The Habulous Blog

We all need to take steps to reduce our carbon footprint. Repurposing is just one of those steps that can be easily taken to help save our planet. 

 

First of all, what does ‘repurpose’ mean?

Repurposing means adapting the use of something to suit a different/new purpose. 

We think this is fantastic because this means less landfill - and, did you know that waste is responsible for nearly 10% of the world’s carbon footprint?

 

Why should we repurpose?

Waste is responsible for a large part of our carbon footprint which is a large contributor to climate change, which is why repurposing is a great thing to do. Not only that, it’s a great way of saving money.

Our Ceramic Bird Pots

We aim to design our ceramics to be multi-functional and long lasting. One of our newest products is our small and large air plant birds/bird match pots which you can check out here, both of which can be reused or repurposed for a multitude of uses.

If you want it to still resemble a bird’s plumage, why not use it as a cotton bud holder in your bathroom? Or perhaps a pencil holder on your desk? Their simple design means you can get creative with a variety of different items to make its tail feathers.

Alternatively, if you’re not too fussed about doing this, you can simply use the pot to hold bits and bobs like paper clips, elastic bands and any other little things you tend to use.

 

What else can you repurpose?

Here are some ideas for repurposing the ceramics we’ve made in ways you might not have thought of (this also applies to all ceramics, not just ours!):

For example, it’s easy to look at a mug or a tumbler and just think its only purpose is for drinking from, but due to their hearty volume they make good pen pots, paintbrush pots or even to hold your toothbrushes.

Match pot

The match pot can be inevitably filled with matches again and again which you can also repurchase from our website here. Matches are better than using a lighter because they are made from biodegradable materials like wood, whereas lighters tend to be made from plastic.

Or, if you fancy repurposing it like the bird air plant holder, you can easily peel off the striker pad on the base and turn it into a little vase.

If you want to change up its use, you could use it as a pen pot in your office, a small utensil holder in your kitchen or even as a mini plant pot.

Oil Pourer

It’s easy to assume that the ceramic oil pourer is only useful for dispensing liquid, but what about repurposing it as a contemporary dried/flower vase? You can simply remove the steel pourer and fill the top with your choice of flowers. The bottle works on its own as a piece of contemporary decor and could also look great as a display piece in your home. Check out our oil pourers here.

Ceramic Flowers

Our ceramic flowers may seem pretty niche, but the malleable copper wire and simple design makes them easy to repurpose in a number of ways. Check out our flowers here.

• Wedding or party favour

• Wedding/Bridesmaid bouquet 

• Wedding table decoration

• Vase decorations

• Contemporary Wreath

• Wrapping decorations

 

What if it’s broken beyond purpose?

If you have something that is no longer repairable or reusable, why not have a go at getting creative yourself? Great ways to use broken ceramics are to make unique mosaic pieces.

If you want an example of a particular mosaic piece we did then you can check out our mini tutorial on our Instagram here: @habulousceramics

A mosaic artist we really admire is Emily Lawlor ‘China Jack’. We love the way she reuses vintage china, in particular pieces with elements of gold and silver, to create unique pieces of art. Her main inspiration is birds and capturing the detail of their wings through texture, colour and light from the china scraps she finds.

Upcycling is at the heart of Emily’s work, working with reclaimed china where possible, as well as using china that is at the end of its functional life to give it a totally new lease of life through her incredible craftsmanship.

We highly recommend you take a look at Emily’s work below or check out her Instagram: @chinajackmosaics

We all know it can be really hard to buy for the men in your life, that’s why we have compiled this list with our top suggestions of British handmade products that are sure to impress. So, if you are looking for a unique thoughtful gift, look no further than our list of eco conscious products handmade in the UK.

 

Why Choose Handmade Products?

1. They're unique and one-of-a-kind. No two handmade products are exactly alike, so you can be sure that your gift will be special.
2. Our selection of handmade products are made with high-quality materials and craftsmanship. This means that they're built to last, which in turn leads to less waste and helps lower our carbon footprint.
3. When you buy from a British artisan, you're helping to create jobs and boost our economy.

 

For the Creative

Tom’s Studio

 

These wonderful pens by Tom’s Studio are a masterful design. Tom’s mission is to create beautiful and innovative tools that empower people to pursue their goals, personal wellbeing & creativity whilst leaving the planet better than we found it. And, the best bit is that Tom’s pens are all refillable.

Refillable Writing Pen £55

Instagram: @tomstudio

For the Functional Minimalist 

Minustudio.co

 

At Minustudio.co each wallet is crafted by hand with care by Carmina, using the finest materials available and employing techniques that have been tested for centuries by generations of leather artisans.  

Slim Leather Wallet £24
Instagram: @minustudio.co

 

For the Plant Lover 

Habulous Ceramics 

 

Our best selling Jellyfish Air Plants just had to be included. These joyful handmade creatures are easy to keep and will definitely raise a smile when gifted. We offer a variety of plants and shell colours to choose from so it will fit in with your decor, but also stand out due to its unique design.

Jellyfish Air Plants £16.99-£22.99
Instagram: @habulousceramics 

Check them out here

For the Art Lover 

Elleve Art 

 

Devon-based artist Ellie Eveleigh paints miniature to large scale nostalgic moments, focussing on natural, urban and ocean landscapes, typically with emotive sunsets or deep night skies. A perfect keepsake to decorate your home and bring memories to life.

