The Perfect Mug: Hand To Earth Ceramics

Down To Earth Ceramics

A little while ago I asked my Instagram followers for some help in finding the perfect mug! I got so many wonderful suggestions that I thought I would share them here with you guys. There are some seriously wonderfully talented potters out there, and being a keen (but not very good) potter myself love to look for some inspiration

Down To Earth Ceramic's was one of the first studios that caught my eye. I love the round cauldron shaped mugs, especially the ones with Moons and Crystals on, and the glazes are really beautiful natural hues! These mugs sell like hot cakes so you need need to keep your eye on Deanna Steinborgs shop and instagram if you want to catch one....

You can see more of Deanna's beautiful work on Instagram or her Etsy Store

My name is Deanna Steinborn, and to me, ceramics represents magic, nature, art and the beauty hidden inside small, quiet moments. I had my first encounter with making ceramics in a college course in 2011, and I fell in love. I’d always loved art, but never has something captured my interest so much as playing in the mud. I am currently an artist in residence at a gallery, shop, and classroom in downtown Springfield, MO called Springfield Pottery. I genuinely believe that one could spend an entire lifetime exploring the myriad avenues this art form provides and I'm excited to continue exploring new techniques, various materials, and the endless possibilities of form. 

I am currently focused on creating functional pieces, such as dinnerware, because I love that ceramics bridges the gap between art to be admired and the tactile relationship between the objects we encounter every day. I love the idea that someone wakes up every morning with his or her cup of coffee, spending their quiet moments of the day holding my mug in their hands, exploring the space where my own hands have devoted hours of love and care. These are the moments I am excited to be a part of. 

For my design aesthetic, I have the most fun experimenting with all sorts of decorative techniques. Over all, I love an intricate pattern or texture. I want the eyes, hands and lips to be able to explore the surface of my forms. Most of my patterns are inspired by nature, and I love to incorporate both the symmetrical, ordered aspect of nature as well as the more free-flowing, organic qualities. 

Both the process of decorating as well as forming my pieces has been a form of meditation for me, and I am so grateful to have found my niche. I fully expect for my ceramics to not only grow with me, but to help me grow as I become more connected to the earth, to other people, and to myself.

Big round mirrors

Large round mirror above bed

Gold framed round mirror above a desk

Big round mirror in Bathroom

Big round mirror in PInk room

Those mirrors!!!

The circle symbol meaning is universal, sacred and divine. It represents 

the infinite nature of energy, and the inclusivity of the universe.

Perfectly imperfect: The Kitchen Table

Light wood table with mismatched chairs

To me a good table is one you can read like a good book. Unevenly worn and smoother in places and showing the chapters of a lifetimes use. Coffee rings, curry stains, red wine splashes, crayon wax and pet scratches all ingrained in the wood reminding us of a time when....

 To begin your story you don't even have to spend a lot of money to find a decent one. They are often on craiglist, ebay or found in thrift stores and in fact ours was a lucky find from an alley when we were still students. It was covered with a lifetime of other families memories (and a nasty dark wood stain) so a simple sanding down refreshed and lightened the table and gave us a blank canvas in which to start our own memories. We already have a great collection of marks and bashes including a wonderful blue stained bit that will always make me smile (from a paint explosion that had my 2 year old and me in hysterics for a good 20 mins).

For this reason I could never buy a new table, one that had to be kept in perfect condition and religiously varnished/oiled/waxed. My table has sentimental value (yes I am a Taurean) and I look forward to many more meals sharing stories and laughter with friends and family, seeing my son complete his homework at it and even just sitting at it having a cup of tea on my own.  It is also why it is always dressed with fresh flowers.... the kitchen table is the heart of the home and deserves a little TLC.

Country kitchen table

All images not Sourced from my Pinterest page here

Druids temple, Masham, England

Druids temple, Masham , England

I get quite a few private messages on Instagram asking me of cool places to visit in the UK. Of course there are the obvious wonderful places like Glastonbury (a personal favorite) and Stone Henge but I thought I might share a few other cool places worth a visit with you all.

So this beautiful place is called Druids Temple in Masham, England. Although it looks like a historic circle it was actually built in the 1820's by William Danby The squire of Masham. It was said to have been built to boost the economy in the town and give unemployed locals something to do. The cool thing about this Folly is it gives the feel of what it would have been like to visit the real now semi-derelict sites like Stone Henge back in the ancient times.

Very pretty and well worth a visit. It is also near the very beautiful Harogate!!

Druids Temple

Attic Room envy....

Light and airy: Anoushka Hempels Loft room

Vintage style, A frame Room

Country Charm

Church Conversion Bedroom

As a kid and an adult I have moved around a lot. Last count was 21 houses! That is a lot of bedrooms and not one of them was an attic room...... my ultimate dream bedroom!!

I just love sleeping below exposed timber beams, it just feels so nest like and comforting. bliss!!

Kitchen : True Blue

 How magical is this stunning kitchen found over at Casa Chaucha I love the contrast of the cool clinical white and the ultra marine blue. Such a happy place to create a yummy meal with friends and family

Just wanted to say a massive thank you to everyone who commented on my last post. It really means a lot to receive such support.