A small cup for a proper short coffee
A short, strong coffee deserves the right cup. This one is made for exactly that: an espresso, a cortado, a macchiato or a ristretto, served the way it should be. The compact form concentrates the aroma and holds the crema instead of letting it spread thin, and the size keeps the coffee hot from the first sip to the last. It works just as well for a small, concentrated serving of tea. It is a little piece, but it is the kind of thing that quietly improves a daily ritual you already care about.
Thrown and finished by hand in Oxfordshire
Every cup is thrown, trimmed and finished by hand in our Oxfordshire studio. A small cup is deceptively hard to make well. The walls have to be fine enough to feel refined without being fragile, and the whole thing has to balance so it sits steady when it is full. We work in small batches on the wheel and finish each cup individually, which is why no two are ever exactly the same, and why each piece is unique. Doing every stage in-house, by hand, is how we hold that standard rather than relying on shortcuts that flatten the character out of a finished piece.
Sized and weighted for espresso
So much of a good espresso cup is in the proportions. This one is shaped and weighted to feel substantial in the hand without being bulky, with a rim finished to sit comfortably against your lip and a base that keeps it stable on a saucer or a worktop. It is small enough to feel special and generous enough to take a double when you want one. Every one is trimmed by hand, so the balance is judged piece by piece rather than stamped out to a template. On a cup this size, those small details are what separate one you reach for daily from one you never quite warm to.
From the coffee machine to the table
A cup like this lives between the coffee machine and the table. Pull a shot into it in the morning, carry it through to wherever you drink, and when it is washed and back on the side it holds its own as a piece worth looking at rather than something to hide away. It sits neatly alongside the rest of the range if you are building a small collection, and it makes an easy, low-commitment way to bring a bit of handmade craft into your coffee routine. Small pieces like this are often the ones that get used the most.
Made to last, easy to live with
Handmade does not mean high-maintenance. Each cup is made from stoneware, fired to a high temperature so the clay body becomes dense, hard-wearing and non-porous. That gives real durability despite the small size, and a chip-resistant surface that copes with daily washing and handling. A small cup takes a surprising amount of daily wear, moved from machine to table to sink and back again, so it is built to keep up. It is dishwasher safe, microwave safe and food safe, so you can use it exactly as you would any everyday cup, and everything is tested thoroughly before it leaves the studio so you can reach for it without a second thought.
A considered gift for coffee lovers
Because every cup is made individually rather than mass-produced, it makes a thoughtful gift. It carries the mark of the person who made it, from the trimmed foot to the weight in the hand and the small signs of a process that cannot be rushed. Whether it is for an espresso enthusiast, a coffee lover kitting out a home set-up, or someone who simply appreciates things made with care, a cup like this is a genuinely considered thing to give, or an easy treat for your own morning coffee.
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!