My day begins and ends with handmade mugs. Coffee in the a.m. and tea in the p.m. All the ‘dishes’ in our home are handmade, so I have many unique mugs to choose from. Although I have a lot of options, I gravitate towards a few. I think of these as my ceramic soulmates. They are the mugs I dig around in the cupboard for or open the dishwasher mid-cycle to find. How about you? Do you have a favorite handmade mug, or maybe a few?
Fluted mug by Megan Harris.
Since the year began, Kent and I have made about 350 mugs between the two of us, and all of those are unique in some way. Forms, colors, textures, patterns, and marks vary! All the variations make it easy to find a mug that seems ‘made for you’. Read on for tips on selecting a handmade mug for yourself!
HOW TO SELECT A MUG
Finding your ceramic soulmate is a lot like finding your actual soulmate. Below are a few tips to get you started when selecting a mug:
1 Don’t seek perfection.
Sometimes, it is the unexpected element that makes us love a mug. Maybe it is the softly altered rim or the undulating marks of a tool. Perhaps it is the way that a paddle indentation fits your hand. Don’t try to find a ‘perfect’ mug. Perfect is boring.
2 Take it slow
If you can visit the gallery, check out the mug racks. Pick up a mug and envision filling it with your favorite hot beverage. Find a mug that feels right in your hands. If you are shopping online, spend a few minutes looking at all the photos.
3 Trust yourself!
Be open to possibilities. You may want a specific form, color, or style, but another mug attracts you. Trust your instincts and bring a little artistry to your daily routine!
