A tiny mug with a full-size character
There is something quietly charming about a miniature. This is a proper little mug, thrown on the wheel just like a full-size one but shrunk down to a size that fits in the palm of your hand. It has the same handle, the same considered form and the same hand-finished surface, just in miniature. People collect them, line them up on a shelf, use them as the smallest of espresso cups, or give them as a little token that means more than its size suggests. It is a small thing, but it is made with the same care as everything else in the studio.
Thrown and finished by hand in Oxfordshire
Every mini mug is thrown, trimmed and finished by hand in our Oxfordshire studio. Working small is its own challenge: there is very little clay to hold on to and no room for error, so each one takes a careful, practised touch on the wheel. We make them in small batches and finish each individually, which is why no two are ever exactly the same, and each piece is unique. Doing it all by hand, in-house, is what gives these little pieces their character rather than the flat sameness of something moulded by machine.
Small, but properly made
For all that it is tiny, this is a real, properly made mug rather than a novelty. The handle is shaped and attached by hand so it actually works, even at this scale, and the rim and foot are finished as carefully as they would be on a full-size piece. It sits neatly in the hand and stands steady on a shelf or a windowsill. That attention to the small details is exactly what makes a miniature satisfying, because it rewards a closer look. Half the pleasure of a good miniature is that it holds up when you really look at it.
A collectable piece to display or use
A mini mug is as much for display as for use. Stand one on a shelf, a windowsill or a desk and it adds a little character to the space, and it looks especially good as a set if you collect a few across different finishes. It makes a home for a single flower stem, a spot for rings or paperclips, or simply a small object that is nice to have around. If you do want to use it, it works as the smallest of espresso cups, or a little pot for salt or spices at the table. However it ends up living, it brings a bit of handmade charm to wherever you put it, and it is the kind of small piece that people always end up picking up and asking about.
Made to last, easy to live with
Handmade does not mean high-maintenance. Each mini mug is made from stoneware, fired to a high temperature so the clay body becomes dense, hard-wearing and non-porous. That gives even a piece this small real durability and a chip-resistant surface that stands up to being handled and moved around. It is dishwasher safe, microwave safe and food safe, so if you do use it you can treat it like any other piece, and everything is tested thoroughly before it leaves the studio.
A small handmade gift with charm
Because every mini mug is made individually rather than mass-produced, it makes a lovely little gift. It carries the mark of the person who made it, from the tiny handle to the finish on the surface and the small signs of a process that cannot be rushed. Whether it is a stocking filler, a small thank-you, an addition to someone's collection, or simply a treat for yourself, a piece like this is a charming thing to give and an easy one to keep.
Please note: as these are handmade objects, they may vary in colour, shape and size from one piece to the next. These variations are not defects. They are celebrated as part of the handmade quality of every piece.
Refund policyOur refund and returns policy lasts 30 days. If 30 days have passed since your purchase, we are unable to offer a full refund or exchange.
To be eligible for a return, your item must be unused, in the same condition you received it, and in its original packaging. A receipt or proof of purchase is required for all returns. Please do not send your purchase back to Country living; instead, follow the steps below to return your item to Brooker Ceramics.
Several types of goods are exempt from being returned:
- Perishable items such as plants, food, and flowers.
- Gift cards, downloadable software, some health and personal care items, and intimate or sanitary goods.
- Hazardous materials or items containing flammable liquids or gases.
Returns for Ceramics
- Ceramics are eligible for return within 30 days of purchase.
- Returned ceramics must be unused and in the same condition in which you received them, including their original packaging.
- To initiate a return, please contact us via email at hello@earthandclay.co.uk for instructions. Return shipping costs are the responsibility of the customer.
- Once we receive and inspect the returned item, we will notify you via email of the approval or rejection of your refund. If approved, your refund will be processed, and a credit will be applied to your original method of payment within a certain amount of days.
Partial Refunds
In certain situations, only partial refunds may be granted. This may apply to:
- Any item not in its original condition, is damaged, or missing parts for reasons not due to our error.
- Any item returned more than 30 days after delivery.
Sale Items
Only regular-priced items may be refunded. Sale items are non-refundable.
Exchanges
We replace items only if they are defective or damaged. If you need to exchange an item for the same one, please contact us at hello@earthandclay.co.uk and we will provide a return address.
Gifts
If the item was marked as a gift when purchased and shipped directly to you, you will receive a gift credit for the return value. Once the returned item is received, a gift certificate will be mailed to you.
If the item wasn’t marked as a gift at the time of purchase, or if the gift giver had the item shipped to themselves, we will send the refund to the gift giver.
Shipping Returns
Please contact us at hello@earthandclay.co.uk and we will provide a return address. Shipping costs for returns are the customer’s responsibility and are non-refundable. If a refund is issued, the cost of return shipping will be deducted from the refund amount.
For higher-value items, we recommend using a trackable shipping service or purchasing shipping insurance, as we cannot guarantee receipt of your returned item.
Late or Missing Refunds
If you have not received your refund within the expected timeframe, please:
- Check your bank account.
- Contact your credit card company, as there may be a delay in processing.
- Contact your bank, as processing times may vary.
If you have completed these steps and still have not received your refund, please contact us at hello@earthandclay.co.uk.
Need Help?
Contact us at hello@earthandclay.co.uk for any questions related to refunds and returns. Thank you for supporting Brooker Ceramics and Plants!