A Love for Handmade Ceramics with Founder Monni Jansen
When I look into my pantry or open the cupboards at home, I notice that almost every ceramic piece I own tells a story. Each one has a little bit of soul. They are all handmade, mostly by New Zealand potters, or they are one-off pieces I have collected while travelling.
Whenever I travel, I make a point of finding a local pottery studio. I love bringing home something special, a small memento to remind me of the journey. These pieces are not just beautiful objects. They are memories, connections, and quiet reminders of a place and a person.
Using handmade ceramics has become part of how I create small rituals in my everyday life. Whether it is the way I present a meal, or the way a cup complements my morning coffee, tea or matcha, these moments help me pause and reconnect. In the middle of the busyness, they become small anchors that remind me to slow down.
Choosing handmade feels like a conscious act. It is a more sustainable way to live, a way of supporting our local makers and our local economy. And for me, as an artist myself, it also means supporting another artist. Every handmade piece carries the heart and imagination of the person who made it. Each one is completely unique, a little expression of who they are. That is one of the most beautiful things about life and art — that no two creations are ever the same.
Maeve Ceramics and the Art of Everyday Moments
One of the artists who captures this philosophy so beautifully is Annie-Maeve, the maker behind Maeve Ceramics, also known as Love from Maeve. From her studio just north of Auckland, Annie-Maeve creates pottery that is warm, thoughtful and full of life.
Her journey began while studying Industrial Design, first working with jewellery before discovering her love for clay. Pottery became her playground, a space where she could bring together painting, sculpture and design to create something both functional and expressive.
Every piece is designed and made by Annie-Maeve herself. You can see her touch in each curve and glaze, and you can feel the care that goes into every object. Her work includes mugs, matcha bowls, vases, berry bowls, jars and more — all created with intention and patience.
What I love most about her pieces is how they transform everyday moments into something meaningful. A simple cup of tea becomes a small act of mindfulness. A handmade bowl turns an ordinary meal into a moment of care and beauty. Annie-Maeve’s ceramics are a celebration of slowing down and appreciating the little details that make life feel full.
Annie-Maeve says that the nature of handmade work means each piece has its own character. It might not be perfect, and that is what makes it special. The imperfections give it life. They remind us that it was made by human hands, not machines, and that the maker’s energy lives on in the piece.
A Gentle Invitation
Next time you reach for your morning cup or set your table for dinner, take a moment to notice the vessel in your hand. Notice the way it feels, the way it was made, the story it carries.
Let it remind you to slow down, to savour the small rituals that help you reconnect with yourself.
We are so proud to share Maeve Ceramics at Tea & Tonic, and to celebrate the beauty of handmade craft, creativity and the quiet art of the everyday.