Pottery of Gold
Today’s gift idea is very much in the spirit of the season. See, despite being the author of a gift-giving blog, one of my true favourite parts of Christmas is gathering around the dinner table and seeing my family members – folks I don’t get to see all that often since I started hopping around the country a few years ago. That idea of togetherness is what drives Pottery Cupboard, a Canadian line of handcrafted dinnerware made from red and white clay by designer Dayna Wagner. Today I’m going to show you some of my fave pieces from this gorgeous line and tell you a bit more about Pottery Cupboard – and why it’s such a fantastic source for gifting.
Let’s back things up a bit. As I mentioned, Dayna is the creator of Pottery Cupboard. But her beginnings weren’t always so art-focused. In fact you may be surprised to hear that someone who now spends their days handling delicate ceramic pottery actually has a background in Mechanical Engineering and the automotive industry. But alas, Dayna’s creative side was begging to be tapped into and she began to experiment with various mediums until she landed on clay – a highly technical medium that perfectly balances her calculating intuition with a flair for the creative. After a stint at Haliburton School of Arts, Pottery Cupboard was born soon after.
Devoted to her family, Dayna naturally gravitated toward the creation of dinnerware because – like me – she loves the feeling of getting her loved ones together, even for more casual weeknight meals. Today, Pottery Cupboard offers up an extensive collection of plates, bowls, tumblers and mugs, in a range of styles that are constantly evolving – from new colours to new textures (like the ‘Oil Spot’ plates pictured above) to new shapes (a lineup of square dinnerware is currently being introduced). Every piece is lovingly handmade on the pottery wheel or the slab, and is meant for everyday use. All pieces are microwave, oven, and dishwasher safe, meaning you don’t have to save them for special occasions.
Technically speaking, every piece Pottery Cupboard makes is custom – however you can work directly with Dayna to create a setting that works with your decor or suits your giftee’s style. There’s even an online gift registry, so all you wedding lovebirds looking for a unique way to fill up your china cabinet, consider setting up a registry so people know exactly where to go to gift you with a custom, one-of-a-kind collection. In terms of the design process, you can purchase complete sets, but there’s also quite a bit of potential for mixing and matching amongst the line’s different variations, as demonstrated with the setting pictured above.
Now onto purchasing. You can visit the Pottery Cupboard website to get a peek at all of the existing collections and begin the consultation process to either acquire one of those sets – or craft something perfectly suited to your loved ones’ tastes. Prices are about $77 for a four-piece setting (on par with many commercially-available brands, but with double the charm). Each setting includes a dinner plate, dessert plate, bowl and mug – all of which can also be bought a la carte for about $15 – $32. There’s also a range of complementary serveware that can be ordered, including the brand’s popular coffee mugs with pour overs and serving sets. If you’ve never used a pour over, essentially it’s a manual filter that saves you from having to brew a full pot everytime – just grind your beans, place them in a filter in the pour over, pour boiling water, and boom, you’ve got a hot cup o joe. Select items are available on the One of a Kind Show website, as well you should stay tuned to Pottery Cupboard’s Facebook Page and Events page on their website to keep tabs on other in-person opportunities to check out the goods for yourself.
Pottery Cupboard is a great source for gift-giving this holiday season if you’re buying for a son or daughter (or newlyweds) that are settling into their first home and could use a little custom class in their cupboards. It’s also a cute idea if you just want to gift your tea-drinking mom with a custom-designed set, or to get a collection of mugs made for your best friends to bring for your next book club night. And even if you don’t get your order in for it to work for the holidays, it’s a fab idea to keep in the back of your head next time you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind way to show you care. Remember, what I’m showing you in this post is just scratching the clay surface of what’s possible.
Finally, I’ve got some cool news: I’m giving away a gorgeous collection of serving items from the Pottery Cupboard turquoise and cream collection, including four mugs, a square serving plate, a pour over, filters and gourmet coffee beans. It’s the perfect set to break out for Christmas morning hot chocolate and coffee, and with a value of $150, it’s one sweet prize to take home this holiday season. Interested in winning? Here’s how to enter:
1) Visit the Pottery Cupboard website and then leave a comment below by December 8, 2014, telling me which pieces you’d most love to gift or get this holiday season!
2) Entries are limited to one per person / per email address / per household (or more if you score bonus entries). A random draw will be conducted on or around December 9, 2014 to select the winner(s), who will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen in their place.
3) Entries are limited to Canadians that have reached the age of majority in their province. Quebec is not eligible for this promotion.
