunky Chinese style ginger pots, tactile & squashy looking vases, to the very striking bold matt black & cream design pieces of ‘the African objets’. And like all good ceramic operators, they just love bathroom accessories! atomizers, burners & soap dishes, there’s a container for every occasion.
All product is showcased on custom built shelving (a fabulous citrus shade) where one can stand back & admire the sculptural forms of the product, which is what one would call ‘very commercial’ it’s user friendly, modish & fashionable. And the smart businesswoman that Madam Chairwoman is, employs the ‘classic text book approach’ to marketing her own Kevala product, a rite that she performs very well indeed, Kevala is now a brand name on everyone’s lips!
Bright & bold signage is well placed out on the ByPass providing directions to Kevala. Apart from the showroom & production facility there is a retail space, here it all lies in wait for your decision to buy. There are also some supplementary items to compliment the ceramics like placemats & napkins, to kid’s tea sets.
Kevala welcomes individuals & small groups, and very soon, you will be able to ‘try your hand’ at the clay wheels too, a lot of fun, perhaps this activity could end up being your new found hobby?
Kevala enjoys excellent business relations with Bali based hotels, like, the Ayana, Inter-Con, Westin, GHM hotels & the Serai, who have enjoyed working on the creation of their own exclusive in-house collections. Interior designers are another group of professionals that contact Kevala for developing product, as well as providing selected retailers around town.
For you & I, the best advice is to take a hike over to the Kevala factory in Sanur, and view the busy collection of what is available displayed on the shelf, if they don’t have it all, then you can make an order, so easy! I can vouch that Kevala is one fun place to shop, and you might even get to meet the ‘infamous’ Madame Chairwoman at that!
KEVALA CERAMICS
Jl Mertasari, 21
Suwung Kangin
(coming up the ByPass from Kuta, turn sharp left just before Bali Bargain Hunter) into Danau Tempe, which runs into Jl Mertasari, call their office, if you get lost!)
T: 720718
E: sales@kevalaceramics.com
www.kevalaceramics.com
For comments & inquiries, email: retailtherapym@yahoo.com.au
