Handmade ceramic mugs are one way to elevate your days. Making a batch of your favorite hot chocolate recipe and enjoying it in the perfect mug is a great way to make your day a little cozier.
While I realize that not everyone is into ceramics, I find so much comfort in the pieces I own at home, especially when I consider the time and effort it took to make these mugs. Of course, no mug is ever the same, and well, I also like to think of these mugs as functional art pieces (filed under things I tell myself to ease my wallet guilt).
If you’re looking to get a collection of ceramic coffee mugs started, or you’re trying to add more to your growing stash, here are some artists you may want to check out.
Reine So
Reine So began her foray into pottery as a college elective at UP Diliman. She studied under Romanlito Austria. Her love for the craft grew from there.
Today, she not only creates her own pieces but also shares her passion through teaching. You can find her hosting everything from pet mug-making workshops to handbuilding sessions in cozy cafés.
I’ve had the pleasure of taking one of Reine’s classes, and it honestly felt like a calming breath of air. There’s no pressure to create the “perfect” mug. Instead, it’s about enjoying the process, getting your hands messy, and appreciating the beauty in imperfections.
Reine’s Instagram bio literally says, “Making things inspired by people and nature,” and you can really see that in the soft form and organic vibe of her work.
Paburopots
Paburopots AKA Pablo Capati III is a pillar in Philippine ceramics. He began his journey into pottery while living in Japan as a teenager. Today, he works from his farm-studio in San Jose, Batangas.
Each piece by Capati is fired in his traditional anagama kiln, an ancient Japanese wood-fired kiln that produces gorgeous textures and glazes unique to every piece.
Capati has exhibited both locally and abroad, and it’s easy to see why. Each of his functional wares is beautifully crafted. They’re glazed to perfection, and yet they retain the organic elegance of hand-formed clay. They’re the kind of mugs that’ll elevate making coffee at home into a ritual.
Ready to snag a mug from this artist? Make sure to keep an eye out for his new releases here.
Taongputik
Ella Mendoza is taongputik. She’s a painter by training and a ceramicist by passion. After completing her Art History degree at UP, she found her way into ceramics in 2015, and boy, am I glad that she did.
Some of her mugs might look like bent tin cans from afar, but they’re intentionally shaped that way. Think playful, slightly surreal, and full of personality.
Mendoza sells her mugs on her Instagram store, which tends to sell out fast, so make sure you’re following her. In between preparing for an exhibit and restocking her online store, Mendoza also teaches pottery workshops at the UP College of Fine Arts, so if you’re lucky, you may just get the chance to have her as your teacher.
Manibalang
“Manibalang” means “nearly ripe,” and if you’ve met Aly Kangleon, you’ll see how this idea of being in constant growth really fits her approach to life… and clay.
A nature lover and avid walker, Kangleon’s pieces reflect her curiosity about flora, terrain, and everyday life. She’s known for her quirky boob mugs, mountain cups (with beautiful contour lines), and egg plates.
Lately, she’s been blending her love for botanical sun-prints and ceramics to create one-of-a-kind pieces that look like nature printed herself on them.
Read about Kangleon’s inner musings and maybe get some of her pieces, which are up for sale on her Instagram page.
Pettyjohn Potter
The pottery art scene in the Philippines would not be where it is if it weren’t for Jon and Tessy Pettyjohn. The husband-and-wife duo based in Calamba, Laguna, has been crafting distinctive, high-fire stoneware since the ‘70s.
Jon focuses on Asian-inspired ceramics and woodfiring techniques using cave kilns, which are known for their rich natural glaze effects. Tessy, on the other hand, uses native clays and minerals sourced from around the country.
Together, their works marry tradition and experimentation, rustic earth tones and sleek, modern forms.
Find out more about Pettyjohn pottery by visiting their Facebook page here.
Mia Casal
For over two decades, Mia Casal has been shaping clay into functional beauty. Originally based in Quezon City, she now works from San Narciso, Zambales, where she’s brought new meaning to her brand, Clay Avenue.
Since Casal’s move to Zambales, you’ll see parts of her home incorporated into her work. Some of her pieces incorporate black sand from Zambales into her ceramics.
Her most iconic functional ware is her barnacle mug. Textured and tactile, these mugs feel like ocean relics. No two are exactly alike, each handmade with care.
See more of Casal’s adventures in Zambales on her Instagram page.
Ugu Bigyan
Another iconic potter in the Philippine scene is Augusto “Ugu” Bigyan. He started working with clay in his 20s and has since built a legacy around his craft.
Located in Barangay Lusacan in Tiaong, Quezon, his home now doubles as a pottery garden, gallery, workshop studio, and by-reservation restaurant. The best part? Meals are served on his own handcrafted ceramics.
His mugs, bowls, and plates are adorned with intricate impressions of leaves, birds, and other natural elements, each piece instantly recognizable and unmistakably his.
Learn more about his workshops and craft on his Facebook page.
Making Every Sip Better with a Ceramic Coffee Mug
Ceramic mugs are obviously more than just drinkware – they’re also art. Little pieces of the artist live in each piece. Each imperfection tells a story. Each mug is one-of-a-kind.
If you loved this article, I hope it inspires you to make a ritual out of your favorite drink and to support local potters who reimagine everyday objects like this and turn them into art.
Did I miss your favorite ceramicist? Make sure to drop their name in the comments below.
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