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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Where to buy beautiful hand-made mugs?

85 replies

ClydeBay · 01/12/2025 00:57

My dc’s partner will be spending Christmas with us for the first time this year. They have a difficult relationship with their own family and have never experienced a ‘family’ Christmas’, iyswim, so I want to make it as special as possible for them and let them know they are a part of our family. (They have been together for just over three years, the relationship is long-distance right now, but they come to stay a few times a year.)

An idea for one of their presents was to buy them their own mug, as everyone else in the family has their own and I just feel it would be another way to make them feel at home and part of the family.

They are an extremely talented artist, very creative and really appreciate beautiful artisan, hand-crafted items. In which case, I thought perhaps a beautiful hand made mug, but having looked at hundreds online this weekend, can’t seem to find the right one.

It’s not easy to describe their style, as they are quite alternative. They are always impeccably turned out and make a lot of their own clothes, some of which include absolutely stunning medieval embroidery or complex knitting or crochet. They wear New Rocks and DM’s style boots and favour chunky leather bags and chunky jewellery. So nothing too delicate like china, I was thinking maybe hand-made pottery with an unusual/interesting glaze? Probably favouring richer colours like plum, black, dark green, burgundy etc. Not too big, as they never seem to finish a full drink. I keep seeing mugs that I would love, but they are all in pastel shades or over-sized.

Does anyone have any suggestions for where I could look please? (Budget is up to £35.00.) I have spent hours on Etsy, but there is so much generic tat to wade through on there these days and the search function is hopelessly non-specific.

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bleakmidwintering · 01/12/2025 01:26

Craft fairs - some local potter will be glad for your business.

Arregaithel · 01/12/2025 02:02

@ClydeBay

"An idea for one of their presents was to buy them their own mug, as everyone else in the family has their own and I just feel it would be another way to make them feel at home and part of the family"

Just wondering, have you thought this through sufficiently?

You'd like to give a really thoughtful gift but expect them to leave it, at yours, so they feel part of the family?

Richard Bideau does beautiful ceramics

Robertplantgoddess · 01/12/2025 02:16

Edinbane pottery (dont know how to link sorry) but think that would fit the bill. Heavy, earthy tones.
Isle of skye but they deliver and I have many pieces that have lasted really well.

Arregaithel · 01/12/2025 03:29

@Robertplantgoddess just fyi, if, you're interested 😉all you do is copy the url of the site, choose which words to highlight in the body of your post, click the link 🔗 (at bottom of your post) and paste the url into the link box

E.g.
I chose to highlight Edinbane (as the text),
clicked the link symbol, 🔗
then pasted the url into the link box, then saved and posted it.

It may sound somewhat complicated but once you've done it a couple of times, it's so easy and helpful for other MN'ers. 😊

eta; you can see when you hover over Edinbane, it shows a "clicky" link

pashmina696 · 01/12/2025 03:52

https://highlandstoneware.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopKPM-18l2LSb9IlTK5xL9XM_Ek4H-1hhBi-sRQxKrLWDhWnNQw

highland stoneware might fit you bill - I collect one of their ranges. You can get items personalised as well.

Forgottenmyphone · 01/12/2025 05:23

Try Mud Ireland. They don’t have a very big range but they’re chunky, deep colours and very beautiful.

HeyThereDelila · 01/12/2025 05:46

Emma Bridgewater?

NutellasKitchen · 01/12/2025 06:14

.I saw these at an art trail yesterday and they were glorious:
https://www.demonpotters.co.uk/DPSgrafgal.html
I think Simon spends more time time potting than on building his website - you get the idea though.

Demonpotters Sgraffito Ware

https://www.demonpotters.co.uk/DPSgrafgal.html

Ophy83 · 01/12/2025 07:30

pashmina696 · 01/12/2025 03:52

https://highlandstoneware.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopKPM-18l2LSb9IlTK5xL9XM_Ek4H-1hhBi-sRQxKrLWDhWnNQw

highland stoneware might fit you bill - I collect one of their ranges. You can get items personalised as well.

I agree! I have some of their little coffee cups and they make me so happy every time I use them- memories of the cairngorms!

Christmaslogistics · 01/12/2025 07:38

Could you make one ? I’ve seen a few places over the years where you can go and make your own you’d be able to pick the exact colours and it would probably be really appreciated based on what you’ve said. Also I wanted to say you sound absolutely lovely ❤️

FiloPasty · 01/12/2025 10:18

https://www.slk-ceramics.co.uk/?utm_content=link_in_bio&utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social

When I get my new kitchen I’m getting some made, I’ve seen her at some craft markets and they are just gorgeous. Some v interesting patterns and I like the little gold stars in some.

SLK Ceramics

Wheel thrown, functional and decorative ceramics, hand made by Hampshire based potter Sarah Kaplan

https://www.slk-ceramics.co.uk

Nicemugsmrs · 01/12/2025 10:26

These are lovely and very quirky and individual. There are mugs for sale

https://www.charlottemillerceramics.com/shop

Store 1 — Charlotte Miller Ceramics

https://www.charlottemillerceramics.com/shop

Blondeissimo · 01/12/2025 10:46

Another recommendation for Glosters pottery, their mugs are fab - all handmade, keep a cuppa nice and hit for ages are hold a decent amount too. Highly recommend.

https://www.glosters.co.uk/

Glosters Handmade Ceramics | Welsh Pottery | Pottery Classes

Welcome to Glosters - the home of handmade pottery, contemporary ceramics, gifts, tableware, handmade mugs and pottery courses based in Porthmadog, North Wales.

https://www.glosters.co.uk/

Epli · 01/12/2025 10:50

Do you live close to a museum or art center? The one in my town sells a wide range of ceramics made by local artists.

ClydeBay · 01/12/2025 10:55

Oh my goodness! I wasn’t expecting so many responses. Thank you everyone, I am just starting to go through them all now.

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ClydeBay · 01/12/2025 10:58

@ByeByeDrinker Thank you. They are really lovely, but I couldn’t find anywhere to buy them online.

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