What makes a perfect cuppa?
What is it that defines your favourite mug for that perfect cup of coffee or tea? Is it the glaze pattern on the surface? The weight of the cup and the way that it fits in your hand? Whatever it is, there is a personal relationship with the vessel which makes you reach for the same cup time and time again.
There is nothing more special than a cup that is handcrafted on the potter’s wheel, it is more than just a vessel, you’re embracing a piece of pottery that’s been shaped, fired, and glazed with care and intention. Each one is unique and special in its own way.
When a ceramic cup or mug has been thrown on the potter’s wheel, there are often faint throwing lines which remind you that the piece has been made by a human and not on a production line. These small handcrafted marks give the work a tactile feeling which adds to the experience of drinking from the cup. Additionally, everyone’s hands are different shapes and sizes, therefore cups should be different shapes and sizes, not mass produced from a mould. As in the Goldilocks tradition, one should strive to find a cup that feels just right in your hand.
My ceramic cups and mugs are all thrown from stoneware which is known for its durability. These vessels are fired at higher temperatures than other pottery and this makes them much more resistant to chipping, cracking, and everyday wear. They are oven safe and can be placed in a microwave or dishwasher. Why drink from a ceramic vessel? The porous nature of the pottery walls has tiny air pockets trapped in the material which acts as a natural insulation meaning your drinks will stay warmer longer. Ceramics also are good for a variety of beverages as they will not impart any unwanted flavors or odors.
Most importantly, when you invest in a handmade cup or mug, you are investing in the person behind making the piece. I run a small batch studio where each cup and mug is individually made by me. I operate a sustainable practice with very little waste in stark contrast to industrially made pottery which has a lot of wastage of material and creates too many pieces. I do not standardise my work, I am lead by the clay and the glaze when I am creating my pieces. Every person is a different shape and size and so should the cups be around your table. Maybe you like a slightly smaller cup for your morning cup of coffee before you dash out of the house or perhaps you like a weekend mug which in our household is an oversized cup for that extra large cup of tea on a lazy Sunday morning. You have to pick a cup that speaks to you. I am also drawn to glaze patterns when I am buying other artists’ work (yes, I have a collection of mugs by other ceramicists!). Glaze work is pure alchemy, you can have a particular way that you apply the glaze but it will always come out of the kiln with little nuance details that makes each piece a unique work of art. Pure magic!
Working in collaboration with The Oxford Coffee Festival, I have developed a limited edition cup to celebrate the event. If you are investing in sustainably and ethically grown coffee beans which are then specially roasted, it certainly must be paired with a handmade ceramic cup which will enhance the experience of imbuing the artisan coffee. Inspired by creating this cup for the festival, I have started drinking my own hot beverages from my new collection of handless cups. I find it so soothing to connect directly with my drink in this way, the weight of the cup in my hand, the tactile quality of the clay and the way the warmth of the drink radiates through the cup. I strongly recommend for everyone to try it out and find their perfect cup or mug for their favourite drink. So support your local potter and find your perfect cup today!
