Ellen – living the dream outside Hjo
Ellen’s love for ceramics was sparked during evening classes more than 15 years ago. Today she runs her company Lervis from a little red cottage outside Hjo. It’s where she throws pottery, holds courses in ceramics and lives her dream.
Ellen Lannemyr grew up in Tibro but was living in an apartment in Malmö with her husband when they both realized that city living was not for them. They longed for the countryside, nature and the freedom they enjoyed in their summer cottage. And so a removal truck left the hustle and bustle of the big city for the peace and quiet of their red cottage outside Hjo in Skaraborg.
But the couple did more than just enjoy the tranquility of the countryside. They renovated their cottage and added a large garage, and this gave Ellen the opportunity to develop an interest she’d had for a long time.
“In 2007, I’d taken evening classes in ceramics. The potter’s clay had really captured my interest. What a material! You can use it in so many different ways to create things, and there’s no limit to the different shapes, functions and expressions. I felt right away that this was something I wanted to do more of, and I nurtured the dream in my heart,” says Ellen.
The potter’s clay had really captured my interest. What a material! You can use it in so many different ways to create things, and there’s no limit to the different shapes, functions and expressions.
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Meeting place for creative souls
Today, Ellen runs her company Lervis, where she holds courses in ceramics and sells potter’s clay online. The large garage on the lot is now home to a big ceramics workshop with eight potter’s wheels and a shop selling handmade ceramics. Her dream of cultivating a personal interest has grown into a thriving business and a meeting place for like-minded souls.
“It’s a place where you can meet new people, learn to work with the potter’s wheel and throw clay – a place for inspiration and creativity. And today we also organize courses and creative events. Because I think it’s important to share and help others who want to go on working with ceramics, people can rent space in the workshop on weekdays or rent a potter’s wheel,” says Ellen.
In addition to the ceramics workshop and the sale of clay, there is a summer guest house for rent at Ellen’s farm. There’s also a wood sauna, and during the winter many people come to take a dip in the frozen lake and enjoy a hot sauna. Ellen’s husband Peter also runs a company in the construction industry. What will happen to the couple next is entirely up to the future.
“There will be pitches for RVs for the summer and we have tentative plans to rebuild our guest house. But we also want time to enjoy life! Right now we’re very pleased with what we’ve created and want to enjoy it,” says Ellen.
In addition to running her company, Lervis, Ellen works as a business developer and commutes to the neighboring municipality of Jönköping one or two days a week.
“To me, Skaraborg is a place where there’s a lot going on, and the people here are creative, open and welcoming!”
Ellen’s tips for anyone thinking about following their dream
Give it a try! Be prepared to put in a lot of effort, but give it a try. Start small and find out what suits you best by trial and error.
Collaborate with others! There’s bound to be plenty of people happy to share their experiences with you or places where you can access expensive equipment without having to buy everything yourself.
Read more at lervis.se or follow Ellen on Instagram.
Read more at lervis.se or follow Ellen på instagram.
