Behind every piece in our ceramics collection is a Hill Tribe family we know personally, whose craftsmanship has been passed down through generations. By visiting their workshop regularly, we’ve been able to witness every stage of the process first-hand.
The family sources clay directly from the local river. The clay is prepared and kneaded by hand before each piece is shaped on a potter’s wheel and carved using simple hand tools. The ceramics are then placed inside firing pots before being fired in a traditional wood-fired brick kiln, using a process known as reduction firing.
For the distinctive black and grey finishes, the ceramics are covered in rice husks, a by-product of rice harvesting across Southeast Asia. For the natural terracotta finish, the colour develops from the wood smoke in the kiln. Because the movement of heat, smoke, and oxygen varies naturally throughout each firing, no two pieces are ever completely identical. Those subtle differences are the signature of authentic, handmade ceramics.
Our relationship with this artisan family is based on partnership, not just product. While the artisans continue to create designs rooted in their traditions, we collaborate closely, sharing feedback from our customers, while respecting the family’s traditional skills and creative direction. Together, we work to preserve traditional craftsmanship, create pieces people love, and support sustainable income for the family, ensuring these skills continue for future generations.
We believe the best partnerships are those where traditional craftsmanship is celebrated, customers receive exceptional handmade products, and artisan families benefit from sustainable, long-term relationships.
Every purchase helps keep these traditional skills alive. By working directly with artisan families, visiting their workshops regularly, and building long-term relationships, we help create sustainable income while offering authentic pieces to our customers.
The husband and wife team (Pan and Max) are the heart of the workshop, kneading the clay, working at the potter’s wheel, and carving the designs by hand. Together, they lead a craft that has been passed down through their family for generations.
Pan’s sister Yoo is also part of the workshop, contributing to the making process alongside the family. Aunt Tum, Pan’s mother, brings years of experience and a deep knowledge of the traditional techniques that define the family’s work.
Idea and Q, the family’s daughter and son, are growing up surrounded by the workshop and the skills that have shaped their family’s life. We hope these traditions continue with them for many years to come.
A behind-the-scenes look at every stage of the process, photographed at the family's workshop in Southeast Asia.
Every piece begins here. Ian is based in SE Asia and visits this family's workshop regularly (he's got the best job!). It's where we've built a relationship rooted in trust, craft, and shared values. The lady here is K. Max (nickname). Her skill is incredible!
At the heart of the workshop stands a traditional wood-fired brick kiln. The same design used by the family for generations.
The process starts with clay sourced directly from the local river. Each batch is kneaded by hand to remove air and achieve the right consistency.
Working with steady hands and practised instinct, the clay takes its first form on a traditional potter's wheel.
No two pieces are shaped in exactly the same way. Each one responds to the touch of the maker.
Once the clay is firm enough, the artisan selects a hand tool to begin carving. The designs are drawn from the family's own creative tradition.
Each pattern is carved freehand, a skill that takes years to develop and cannot be replicated by machine.
The finished pieces are carefully packed into large firing pots, which protect them and control the flow of heat and smoke during firing.
For the distinctive black and grey finishes, rice husks (a by-product of the local rice harvest) are added to the firing pots. The husks reduce oxygen inside the kiln, creating the deep, smoky tones.
The firing pots are loaded into the kiln by hand. The placement affects how heat and smoke move around each piece. Another variable that makes every item unique.
Inside the kiln, pieces are stacked with care. The firing process takes hours, with the wood fuelling a slow, controlled burn that develops the final colour and finish.
A simple, natural by-product of the harvest. Rice husks have been used for centuries to create the rich, earthy tones that define our ceramics collection.