About the Atelier Chus

Atelier Chus is a ceramics and handcrafts workshop run by Ourania Vagia. I work from a quiet summerhouse tucked behind our family home and an old barn in Seon, Switzerland.
Before turning to clay, I worked for many years as a computer engineer. Over time, I felt the need to step away from the screen and toward something I could hold and shape with my hands. Nearly three years ago, I discovered clay in a workshop in Zurich and I was immediately captivated.
After some more courses, I decided to get myself a simple beginner’s wheel and I started learning through repetition and patience. Later, a small second-hand kiln from the 1980s allowed me to enter the full cycle of making. My practice remains largely self-tought, nourished by continuous courses and study of the materials and the processes.

Today, my work focuses on functional and decorative objects for our everyday rituals. Mostly wheel-thrown and entirely handmade, each piece carries the subtle marks, small variations that speak of human hands.
The name Chus comes from the ancient Greek word χοῦς, meaning soil, earth, dust. Its sound also evokes Huus — “house” in Swiss German — reflecting that the atelier is part of home, a place where making, living, and family life intertwine. 
The workshop is a natural extension of our family life. It is where I spend much of my free time, often with family and friends nearby. I believe in a life rooted in simplicity, where making is not confined to the studio. Whether tending the garden or baking bread in the oven, these gestures of care shape the way I approach clay — attentively, slowly, and with respect for tradition.
My work is inspired by the ceramic and pottery traditions of Switzerland, Greece, England, and Japan. I strive to create objects that invite you to hold them and feel their connection to the earth.
The first collection will be released in May 2026.
The best way to follow the life at the workshop is through Instagram: @atelierchus . If you’d like to discuss a commission or a workshop, please use the Contact page.
Thank you for being here and for supporting slow-made craft.