The Habulous Blog

Ever wondered what it means when something is ‘handmade’? Well we’re going to answer some frequently asked questions for you, and hopefully encourage you to shop handmade from now on!

What does ‘handmade’ mean?

The Oxford definition for something handmade is ‘made by hand, not by machine, and typically therefore of superior quality’ - and that is exactly what we always aim with our ceramics - the highest quality to ensure it lasts the test of time.

And why is it important that we buy things that are handmade?

• You’ll be supporting the growth of a small/independent business. Not only does this mean we can keep traditional making methods alive, we can also pass on our knowledge to others.
• It’s more eco-friendly. When things are mass-produced they are almost always made by machines which require electricity, whereas our hands only need our skill and creativity!
• Because we make each piece by hand, we try to make our pieces to the highest quality using the best materials, whereas mass produced items tend to use lower quality materials and are more likely to have faults because they aren’t checked over as thoroughly because this is cheaper for the companies.

How can you tell when something is handmade?

• You’ll notice that no two pieces are the same, making each and every handmade item completely unique. 
• You might notice makers’ marks - these are areas where you can see how the artist made the piece and with what tool (for example brushstrokes, grooves, fingerprints etc.) Check out our makers’ marks blog post here.
• There might be a maker’s stamp (their logo or initials) on the piece
• There may be imperfections - but to us these create character! There’s something much more visually appealing and natural when not every piece is identical.
• You will more than likely love it more than a mass produced item. Things as simple as the feel of the piece, how it has been designed for its function, the shape etc…these have each been tested and thought through meticulously by the maker.

Check out some of our handmade items that sell best:

• Stone Oil Pourer
• Off-White Stone Mug
• Air Plant Jellyfish
• Whale Air Plant Holder
• Emerald Reef Ring

Do you crave adventure, happiness, and a unique way to connect with nature? Look no further than the exhilarating world of wild swimming!

Open water swimming has taken the world by storm, and it's no wonder why. In this blog, we'll explore the reasons behind the growing popularity of wild swimming, its incredible benefits for your well-being and the local gems you can find on Dartmoor and the Devon and Cornwall coast. Plus, we'll introduce you to our range of ceramics inspired by wild swimming and our amazing shoreline.

Five Benefits Of Wild Swimming

Wild swimming isn't just a simple dip in the water; it's an experience that touches your soul and leaves you with an indescribable sense of bliss. Here's why:

1. Total Freedom: When you strip down to your swimsuit and dive into a hidden river pool or secret cove, you're letting go of the stresses of daily life. The freedom of wild swimming is unmatched, and you'll feel like a carefree kid again.
2. Connection with Nature: Wild swimming connects you intimately with Mother Nature. You'll swim alongside fish, breathe in the scent of your surroundings and feel the earth beneath your feet as you approach the water's edge.
3. Adventure and Exploration: Every swim is an adventure, as you explore uncharted waters, discover hidden waterfalls, and marvel at the untouched beauty of your surroundings.
4. Health and Well-being: The invigorating sensation of the cold water on your skin is an instant mood booster. Wild swimming releases endorphins, improves circulation, and enhances your overall well-being.
5. Sense of Community: The wild swimming community is a tight-knit, welcoming group of like-minded individuals who share their passion for nature and adventure. Joining this community can lead to lifelong friendships. Why not join Ocean City Swimmers Plymouth or check out Dartmoor Wild Swimming

The Magical Spots of Dartmoor and The Devon and Cornwall Coast

Now that you're excited about wild swimming, let's dive into some of the most fabulous spots in Dartmoor and along the Devon Cornwall coast:

1. Foggintor Quarry, Dartmoor: This abandoned granite quarry offers crystal-clear waters surrounded by towering cliffs. It's an iconic Dartmoor swim spot, and the reflections on the water's surface are pure magic.
2. Cadover Bridge, Dartmoor: Nestled in the heart of Dartmoor National Park, Cadover Bridge boasts a peaceful river with delightful swimming holes. Dip into the refreshing waters and take in the stunning scenery.
3. Bude Sea Pool, Cornwall: This semi-natural tidal swimming pool in Bude provides the perfect balance between wild and safe swimming. It's ideal for families and those who are new to wild swimming experience.
4. Porthcurno Beach, Cornwall: Known for its golden sands and turquoise waters, Porthcurno Beach offers a picturesque backdrop for your wild swimming adventures. Don't miss the chance to swim in the shadow of the Minack Theatre.
5. Firestone Bay, Plymouth: Located right behind the Royal William Yard, you’ll find a tidal pool, exposed at low tide.  It is also a popular location with paddle boarders, the currents can be strong here. 

Wild Swimming Magnets and Wall Hangings: Capture the Memories

As you embark on your wild swimming adventures, don't forget to capture the magic with our inspired magnets and wall hangings. These unique pieces of art will bring the beauty of Dartmoor and the Devon and Cornwall coast into your home, serving as a daily reminder of your happy and fabulous moments in nature.

Conclusion: Dive In and Find Happiness

Wild swimming is a celebration of life, nature, and the joy of living in the moment. It's a trend that's here to stay, and for all the right reasons. So, put on your swimsuit, gather your friends, and embark on a journey of wild swimming adventures in the breathtaking landscapes of Dartmoor and the Devon Cornwall coast. Happiness is just a magnet, a mobile hanging or a swim away!

You might also love our shoreline pottery collection, inspired by our local coastlines. Uncover the collection HERE.

Dogs are special, loyal and loving companions, and we want our furry friends to live their happiest and healthiest lives full of love, fun and food! So, one of the main questions we often want answered is: what dog bowl is best?

