In the Making: Ode to Elma

Ode to Elma is a sustainable design studio based in Melbourne/Naarm, founded by designer Kerrie. Named in memory of her grandmother Elma, the studio is a tribute to a generation that valued mending, restoring and repairing everyday objects rather than replacing them. Using reclaimed materials, Kerrie creates beautiful eco-conscious lighting and homewares, including sculptural lamps, bowls and vases crafted entirely from 100% recycled paper pulp. Through thoughtful design and a deep commitment to sustainability, she transforms everyday waste into objects designed to be treasured for years to come.

Your work with paper feels very intuitive and considered. How did you first start working with it in this way?

I used to make jewellery out of bicycle tyre inner tubes (yes, you read that correctly!), but it was incredibly fiddly work and I started getting a lot of eye strain. I wanted to move into creating larger, more sculptural pieces, and I remembered making papier-mâché as a kid and wondered if it was something worth exploring. It kind of grew from there really.

The first few things I made were terrible, but I kept experimenting and refining the process over time. I knew I wanted to work with a reclaimed material that was also readily available, and waste paper fit the brief perfectly. Once I started exploring its possibilities, I realised just how versatile it was—and I was hooked.

What does a typical day in your studio look like when you are in the flow?

Oh gosh—I feel like I'm often a bit all over the place, working on different pieces at varying stages in the process. I'm constantly moving between my wet area and my studio (which definitely helps get the steps up!).

I generally start the day catching up on emails and admin before getting into the messy stuff—making the pulp mixture (I always have a batch on the go), moulding lights and lamps, sanding, painting and levelling. There are so many steps along the way, and what I'm working on really depends on the orders that have come in.

I'm also always thinking about new pieces and new styles to create. I guess that's just the brain of a creative!

How much of your work is planned in advance versus discovered through the process of making?

Definitely discovered through the process of making. All of my designs have developed that way. I might start with a general idea of what I want to create, but the final piece usually evolves through experimenting with different shapes, forms and proportions.

My next project is making my own natural paints for a new collection of lights, so that will be a whole new world of experimenting and seeing where the process takes me.

What has been one of the biggest hurdles or turning points in your creative practice, and how did it shape the way you work now?

One of the biggest turning points for me was realising that you can't keep everybody happy, and that sometimes saying no is just as important as saying yes.

It can be very tempting (and exciting) to accept every opportunity, especially in the early days. But over time I've learnt that it's important to make sure those opportunities align with my values, my philosophy and the direction I want my creative practice to take.

Not every opportunity is the right opportunity, and sometimes that means saying no.

What do you hope people feel when they live with or spend time around your work?

I hope my work brings a sense of wonder when people discover it all begins as reclaimed paper. Then they see beyond the material itself and connect with the story behind the object it has become.

More than anything, I hope each piece brings warmth, character and quiet joy to a space, while reflecting the thought and care that's gone into making it.

Favourite thing in your studio right now?
My new super duper shredder.

What are you listening to while you work?
El Camino by The Black Keys — you can't help but bop around.

A material or colour you're drawn to at the moment?
I'm very much into earthy tones at the moment—deep terracotta, olive green and ochre.

A career highlight so far?
Having my lights featured in The Impossible House—a sustainable off-grid renovation in the heart of Sydney—which was showcased on Grand Designs.

Best advice for someone starting their own creative practice?
Connect with other creatives and support one another. Being a solo creative can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also be isolating and a bit of a rollercoaster. Having people who understand that journey is so important.

Thank you to Kerrie for sharing a glimpse into her creative practice. From reclaimed paper to beautifully crafted lighting and homewares, Ode to Elma is a reminder that thoughtful design and sustainability can go hand in hand.

Follow along

Website www.odetoelma.com.au
Instagram @odetoelma