Mirjam is like a golden thread that is woven throughout the Kalk Bay community – a community that she cares deeply about and that we are lucky to have our studio and shop in.  She has a special knack for tapping into someone’s talents and gently guiding them to their full potential.

I (Abi) first met Mirjam as I joined her weekly art classes in her stunning studio that is above the iconic Olympia Café and overlooking the local harbour.  Her art classes have inspired our series of cards in our shop – watercolours that I painted in her class.  And we also regularly sell artist’s work from Mirjam's art classes in our shop.  Mirjam also introduced me to Gracie who had worked with Mirjam in the past - Gracie now works in our shop and cooks our studio the most delicious Ayurvedic meals – all learnt through Mirjam! She has since become a good friend and often helps with her visual inspiration for our shop space.

Please can you tell us a little bit about yourself
- where are you from originally, where do you live now and what do you do?

Hi there, my name is Mirjam. I'm originally from Switzerland, but have lived in Cape Town for most of my life. For the last 40 years this little fishing village near the tip of Africa, called Kalk Bay, has been my home.

In this little seaside village one wakes up to the sound of the fishing boats chugging out to sea early in the morning and the returning at lunchtime with their catch.  There’s the sound of the train driving by along this coast line, its a noisy little village but with pockets of peacefulness like the tidal pools very much part of its lifestyle.

It’s a very special place to live and a place where I have my art studio, called Studio Muse. My studio is a teaching space and also a production venue for the Ayurvedic Larder. Here we make all sorts of Ayurvedic products like ghee, masala, body oils etc... 

The Studio also hosts a variety of different creative experiences and exhibitions. Most importantly though, the studio is a place for community; for people to meet each other and host community events.

The studio is an incredible space with a spectacular view of the harbour. Like the harbour is a safe space – the studio is also a safe space for many.

What do you think makes Kalk Bay special?

Kalk Bay is special because of its people.  The people in Kalk Bay are extraordinary people. There's a real sense of community
here with caring people always willing to help you.  It's a place to meet friends for a swim at the tidal pools with coffee afterwards.  It's a place where you can watch the moon rise
over the bay. 

There's lots of beauty here that we all enjoy
together. A lot of artists live here, lots of creative people doing interesting things. And I think there's a special weaving between people that just lives in the atmosphere and the air of this little village.

You have started The Ayurveda Larder; what does living an Ayurvedic lifestyle look like for you?

The Ayurvedic Larder was started about two years ago with myself and my wonderful friend Nicole.  The aim of the Larder was first
and primarily to make ourselves fabulous Ayurvedic products to use that we would then share with others.  

An Ayurvedic lifestyle to me is living a simpler life, a life where I make things and do things for myself.  I make body oils that I use for my Ayurvedic abhyanga body oil massage.  I make ghee, which I eat with most of what I cook. I make my own masalas. Ayurveda is something I eat, sleep and dream and love every day.

For me, Ayurveda allows me to have the life that I want to have and to be healthy at the same time. Its all about balance, on one day I might have a pizza at the local pizzeria but the following day I will eat a light meal and rebalance myself. For me, Ayurveda is really the way of joy. 

I always think in Ayurveda, we don't prescribe what’s right or wrong, we make space for something new to arrive.

What role do you think art in society will hold in our future?

So I believe that art is the future. I believe
that if you want to know where the world is going and want to know what's coming next, frequent art galleries and have a look at what artists are making.  Artists are always deeply connected to the future.  I guess, in some way they are connected to the invisible world, allowing us to have an insight into what's coming.  I think with the arrival of
AI and technology, everything that involves the hands, the human hands, is going to become valuable. 

Everything we make is going to become something that will keep us connected to our humanity. I believe beauty creates wholeness. It gives us a sense of what wholeness is and feels like. As the pace of life escalates and we become overwhelmed by this world we will need to surround ourselves with beauty and nature in order to remember who we really are.

They say home is where the heart is.  What
does ‘home’ mean to you?

I'm Taurean, so my home is definitely my sanctuary. I love my home, and I love to  make it beautiful.

My real home is my family, my friends and nature. 

I would also say home can be anywhere where I feel at ease. When I have that feeling that I can breathe out and relax and be at ease, then I know I'm home but I guess my real home is somewhere deep inside of myself.

What are your favourite SOUL Design pieces  to travel with?

My favourite SOUL Design piece that I like to travel with is my linen shirt.  I never feel very comfortable in an aeroplane - I'm neurotic about radiation and I feel like my hair has been put into electric sockets when I'm flying! But I find if I wear my linen shirt, I feel protected and safe and it definitely
counterbalances the electrostatic in the air - and I know it protects me from radiation. In fact, in the olden days, air stewardesses wore linen uniforms for that exact reason.

So whenever I travel, my Soul shirt comes with me. 

I also love all my SOUL rings - especially the Bone Ring and wear them most days! Along with a selection of SOUL bangles and Juju bracelets.

Mirjam's Instagram handles: studiomusekalkbay and theayurvediclarder.