Today I’m delighted to introduce you to Paula, the creative force behind From Paula, with Love. Originally from Brazil with a background in architecture, Paula rediscovered ceramics in 2017 and quickly turned her passion into a thriving pottery brand. After several years in Singapore—where she launched her business and juggled the joys and challenges of motherhood—Paula has since brought her work to the UK, where From Paula, with Love has grown into four branches, from her own ceramics to children’s and adults’ pottery clubs. I sat down with Paula to chat about creativity, the joy of making, and the role art can play in children’s lives.
Among your collections, you have a gorgeous offering where children can be involved in designing your ceramics. Could you tell us a bit more about your collection Illustrated by Little Hands?
As my children got older, I found myself swimming in a growing collection of adorable scribbles and drawings—stuffed into drawers, folders, and random corners of the house. The hardest part was always deciding what to keep and what (reluctantly) to throw away. That’s when the idea struck: what if I carefully selected a few of these special drawings and transferred them onto ceramic pieces?
Not only did it solve my dilemma of preserving their art forever, but it also gave us something beautiful and meaningful to display—and even use—every day. Best of all, it made my children incredibly proud to see their own artwork turned into something real and lasting.
Before long, others started asking for custom pieces too—gifts for grandparents, Father’s Day surprises, or keepsakes for the children themselves.
The beauty of it is that children can become the illustrators of their own ceramic pieces as soon as they’re old enough to hold a pencil and make their first marks. It’s all about celebrating their creativity in a way that lasts.
I love this because it involves children in the process of making usable art. Can you explain what the benefits are for involving kids in the arts?
In today’s world, it is more important than ever for children to engage in the arts. Encouraging them to explore creativity gives both them—and their caregivers—a powerful way to push back against the constant pull of screens and social media, especially as they move into their teenage years.
From an early age perspective, art comes naturally to children, no special knowledge is required. It is pure freedom and self-expression. It supports their cognitive, emotional, social, and physical development. It enhances a child’s fine motor skills and promotes emotional regulation. Artistic activities in a group will help them to socialise and interact. Ultimately, exposure to arts cultivate a lifelong appreciation for creativity and continuous learning.
With Illustrated by Little Hands, children step into the role of product designers or illustrators. This experience gives them a sense of ownership and pride in their work, while boosting their self-confidence.
Do the benefits of practicing art change during child development? Is it equally beneficial for both toddlers and children?
Yes, it does change, but it is beneficial at any age and stage.
Toddlers get the most out of art through exploration, curiosity, and self-expression—especially since they’re still figuring things out before they can fully talk. For them, art is a way to make sense of the world around them. Since they’re not quite ready to follow detailed instructions, the best way to introduce art at this stage is through play. It’s all about the process, not the final product.
As children get older and are able to follow instructions, art becomes an even more powerful tool. It supports their emotional growth and helps develop fine motor skills too. You can start setting little goals or outcomes with them, but it’s just as important to give them the freedom to explore and create in their own way. It’s a great opportunity to teach them that every piece of art is unique—just like they are—and that what really matters is the experience of making it.
Do you have any advice on how to involve young children artistic practices? Are there any art or craft activities that you can recommend to get started with?
In my experience, just having a simple art station at home—with things like pencils, crayons, paint, cardboard, and paper—that children can access anytime on their own, without needing help from an adult, is already a huge motivator. It gives them the freedom to create whenever inspiration hits.
As they grow and become more confident, you can start adding in extras like scissors, glue, glitter, and even a stapler to expand their possibilities.
Collage is always a big hit with kids. You can use whatever you have around the house—magazines, old packaging, fabric scraps—or even repurpose things that would normally go in the recycling bin. It’s creative, fun, and teaches them to see value in everyday materials.
Thanks so much for talking to us Paula. Don't forget to check out more of Paula's work at From Paula With Love.