4) Bonus Entries: For the latest and greatest from Pottery Cupboard – including tons of pretty photos – Like the brand on Facebook and then leave a comment on their wall. Link back to your wall post in a separate comment below for an extra entry into the draw.
Canadian Gift Guide 
http://www.potterycupboard.ca/art-in-the-park-and-squares/oil-and-vinegar-2/
I’d love these oil and vinegar bottles. I could be like Rachael Ray with my fancy “EVOO” bottle!
Such rustic charm to these items!
LOVE THE RAINFOREST COLLECTION. HAVE ALWAYS LOVED THE ORGANIC NATURE OF ANY POTTERY
I love the tumbler collection.
http://www.potterycupboard.ca/collections/tumblers-mixed/
The Ivy and Nutmeg Collection bowls would be great for my family. We eat a lot of things in bowls, soups, chill, etc. and would find these beautiful and useful.
I really love the Nutmeg colour – it’s so rich and deep and would be beautiful for autumn gatherings.
Facebook wall posting:
The nesting bowls are pretty nice! http://www.potterycupboard.ca/pieces/tur-cream-nesting-bowls/
The Cream 12oz Mugs http://www.potterycupboard.ca/pieces/cream-mug/
I’m a sucker for anything teal or turquoise, and this would match my existing dishes really well. I really like the idea of being able to mix and match. So I vote for that as my favourite:
http://www.potterycupboard.ca/collections/mix-settings-1-2/
Love this look – http://www.potterycupboard.ca/collections/mix-settings-1-2/ – I am a huge sucker for pottery and will be checking them out, presuming their shipping prices aren’t astronomical.
Every piece is just lovely. This is one of my favourites :http://www.potterycupboard.ca/collections/prairie-sets/
the mix and match mugs!
I really like the fire-setting http://www.potterycupboard.ca/collections/fire-settings-3/
I like the Prairie Settings Collection.
I would love to have 8 place settings of the cloud collection.
I like them all, but I would choose the Prairie sets.
http://www.potterycupboard.ca/collections/prairie-sets/
It would be nice to win these collection
would m,y wife verey happy .
I like the Cloud Collection & a set of place settings would be so nice, my favourite colour
I would pick the Cloud collection for myself as my dishes are really old and rusty from the dishwasher – thanks!
I love the cloud collection – beautiful pottery! http://www.potterycupboard.ca/collections/cloud-set/
I would like the mix and match settings http://www.potterycupboard.ca/collections/tur-cr-si-stack/
https://www.facebook.com/PotteryCupboard#
beautiful bowls – amazing practical art!
I love the nesting bowls! My husband thinks I’m insane because I keep buying more plus I have a huge collection of vintage Pyrex! I think I’m drawn to bowls because they remind me of my mom & grandmother doing holiday baking in big mixing bowls. That & the comfort you get from eating a bowl of hot soup or stew when you’re cold or feeling under the weather.
I love the Cream 12oz Mugs http://www.potterycupboard.ca/pieces/cream-mug/
I think the Lily and Nutmeg Collection is gorgeous and would make an excellent gift!!
TUMBLER COLLECTION
I liked them on facebook and left a comment on their wall!
oilspot plates
The cream collection is beautiful
http://www.potterycupboard.ca/pieces/cream-setting-with-pasta/
http://www.potterycupboard.ca/plates-a-bowl-and-mug-for-spring/
I like the plates bowl and a mug for Spring.
Fb comment
Love the Mix & Match Stack.
The first blue set is very nice!
Liked pottery barn on facebook!
would love to receive the cloud collection and would love to give my cousin the prairie setting.
the Rainforest Setting tones are really nice!
I don’t usually enter many of the contests found on canadiangiftguide.com because I wait for prizes I truly would want to win, leaving a better chance for others to win on other contests. I had a neighbor who did this type of pottery and I still have the cup he made me, butter dish, and vase. I absolutely love pottery. It’s beautiful, strong and definitely a one of a kind original. I love that old crafted weathered look about it. Your pottery is exquisite and reminds me a great deal of my neighbor’s pottery and that is definitely a compliment for you :). This truly is an art form and one that must be owned and used daily to be appreciated. I love the idea of mixing various natural colours as shown in this mix n match settings link http://www.potterycupboard.ca/collections/mix-settings-1-2/
Just beautiful. This is exactly what I would do. I find it offers a great deal of character. I would love to receive this as a gift and I have a sister who is very fond of pottery also 🙂
Thank you for the opportunity to win such a nice prize!
