Meet Maya Champion: Ceramicist, Creator, and Collector of Stories

Meet Maya Champion: Ceramicist, Creator, and Collector of Stories

 

Maya wears The Ultra Wide Jean

Tell us more about who you are and what you do!

My name is Maya Champion, I spent the last six years in Los Angeles, honing my craft as a ceramicist. I opened a store in West Hollywood last year, and then took off to the east coast to come back to my roots. I work in many mediums, but clay has my heart.

 

Maya wears  The Micro Low Relaxed Straight

 

What inspires your ceramic work?

 I truly feel like everything inspires my work, but lately being outdoors has had the biggest influence- trees, the lake, rocks and animals. Overall, I think I am a deeply spiritual person by nature, and I find this practice to be the most spiritual work I have ever done. It keeps my brain quiet, which is quite the feat for an avid overthinker.

I rarely have a plan for a piece before I make it. I simply go into a flow state and it feels so good to create in this way. When I oil paint, I need a reference- whether it's a still life or a photograph, occasionally an abstract will appear out of nowhere, but I feel I need structure in most other art forms that really doesn't exist with me and clay.

 

Maya wears The Ultra Wide Jean

 

You love to thrift! What are your tips for finding treasures?

So many, but to be completely honest I think it takes a keen eye and a hunger to hunt. I find myself getting lucky consistently, no matter where I thrift, because I can thrift for hours—multiple days in a row—and very seldom get tired of it. It truly takes excitement, and that excitement has always been there for me.

I love knowing that there is something that wants to be uncovered and live a second life.

 

   I love your tips for home design and renovation! What design trends are you loving right now?

Funny enough I am making a lot of content right now surrounding this very topic! I love vintage lace tablecloths and runners on dressers, NO OVERHEAD LIGHTING (I could shout that from a mountain top,) and hanging things on walls that weren't originally meant to be wall decor- rugs are my current favorite. I love handmade paper lanterns, and really anything made by hand. I think with the rise of AI we are seeing a huge desire for handmade objects and spaces that feel personal.

The reason I started this renovation process was because the bones of this apartment spoke to me. It was built in the late 1800's and still has so many original details. The wood trim alone is unlike any I've seen- the ceilings are twelve feet high, the windows have stunning original shutters, and the list goes on. More than any trend, I'm drawn to designing a space for yourself rather than for its future market value. I love seeing highly functional elements and getting the sense that someone truly lives there. Nothing is worse to me than walking into a space and feeling no character

 



  Maya wears  The Micro Low Relaxed Straight


What is your number one piece of advice for someone looking to start their own business?


Pay attention to those that think you're capable of it- more than even you do yourself- and call them when it gets difficult. I have a friend Chris, that talked me through the three main stages of opening my storefront. He talked me through the fear of signing the lease, he came to the space when I opened and completely built me up about it, and then when I had doubts about the longevity. I believe a support system (especially a delusional one) will help you achieve dreams you might not have on your own. I know that's probably an unpopular opinion these days, but I believe we're wired for community, and I hope we are on the cusp of returning to that. Community is key!

Also, let this be the reminder to be the delusional friend for your people too!


        Maya wears The Micro Low Relaxed Straight

What is coming down the pipeline for your ceramics business?


 I am currently working on backstock of my handbuilt pieces so that I can spend the summer traveling to cities on the East Coast and the South to connect with new retailers. I have a few projects that have been pure exploration and I have a level of excitement around my work that I haven't in some time now. 


Maya wears The Micro Low Relaxed Straight

How do you like to style Just Black Denim jeans?

They are buttery soft, so to be honest, I've found a way to style them with just about everything lately. Comfort has been essential for me this past year, and I can't say enough about the quality and feel of these jeans. My favorite look right now is a cropped tank, the micro low-rise jeans, and flip-flops. I tend to gravitate toward simple outfits when my creative work gets busy.



Follow along on Instagram @mayafchampion 


 

June 15, 2026
Left Older Post Back to Featured Stories