In today’s interview, I’m excited to introduce Janža Dolinšek, a talented ceramic artist and the founder of the studio Biskvit. Janža has created a wonderful space for her craft, where people can explore the art of ceramics through her workshops. What truly inspires me about Janža is her mindful, slow approach to life. Recently, she moved to a house near the woods, which she designed (interior only, kudos to her architect friend Matej Delak).

As we talked, accompanied by her three dogs and three cats and with the forest as a backdrop, we delved into her creative process, her passion for ceramics, and her journey toward a more intentional life.

Enjoy the interview bellow.

1. How would you describe yourself in three words?
Loving, resourceful, sensitive.

2. How would you define your approach to ceramics and the creative process?
It’s often slow and thoughtful simply because of circumstances; sometimes an idea for a piece hits me with such force that it completely consumes my thoughts. But the reality is that I don’t often have time to get to the clay right away, so my ideas crystallize during those days or weeks waiting for studio time. The same thing happened when I was designing the interior of the house—I became completely absorbed, spending hours thinking only about shapes, colors, and arrangements. This comes naturally, and it’s hard to force myself, though years in graphic design taught me that sometimes you just need to get something done “well enough” instead of striving for perfection. Perfection is unattainable anyway. 

3. What fuels your passion for your work, and where do you find inspiration?
I can say that I don’t seek inspiration from other ceramicists’ work. It’s not because their work isn’t good, but because it feels too final, too concrete for me—it has already expressed all its inspiration. What does inspire me are the makers behind the work, their warmth, spark, and humor. Most of all, I find inspiration in spaces and surroundings; they can truly captivate me. Every day, I admire the forest’s changes, the plants, clouds, the colors of the sky, and birds in the distance. I especially love observing gentle patches of light, like glittering sparkles on the forest floor moss. When I’m not physically present in a space, architectural magazine newsletters filled with home, furniture, and space photos bring a flutter to my heart.

4. After moving from the city center to this peaceful home by the woods, how has your lifestyle and daily rhythm changed?
It turned everything upside down, yet everything also fell into place. As soon as my partner and I first saw the house and the plot, we knew it was the place. We wanted to wake up to this scene, and the near-deafening silence has replaced the sound of the city’s bus garage.
Of course, one can’t escape their own thoughts entirely—some days are better, some worse, and anxiety still visits occasionally, but this environment is soothing and almost healing.
Being curious, ambitious, and hardworking, the city’s many stimuli had been exhausting for me. I’ve been self-employed for years, and it took a long time to settle down and find some peace, to set boundaries and finally feel relaxed enough to avoid the constant rush of projects. I’m not sure if I could have achieved that in the city—lifting my gaze from the screen to see trees is something else. Whenever I get the chance, I go for a walk in the forest with the dogs—no need to take a single step on asphalt.
It brings such peace and a sense of gratitude into my days. I smile every day at the fact that this is my life.

5. How do you incorporate sustainability into your life and your ceramic practice?
Out of love for nature and animals, I try not to support practices I find unpleasant. I mostly eat a plant-based diet, with the exception of eggs from happy hens on a regenerative farm where they play an essential role. We grow as much of our own vegetables as possible and buy the rest locally. If possible, I avoid foods from other continents—tofu requires pesticides and factories to produce, which I find more problematic than eating eggs, for example, or avocados from far away. I believe we have plenty of great food close to home.

I could talk a lot about this, as I feel we’ve become spoiled and disconnected from modesty. We’re too accustomed to comfort, yet ironically, these comforts can bring us problems, diets, guilt, and self-punishment. We overcomplicate things.
I have similar thoughts when it comes to shoes and clothing. Are vegan (plastic) products always more sustainable? I think not. That’s why I love brands like Viva's—leather pieces that you can wear for a lifetime are surely less taxing on nature. I also aim to be mindful with other clothes, to care for them and rarely discard anything.
The same goes for my work. Ceramics consume a lot of energy during crafting. I try to ensure each piece has meaning and purpose. Since ceramics aren’t recyclable, I strive to create pieces that will last forever.

6. What brings you the most joy in your everyday life?
Home! You know the saying, “Sometimes home is another person.” I’m always happy when I’m with my loved ones: my dear partner, with whom I love spending time, and our animals. Although our current home is in a stunning location, we’ve always enjoyed being together, wherever we were. Home is a bundle of love, and that makes me happy.

7. Is there a particular project or piece of work that you feel especially proud of?

It’s hard to pinpoint any specific, material thing as something I’m especially proud of, since things (even unique pieces) are still just… things. I’m most proud of my personal growth over recent years, of the strength to navigate turbulent times, and of the courage to follow my feelings even without guaranteed success. Most of all, I’m proud of my trust in these feelings that guide me. I’m not one for numbers or calculations; I trust my intuition more.
That said, I can’t ignore Biskvit. It encapsulates everything I’ve written here. It’s a project that brought a wealth of experiences and knowledge into my life. It’s a story that I started, and now others continue to write.

8. With the demands of running a studio and offering workshops, how do you maintain balance between your work and personal life? What helps you recharge?
I don’t. I no longer run Biskvit or the workshops (except occasionally). I had to rethink where my time is best spent, and I chose to focus on my brand, designing and making my own ceramics, graphic design, and spatial planning. Although I’d love to be everywhere, I had to admit it’s not possible.
Exercise is my ultimate recharge! I love movement. For the past few years, I’ve been climbing regularly, and I absolutely love this hobby (and I invest a lot of energy into it).

9. How does your typical morning look like in this beautiful home near the forest?
I usually wake up snuggled with Kale, my whippet; he likes to crawl under the blanket in the morning. He’s so warm and cozy that I’m reluctant to get up. I brush my teeth and head to the kitchen, where fresh coffee is waiting, made by Anže, who leaves for work around 7. Sleepily, I walk back upstairs with my coffee and cross the bridge to my office. I check emails, jot down my plans for the day, and continue accordingly.

10. Do you have any special rituals or routines that ground you throughout the day?

I’m prone to anxiety, so I often need to consciously calm myself—take a moment to pause, breathe deeply, and pet my animals. I don’t have strict rituals, as they can feel limiting to me.

11. What music or song do you turn to when you need a moment of peace or inspiration?

I wish I had a cool answer for this—especially since I do love music—but in recent years, I’ve enjoyed it most live. At home and in the car, I usually listen to podcasts (perhaps because I work alone and am often in silence). My soundscape for peace and inspiration is the whisper of the nearby forest and the calls of its feathered inhabitants.

12. What’s always in your bag?

Everything. A water bottle because I hate being thirsty, a small planner since I don’t like to write notes on my phone, a pen, my wallet, lip balm (unless I really need it, then I won’t have it), some old receipts, twigs and leaves (origin unknown), and a random extra piece of clothing, like socks or an undershirt.

Bags featured in this story: the Karla and Zora.

Janža’s go-to choice is the Bruna Tote.