I like the turquoise butter dish. http://www.daynawagner.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/0103a655831a5054ca8badedc9da6068e1ab0a49e7.jpg
I would love the Ocean Collection since I live by the ocean.
Love the cloud collection
I totally appreciate handmade pottery and the time and talent it takes to craft it. That being said, I think The Pottery Cupboard’s things are all beautiful. I especially like the Neating bowls to give or receive. http://www.potterycupboard.ca/pieces/tur-cream-nesting-bowls/
I like the Garden Collection
Visited the Pottery Cupboard website and I’d most love to get her Terquoise Setting this holiday season. Thanks
Love the cloud collection 🙂
Any of these collections would go great with my glam cottage theme. 🙂
I would love to receive the cloud collection. I also really like the mugs above that have names on them.
I love love love the rainforest collection. It’s so beautiful!!!
i like the Nutmeg colour
Oh my goodness, I would love them all! But if forced to choose one, I would have to say the serving set- love the design and colour.
I really love the Pottery Cupboard’s rain forest collection but all of her collections are beautiful. I used a set of her bowls to make cake in, the ideas are unlimited and the pottery is amazing.
would like to win this
Love the tumblers! Amazing work, Dayna!
the prairie sets
I love the its a garden collection, I would love two place settings at least!
http://www.potterycupboard.ca/collections/ocean-plates/ Love the Ocean Collection plates.
https://www.facebook.com/PotteryCupboard/posts/817950028261634 Liked and commented on their FB page 🙂
Really like the fire setting set. Amazing colours
I’d love the cloud collection. Will be looking for new dishes soon.
rainforest collection is nice- they all are really!
Wow! Just gorgeous sets!!! Love the Mix and Match collection:
http://www.potterycupboard.ca/collections/img_1025/
The Rainforest Collection is great too…..All of them are great really!
http://www.potterycupboard.ca/collections/rainforest-place-setting2/
I love the Mix and Match Stack it is just the type of thing my mom would use on her table 🙂
I like the mix and match mugs. My hubby would love them.
The Prairie Set
I’m a pottery lover and have collected various pieces over the years. Would love the Oil Spot Collection for myself or any of the square plates.
I would love to get the Ocean Collection as a gift.
I love the Cloud collection with its cups and plates- my favourite colour
liked Pottery Cupboard on FB – and commented – https://www.facebook.com/PotteryCupboard/posts/1505732893044432
I like the Rainforest Setting, very pretty.
The oil spot dishes are quite beautiful.
I really like the turquoise collection.
Liked and left a comment on Facebook – very pretty items!
awesome!
love the Lily and Nutmeg collection
i would love the Prairie Settings Collection.
the tumblers
Love the Turquoise and Cream Mugs, Makes me think of hot chocolate & marshmallows
I like the Terquoise Collection – One of my favorite colors.
I like Pottery Cupboard on facebook
I am SueSueper Sue on Facebook
Left them a comment
I really like this pottery. The Terquoise Setting would be something I would love.http://www.potterycupboard.ca/collections/tur-setting/
The cream mugs! http://www.potterycupboard.ca/pieces/cream-mug/
I like the Ocean Collection – the plates. They would be nice to have.
Thanks.
http://www.potterycupboard.ca/collections/ocean-plates/
the blue bowls are beautiful
It’s a hard decision because I’d like to have a whole dinner set and more. The mugs are a work of art as well.
I would love to get tucked under the tree the settings of the Rainforest place!
Oh my my! My mother would love the mix and match stack! This pottery is beautiful.
liked and commented 🙂 http://on.fb.me/1ptcyQe
I like the Lily-Nutmeg bowls
I love the Cloud Collection.
would love to have some place setting from the Prairie collection, thanks
Terquoise collection is very nice I’d love to have that piece
I love the Ocean collection, especially the bowls.
I like the Ocean collection
I like to coffee travel mugs and the Rainforest collections.
i would love to get/give the http://www.potterycupboard.ca/pieces/tur-cream-nesting-bowls/
I would like to give oil spot vinegar set
Wold love to own the Ocean Collection dinner plates. I need new tableware so badly and these are beautiful!
I love the garden collection…so pretty
I love these Nesting Bowls:
http://www.potterycupboard.ca/pieces/tur-cream-nesting-bowls/
I’d give them to my Mom, she loves pottery!
I love the domed butter dish.
I love the cloud set!
The Rainforest Collection is only one of my favorites. love it all!
