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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.

OP posts:
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BluTangClan · 01/12/2025 21:16

Heidi Clover

Earthy Ceramic, with colourful patterns.

Heidi Clover

handmade ceramics & art

https://heidiclover.com/

ClydeBay · 01/12/2025 22:30

BeWellJ · 01/12/2025 14:18

Some beautiful mugs here. I must say though that I would be absolutely baffled if someone gave me a mug then told me I had to keep it at their house, like a toddler having toys at granny's 😂

I absolutely won’t be telling them they ‘have to’ keep it here, but will make the offer that they can if they want to. As things are, when we make a round of hot drinks, they are the only one that gets a random mug from the cupboard, while the rest of us all have our own. I know it must seem odd to some people, but that sort of inclusion in family life is extremely important to them and I want them to know that they are part of our family. As I said upthread, it will be one of a number of presents and they have been actively choosing to leave things here each time they come, as our house becomes their home away from home.

If they choose to take it home, I will be delighted that they like it that much and will probably buy a similar one for them to keep here before their next visit.

OP posts:
ClydeBay · 01/12/2025 23:04

I have just spent some time with my dc and finally bought a hand thrown and carved mug from Tatarek Pottery.

Dc showed me some videos of a potter their partner has been following online and the Tatarek mug was very similar to their style. (Unfortunately the person they are following’s work is way above my budget.) As soon as I showed my dc the mug I was looking at they were sure it was the right one. It has a purple glaze outside, but a lighter interior, is half carved with a sort of henna-ish style pattern and a round shape, so not quite as chunky as I originally thought, but dc is convinced they will love it. (Really hope they’re right!)

Again, thank you everyone for all your help. I will go back and look at the last few links tomorrow, as I have built up a nice list of places to look for inspiration for presents in future and will add them to that.

Pottery Online Shop | Tatarek Pottery 2/3

https://www.tatarekpottery.co.uk/?Category=Mugs%252C%2520Round&page=2

OP posts:
GlomOfNit · 01/12/2025 23:26

OP, what a lovely thing to think of doing! I love hand-crafted mugs but I'm always scared I'll break them or some twit will put them in the dishwasher or put a heavy saucepan on top of them ... So I have quite a lot of mugs getting dusty and greasy on the kitchen windowsill where I look admiringly at them!

I LOVE the Selborne Pottery. I came across their things in a craft shop in west Wales but tracked them down to the studio in Hampshire. They sell online. Lovely stoneware, gorgeous deep mysterious glazes and patterns, all hand thrown and hand painted. My favourite is Flame but Dancing Leaf sounds good for your guest too. Have a look
https://selbornepottery.co.uk/products/large-mug?variant=711855815

Large Mug 10.5cm

A beautiful hand thrown and decorated

https://selbornepottery.co.uk/products/large-mug?variant=711855815

Sidebeforeself · 02/12/2025 09:00

Arregaithel · 01/12/2025 18:51

It was only a picture of the mugs @Sidebeforeself

I was unable to source current stockists which carry his mugs (lots of vases though)

He does have an instagram account

www.instagram.com/bideaurichard
eta; link was only going to instagram landing page

Edited

Thanks!

OverlyFragrant · 27/01/2026 21:39

Not wanting to resurrect a dead thread....
But I just came across these.
Look!!
https://fehuceramics.com/

BoxingHares22 · 27/01/2026 21:43

Lovely but so expensive!

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