Bringing Brands to Life with Branded Pottery Mugs
As a ceramic artist, one of the most rewarding parts of my work is collaborating with other local businesses. There's something truly special about working closely with businesses to bring their ideas to life, especially when it results in a product that not only reflects their brand but also becomes a meaningful gift or keepsake for their customers.
One of my favourite ways to do this is by creating bespoke, hand-thrown branded pottery mugs and cups. A cup of coffee or tea is part of many people’s daily ritual; it can be restorative or something that is shared with friends. And having that daily cuppa in a unique handmade mug is somehow even more special. These unique pieces go beyond functionality: they tell a story, capture a business’s identity, and create lasting impressions. Whether it's a farm shop, café, hotel, or artisan producer, I love working with businesses to design bespoke ceramic pieces.
Oxford Farmhouse Collaboration
A recent project that I particularly enjoyed was creating branded pottery cups for Oxford Farmhouse, a local producer and charity known for its award-winning apple juice and cider created from a mixture of apple varieties and waste fruit. They were developing their holiday hampers and were searching for something that would complement their bottles of apple juice and cider. Just as their apple juice was pressed by hand with regional fruit, they wanted to pair it with a locally handmade cup that would connect with their brand's countryside heritage.
We started with a collaborative design phase. I met with Andrew and Mandy Myatt of Oxford Farmhouse to understand their vision and explore how their iconic sheep logo could be featured on the cups. Once we landed on a design direction, I threw on the wheel a series of sample cups using different shapes and sizes to achieve the proportions they were after. I explored a variety of glaze finishes and experimented with the logo on the surface of the cup. It was important to strike the right balance between subtle elegance and strong brand presence.
After reviewing the samples together, we agreed on a final design of their sheep logo embossed into the mug with a mottled blue green glaze. I began creating the full set, throwing each cup by hand on the wheel. The sheep logo was masked onto the clay before glazing and then removed to reveal the unglazed clay body underneath. Once fired, the contrast between the glazed and unglazed surface gives each cup a tactile feel that encourages one to cradle the cup when drinking the juice.
The cups launched in December 2024 and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Customers loved the hampers of the juice and cider with the distinctive cups, and they have become a favourite gift to give. Sipping Oxford Farmhouse’s juice and cider from these artisanal cups not only showcases the complexities of what a mixture of apple varieties can achieve, but it also becomes a deeper experience as it allows you to encounter artisanal craftsmanship through the sense of touch with the cup and taste with the drink. Additionally, these keepsake cups become a reminder of Oxford Farmhouse’s beverages every time they are used.
Looking to Create Something Special?
Are you a business looking to stand out from the crowd and convey your values in a different way? Are you looking to create a unique gift to present to important clients for the holiday season? Or maybe you want to memorialise a special event. Set your brand or event apart from the competition, show that you care with a lovingly crafted one-of-a-kind piece of art, which will be treasured. Whether you're looking for branded clay mugs, custom plates, or another bespoke pottery commission to complement your products, I can help you bring your ideas to life in clay.
The process behind design development, production and delivery of commission work can take anywhere between 8-12 weeks. If you're a business owner or event planner who wants to offer your customers something truly memorable, I’d love to hear from you. Get in touch with me via email or telephone, and we can explore how we can work together to create fantastic and unique branded clay pieces for your business. I look forward to hearing from you