The woman behind takeawai ceramics

Welcome back to another episode of Off Script, On Brand. I’m your host, Leslie Carvitto, and today I’m sitting down with Chela Edmunds, the creative force behind Takeawei.

Listen to the episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3mbuSkgDP01QmypTWVYSJc?si=vaVsb3eaRTWp1WfSfo443w

Chances are you’ve heard of Takeawei — you may even have one of their beautiful mugs or bowls in your kitchen — but you probably don’t know the story of the woman who created it.

Based on Victoria’s Surf Coast, Chela is a ceramic artist and designer whose work spans functional ceramics, glaze development, and small-batch collections. 

In this conversation, we explore Chela’s creative evolution — from working in New York’s fashion industry to building one of Australia’s most recognisable ceramics brands, as well as her IVF journey, becoming a mother, and how that’s shifted her creative practice.

In this episode, we explore:

• Chela's life and career in New York's fashion industry
• The transition from textile design to ceramics after discovering pottery in Brooklyn
• Returning to Australia and building a creative business from the ground up
• Opening her own retail store in Melbourne
• How the business evolved during COVID
• Her IVF journey and becoming a mother at 40
• The decision to grow her family from one to two
• The realities of balancing motherhood and a creative business
• Finding flow and protecting time for creativity
• How her confidence as an artist and business owner developed over time
• What life and business look like in this current season

Chela Edmunds is a ceramic artist and designer based on Victoria's Surf Coast and the founder of Takeawei, a practice specialising in functional ceramics, glaze development, and small-batch design collections.

Her work is defined by a thoughtful approach to form, colour, and materiality, from the humble mug to expansive tableware collections and a growing focus on lighting for residential and commercial spaces.

To follow along with Chela's work head to: www.takeawei.com and

Chela also hosts an AirBnB: airbnb.com/h/sunsetjanjuc