Yokwe Ceramics are handmade, Japanese and Scandinavian-inspired pieces that incorporate natural forms and earth tones. Handmade with love in Santa Barbara, a portion of the proceeds support education projects in the Marshall Islands where Sarah Genuardi and her husband adopted their two children.
Meet Sarah Genuardi, the talented maker of Yokwe Ceramics.
Q: Tell us a bit about your business.
A: I make handmade ceramics in my home studio on the Riviera. My art is Japanese and Scandinavian inspired. The word Yokwe is Marshallese and translates as "you are a rainbow". It is the common greeting in the Marshall Islands where our children were adopted from. A portion of my profits support non-profit work there.
Q: Why did you start your business?
A: I’ve always been interested in art but got into teaching early in my career out of more practicality. As I was raising my kids I went back to the Schott Center in Santa Barbara and fell in love with working with clay. It became my “thing” outside the home.
Q: What makes you the most passionate about your work?
A: I would say the creative process. Sometimes I can get scattered chasing new shape or glaze ideas but, I love it.
Q: What are some of your favorite projects/products?
A: Our friends were building their home in Mammoth and asked me to create some pendants for them. I had never done any lighting and it was a stretch for me. I went for it and now that is an area of my art I am trying to define and evolve.
Q: Connection to Santa Barbara, why do you work/live here?
A: My husband, son and I moved here in 2011 from Seattle. We both are originally from the east coast but, we settled in the Pacific Northwest for a long time. We were ready for some sun and my husbands business was remote so we went for it. Best decision ever!
Q: Describe your perfect day in Santa Barbara.
A: Morning hike with friends, some beach time with family and then home for homemade pizza.
Q: Store location, if applicable
A: I sell some pieces at Diani Living and will be doing a pop up at Jenny Kayne in November.
Q: Contact & social media
A: yokweceramics instagram
Q: Pro tip (anything you can share with our audience that they can apply in their own lives)
A: Finding that balance is so important.