I liked the ocean collection
karenthaeter@hotmail.com
i like the lily and nutmeg bowls
The cloud collection is ethereal
So hard to pick, but I would give my mom some pieces from the cloud set.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PotteryCupboard/posts/818633921526578
I love the mix & match mugs.
I would love to receive the Mix and Match Settings
I like the ocean plates. Very classy. http://www.potterycupboard.ca/collections/ocean-plates/
I would really like to own pieces from the Cloud Collection as blue is my favourite colour.
I’d really love to give the pour over to my daughter’s amazing Sunday School teacher.
i like the mix and match settings
I’d love the Ocean collection!
I liked and commented on the FB page!
rebthecatsitter at gmail dot com
I really like the turquoise collection!
I’d love their set of nesting bowls – so classic!
I love the Rainforest Collection. I would love the 20oz mugs for myself and the casserole would be an awesome gift!
http://www.potterycupboard.ca/collections/rainforest-settings-4/ Love the natural colours. Very earthy .
Liked on FB and left a post https://www.facebook.com/PotteryCupboard/posts/903760192969939
The tumbler collection
I like the cloud collection
Mix and match is so cool http://www.potterycupboard.ca/collections/mix-settings-1-2/
I love the Ben and Amy Dinnerware sets
Ilove the cloud collection set
I love the Rainforest settings…just beautiful
I like the Rainforest Setting best.
I like theRainforest collection.
I love the covered butter dish.
My wife would love the Fire Setting to go against our Granite countertops.
Bonus!
the rainforest settings are beautiful
http://www.potterycupboard.ca/collections/rainforest-settings-4/
Like the Cloud Collection. Beautiful gift ideas.
What a great looking set!! Hope I win.
Love the Cloud Collection.
Love the pottery….sure wish I could win
Love the Prairie Settings Collection!!!! It’s beautiful!
Garden Collection
I’d most like to give the Ocean Collection. I love the colour.
I have always loved the idea of drinking wine out of a more rustic piece and would love to gift a set of the wine cups!! http://www.potterycupboard.ca/pieces/cream-wine-cup/
I’d love the nesting bowls and 4 of the Terquoise place settings!
The mix and match setting and the mix and match stack would make great gifts for my mom. But I Love everything.
I would love to give my mom the “Lily and Nutmeg Collection Plates.”
Bonus entry: https://www.facebook.com/PotteryCupboard/posts/821252117931425
I love the Lily and Nutmeg Collection Bowls!
http://www.potterycupboard.ca/tea-and-freedom/
These pieces are to die for. I think I deserve them!
I love the Nesting Bowl set! http://www.potterycupboard.ca/pieces/tur-cream-nesting-bowls/
I love the cloud collection!
I’ve liked Pottery Cupboard and left a comment:
I love the Prairie Settings.
Absolutely beautiful pottery
I really like the Fire Setting. So authentic looking.
dorcontest at gmail dot com
I like the Pottery Cupboard on facebook. and left a comment … Doreen Lamoureux
dorcontest at gmail dot com
I love the Tea bowls! Thanks.
I love these tea bowls. http://www.potterycupboard.ca/tea-and-freedom/ Thanks for the giveaways!
Love the Tumbler in Cream Collection
I really love the Prairie Settings! Very beautiful!
I really like the first dishes at the top of the page. (I am not sure if it was intentional – but the names on the cups made me think of the real names of the main characters from the X-Files.)
I love the Lily + Nutmeg collection of dishes and mugs-I would use them every day!
I commented and liked on Facebook-the dishes are timeless and so practical too.https://www.facebook.com/PotteryCupboard/photos/a.186199051436738.46766.139486342774676/820587244664579/?type=1&comment_id=823227347733902&offset=0&total_comments=2
I’d love the collection that Amy and Ben chose as their Dinnerware!
i really like the ‘mix and match’ collection – i need some serving plates and a new favourite mug
Prairie Setting is gorgeous
My choice is the Prairie Settings. I like the blues and the large bowls.
My facebook post: https://www.facebook.com/PotteryCupboard/posts/823487117707925
I’d most love to get (and gift) the salt & pepper shakers & the nesting bowls.
The Lily and Nutmeg collection would look great in my kitchen!
like the rain forest collectin!!!
Garden collection – http://www.potterycupboard.ca/collections/garden-plates/
http://www.potterycupboard.ca/pieces/cream-mug/ i like these 🙂
I would love to gift the Lily and Nutmeg collection to my wife. She would love it for Christmas!