Blop: a dinner story said in blue ceramics

Everybody knows it already: I just love ceramics – no matter if it’s about beautiful jewellery pieces, decorative cool art works or some cups & plates perfect for afternoon tea. Therefore, I couldn’t resist of an amazing window with the most beautiful hand-painted ceramics in town. Not to mention that I realised that I know, somehow, a bit of those ceramics – read my story about Polish designers, you will have a surprise. Meet Blop and her cool owner, Alexandra. 

Blop pieces are available in the shop on Brazilia 13 street in Bucharest /  www.blop.ro / Instagram @blop.ro, FB @blopinblue 

Usually, every cup in a kitchen has a story. Therefore, why Blop?  What is the story of the brand, for short? 

I have always loved art and I like painting, playing with clay, but I have never pursued that calling. Not professionally, anyway. So when I was living in Barcelona, I discovered this amazing Polish pottery. And I fell in love with it, on the spot. I thought “this is what I want to do! I want to have a shop of my own with this splendid, handmade pottery in it, and make others fall for it too”. That is how the seed started to sprout. 

Why do you select only ceramics for your store? And mostly, why hand-painted handcrafted models, in a world that goes on fast forward? 

Blop is short (and a bit twisted) for blue pottery, which is what I want it to be known for. I love it precisely because it is handmade, and it encourages the world to live at a slower pace. They look like paintings to me, proper pieces of art. I also love it because this unique, handmade ceramic meets the challenges of use in modern times: you can use all of our products in the oven up to 280º C, microwave and dishwasher. Yes, all of them. If you feel like baking in a mug cake in the oven, you can. Or throw some fish fingers in the oven, directly on your plate. 

How do you make the selection process? What is the most special piece (or artisan) that you have in your store? 

I start by thinking what I would like to have in my home and then I take into account the suggestions and needs of the customers. I choose the shapes and then for each shape, I choose a pattern created by the talented Polish designers. Then the ceramics are specially handmade for Blop. 

There really isn’t just one “No. 1”. However, one of the best-sellers is our pasta plate “Make me fly”. We also have what is called a tajine dish, a Moroccan type of pot with a very tall, conic lid. It makes the air circulate efficiently so that the food stays juicy while cooking it in the oven. Quite special. And beautiful.

Where do you get all the pieces from? Do they have their own story? What is the most important characteristic that makes a porcelain piece (or an artisan) to make it to your short list for Blop? 

I work with one cooperative only, recognized as the industry leader of hand painted ceramics in Poland. The rise of Polish ceramic craft goes back to medieval times. It started to flourish in the 18th century and ever since, it has been appreciated for both its usefulness as well as its artistic value.

And yes, they have a beautiful story too. It started as a father-son business, they struggled a lot after the second world war because of scarcity and destruction, but they eventually made it through. There are two equally important characteristics for a piece of porcelain to make it to Blop: it has got to be of the best quality and breath-taking. 

The brand / the artist that you wish to have in your selection is…  

I almost feel like I’d be cheating on these ceramics if I said another name. I am joking. I would really like to add some different objects to the collection, like some of my paintings, woolly scarves and some jewellery. 

The perfect Blop gift for a fashionista would be… ? And the perfect gift for a Christmas dinner? 

Hmm…I think the perfect gift for a fashionista would be the “Blueberries” tea set or the “Royale” cup. And the perfect gift for a Christmas dinner either the “Shelly Berry” glasses or the “Bricks” baking dish. Or both :-))

About Alexandra we should know…

I am a mum. I am a foodie and I looove cooking – it relaxes me. I could talk about food, Barcelona and its restaurants for hours and wouldn’t get bored. I hope one day I’ll go back and live there again. What else? I am in love with these ceramics. And I recycle :-)) And I love Christmas lol. 

Photography: Blop 

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