Not too long ago, we spent the morning in the shop with Christian, founder of The Rolling And The Stoned.
We had just finished filming an episode of our Soroka Shop Sessions, where we spoke about the story behind the brand, the meaning of its name, and the journey of transforming everyday objects into handcrafted ceramic pieces. If you haven't watched it yet, we highly recommend that you check it out on our Instagram and TikTok.
Once the cameras stopped rolling, the conversation carried on.
Fun fact about the creator behind these beautiful pieces.
Christian: The first thing I do when I open my studio door every morning is head straight to the coffee machine. I think that sums up the brand quite well.
An early morning coffee gets you into the day. It's the fresh smell of ground beans, the sound of the machine, the whole ritual around making it.
Having a coffee from a boring cup isn't very exciting. I genuinely enjoy sitting down, taking a moment and doing absolutely nothing except drinking it. When you've got something beautiful to hold and look at, it just elevates the whole experience.
Drinking it from a cup you've made yourself makes it even more enjoyable.
Your work celebrates objects that most people would throw away. Tell us more about this concept?
Christian: With the past jobs I had, I've been more digital and laptop based. It's quite nice to actually make something. So specially where it's a receipt where you'd normally throw away, since it's ceramic, it's something that can last forever.
A receipt is something you'd normally throw away within seconds. An ashtray gets emptied. Those moments are so temporary. But with ceramics last forever, you can preserve the memory.
I also create commission pieces where someone brings a receipt with a handwritten note, a postcard from somewhere they've travelled, or something personal that would otherwise end up in the bin. Once it's fired, that ordinary object is transformed into something meaningful that can be treasured over time.
Is there ever a perfect piece?
Christian: Never really.
Opening the kiln is probably my favourite part of the whole process because you never completely know what's happened inside.
Sometimes everything comes out perfectly. More often, something has shifted slightly, a tiny mark has appeared, or a cigarette has moved while firing.
At first I used to think something had gone wrong, but now I quite like it.
Nothing is ever completely perfect in ceramics, and I think that's what makes handmade work so special.
Especially now, when so much around us feels digital or computer generated, there's something really comforting about holding something that you know was made by someone's hands.
Where do you find inspiration?
Christian: I used to work as a videographer, so films still inspire me a lot. I'm always looking at colour, composition and how scenes are framed. Also, at a party, if I see an ashtray, I tend to snap a photo because there is nothing more in the moment.
But I also like letting things happen naturally.
I've dropped something from my workbench before, and it's landed perfectly inside an ashtray. Instead of moving it, I've thought, "Actually, that's better than what I'd planned."
One thing we always found fascinating is that people knew your work before they knew you.
Jamila: We all had this idea in our heads of what you might look like before we met you. We knew there was this creative, slightly rock and roll energy behind the brand, but you remained quite mysterious.
Christian: I've spent most of my career working behind the scenes for other brands, so having my own brand is still quite new.
I don't really want to become the face of it because I think the work speaks for itself.
The stories belong to the ashtrays and the people who connect with them.
Jamila: I actually think that's part of what makes it so special.
You almost become this mysterious person quietly preserving memories.
When someone's style naturally flows through everything they create, you can really feel it.
Christian: I think that's why Soroka works so well too.
Every brand has its own identity, but together they create one world. Everything becomes a conversation starter.
It's rare to find a creative space where different brands sit together so naturally.
We also have to tell people how Rolling & the Stoned found Soroka.
Christian: Every year I produce a newspaper for the brand. The model on the cover, Biba, who became a friend, came into Soroka after we'd shot it together.
She told Jamila about my ceramics because she immediately thought they'd belong here.
That one conversation started everything.
Jamila: And you fit right in.
It's great as gifts, others collect pieces for themselves, and tourists often choose the espresso cups because they're easy to take home.
I think everyone is amazed by the level of detail.
For me it's always the ash. Every time I look at it, I still can't quite believe it's ceramic.
It's extraordinary. Thank you for coming into the store and having this chat with us.
Christian: Thank you guys for having me.
We invite you to discover the world of Rolling & the Stoned through our online collection or visit us in store to experience the craftsmanship up close.