Since moving into our new Habulous studio, we wanted to make sure our pottery pups, Digby the Cavalier Spaniel and Libby the Cockapoo, would settle in comfortably but also keep our new space looking smart and matching our eco-conscious beliefs. We wanted to avoid the typical mass-produced plastic or steel dog bowls, so we thought we would design a stoneware bowl especially for them, and now for your pooches (especially those with long ears) too!

What makes our dog bowl better than plastic or steel dog bowls?

Well, the obvious is that it looks a lot nicer! Because we also offer a personalised bowl in a variety of our unique glaze colours, you can match it to both your dog and interior design. Check out our personalised bowl here, or if you can’t wait, check out our ‘Top Dog’ bowl here.

Since the bowl is made from stoneware clay and glaze, this makes it easy to clean as well as dishwasher and microwave safe. Although, because it is handmade, we usually recommend washing it by hand to keep the piece in its optimal condition.

Additionally, the weighted design and nature of stoneware means the bowl will be much less likely to tip over or move around, keeping your floor clean and dog’s dinner time a lot less noisy!

What makes our bowl good for long-eared dogs?

The dog bowl has been designed especially for dogs with long ears, such as Spaniels, with its raised sides but hearty volume. The opening is a comfortable size for your dog’s snout, but just narrow enough that it stops their ears from dipping in their food or water. This means your dog’s ears won’t be looking bedraggled and dripping all over the place, as well as being much more hygienic for your dog as well as around your home. 

The hearty volume allows a substantial amount of food or water and is easy to fit your hand in if the inside needs a clean.

What makes our dog bowl different from others?

Our bowls are made completely by hand each step of the way. From throwing the clay on the wheel to hand-writing your pup’s name on the outside and dipping it in your chosen glaze colour, all ready for firing in our kiln. No two bowls are the same.

What we love about the combination of the flecked stoneware and our unique pastel glaze is the gorgeous golden burnoff you can see around the edges where the glaze meets the clay. The texture of the clay and contrasting smooth glaze also provides a high-quality feel, simply because it is! 

Our handmade bowls are made to last the test of time. Stoneware is tactile and much less likely to get scratched or unappealing to look at like plastic and steel dog bowls. This will be a piece you won’t want to hide.

Handmade ceramics bring a lot more joy than mass-produced pottery because there are people and a story behind each piece. We value being eco-conscious as well as creating ceramics that are gorgeous to look at, to feel and to gift, be it to yourself or others (and dogs in this case!).

Why is pottery important?

Pottery has been around as early as 7000 BC and is still an active craft to this day - pretty mind-boggling, right? From ornamental pots and vases to tableware and sculptures, pottery is both for art and function.

At Habulous, we want to continue practising the traditional methods and craftsmanship that have been around for millenia and keep the craft alive through our own products and through teaching, avoiding the mass produced market that has unfortunately started to dominate a once solely hand produced practice. Our ethos being: “Hand produced not mass produced”.

So, are you looking for a pottery class near you? Well, thanks to the continued support of our customers, we have been able to move into a working studio nestled on the edge of Dartmoor, England, where we can now run pottery classes for beginners. We primarily focus on handbuilding, providing you with useful tips and tricks and showing you the behind the scenes craftsmanship that goes into each and every one of our pieces. We will also look at decoration methods on pre hand thrown pieces, giving you the opportunity to learn how a piece of pottery comes together. 

So why did we decide to run workshops?

Aside from keeping traditional making methods relevant, we want you to come and truly experience working with clay. We want to share with you how versatile this material from the Earth is: shaping, manipulating, carving, how it reacts with air and water… it’s fascinating how a variety of hand making methods can create functional and keepsake items for our homes.

Understanding how the clay feels and behaves is not only important knowledge we want to pass on, but from an eco-conscious point of view we want people to understand how our pieces are hand-designed to last the test of time and discourage contributing to a throwaway society.

You will get the chance to work with clay and build a piece the same way we would for our shop, only you can make it in your own stylistic way and choose the glaze colour you would like to paint your pottery with. There’s something special about owning a unique piece of art and being able to say you were the maker behind it!

What did people think about our workshop?

We ran our first workshop in July and we certainly enjoyed it as much as our attendees did.

Nicki: The workshop was so great! I learned about how to work the clay and using different tools to create different effects. Thank you so much to Nicky and Cara for such an enjoyable evening!

Becky: Wow! I had such an amazing evening! Everything was well thought out and each step was explained! It was lovely spending the evening together, being creative with lots of laughing. A different take on a night out, 10/10 Can’t wait for the end result x Roll on the next one.

Angelina: Amazing! Such a perfect way to spend an evening. Nicky & Cara were excellent in teaching us their craft. Really helpful and informative through each step. It was relaxing, fun and educational all in one. Will definitely be attending again. I'd highly recommend to anyone looking for a creative workshop. 10/10.

Jane: What a wonderful evening! It went so quickly. If you’d have asked me at the beginning how to make a bird pot I wouldn’t have had a clue! I learnt something new and really enjoyed working with the clay. Really makes you appreciate the work that goes into handmade products. Great instructions from Nicky and Cara. Can’t wait to get my pots back! Highly recommend!

How do I sign up?

We have a variety of upcoming workshops on our website which you can check out here. Choose one that interests you and check out all the information - each class costs £50pp with up to 10 spaces, so expect an in-depth and friendly workshop with other people who have the same experience and/or passion for pottery as you. Not to mention, we offer plenty of drinks and biscuits!

You will come away from the workshop with your very own creation (once you’ve chosen what colour glaze we will fire it for you in our kiln for you to come and pick up in due course) and a better understanding of the processes behind our unique pieces and hopefully a new love for pottery.

We hope to see you soon!