Miniature Paintings £45+, Comissions sizes and prices vary
Instagram: @elleveart

 

For the Cook

Rosie Brewer 

 

Beautifully crafted functional items, handmade by the talented Rosie, in the Wilds of Devon.  Every item crafted from sustainably sourced wood, in a minimalist and considered style. We love the character of each piece.

Spatula £15.00
Instagram: @rosiethebrewer

 

For the Office 

Habulous Ceramics

 

A contemporary desk tidy/pen pot handcrafted from stoneware clay in our Dartmoor studio. Great to keep favourite pens to hand, and stop bits and bobs like paperclips from going missing!

Desk Tidy £30
Check it out here

 

For the Ocean Lover

Behaviour Change Cornwall 

 

Behaviour Change Cornwall is all about positive change. They recover ghost fishing nets and ocean plastic and recycle into creations such as bracelets. Their work is all about positively impacting and creating clean and healthy seas, and creating stylish jewellery in the process.

Ghost fishing line bracelet £19.99
Instagram @behaviourchangecornwall

 

Standout Keyrings

LG Leatherworks

 

Luxury hand stitched leather created by Louise in her shepherd’s hut on the edge of Dartmoor, these crafted keyrings are perfect for people who want to get away from fast fashion and spend on heirloom products made to last - and keep all their keys organised!

Leather key fob £25.00
Instagram: @lgleather

 

For the Kitchen

Habulous Ceramics 

 

Whether you love keeping your kitchen looking smart or enjoy cooking, our oil pourer bottle and herb shredder bowl are both practical as well as stylish pieces that can keep work surfaces tidy and meal prepping more enjoyable. 

Oil Pourer £36

Herb Bowl £25

British handmade products are the perfect gifts for men who appreciate quality, uniqueness, and support for their local community. With so many great options to choose from, you're sure to find the perfect gift for any of the men in your life. Check out their Instagrams linked below each image.

Have you ever seen someone's home decor and instantly felt super inspired to steal a few of their ideas? Chances are, they've included handmade ceramics in the mix – an effortless way to bring elegance and longevity into any space. If you're wondering why we suggest these items should be on your wishlist, here are five must-know reasons:

Quality

Handcrafted stoneware and pottery is delicately formed with the most superior materials, ensuring a remarkable level of detail. What's more, since these pieces are handmade they tend to be much tougher than pre-made items from stores – meaning you can enjoy them for years on end as the exquisite details stand up against time and everyday use better than mass-produced goods.

Unique

Unlike mass-produced items, they offer an aesthetic charm as every handcrafted piece is unique, made with genuine care and attention to detail – meaning no two items will ever be identical. This individual art form adds a personal touch to your home interior style, making these pieces timeless investments that will be treasured for years to come.

Supporting Local Artisans

By purchasing, you are directly supporting local artisans and their craftsmanship. Buying from independent makers ensures that your money is going towards something which has been made with passion and dedication - while also helping to sustain the handcrafted industry.

Sustainable Living

If you are looking to promote a more eco-friendly lifestyle, Habulous has the ideal solution for you. Our handcrafted stoneware provides excellent durability and is free from harsh toxins or chemicals that could be damaging to your health or our environment. As opposed to mass-produced items which require regular replacement, these pieces can last years with proper care - making them an infinitely better decision in terms of both cost and sustainability!

Great Gifts

The perfect gift idea? We think your friends and loved ones will love it, especially those with a love for art and design! Whether it's an ornamental vase or dinnerware set, handmade gifts just make it feel that little bit more thoughtful, a fabulous gift that makes the recipient happy - Habulous right..?

At Habulous, we believe in the power of handmade ceramics, and how investing in these pieces can bring joy to any home. Our designs are crafted with the utmost care, bringing you pieces that will serve as cherished keepsakes for many years to come. From young to old, these timeless treasures can be enjoyed by all generations and passed through your family for years ahead.

So what are you waiting for? Shop Habulous today and find your perfect piece!

Is your air plant turning brown? Do the tendrils look a little worse for wear? Well we’re here to help and give you the best advice for looking after or reviving your air plant.

We have done extensive research on air plant care and have recommended what we believe are the most common and important care tips. From our own experience with air plant care, we have found that you need to do what works for you in your environment. So, it is important to allow your plant to adjust to your own home and then refer to the advice once you get an idea of what your air plant needs.

 

FIRSTLY, YOUR AIR PLANT MIGHT NOT ACTUALLY BE DYING

Browning on the tips of air plant tendrils is actually very common and not always a sign of poor health. This tends to be common with varieties that have thinner, more delicate tendrils such as the Ionantha, Filifolia and Argentea (which you can see here in our Whale Air Plant Holders) and can sometimes be caused by the tendrils being slightly damaged (which unfortunately can’t always be avoided in the post).

Browning at the base of some air plant species is a part of their natural colouring (e.g. Juncifolia), whereas with some species (e.g. Ionantha) it is a sign of rot or drying out from lack of water. It might even be a good idea to compare photos of your plant with healthy ones online to see whether the colouring of your plant is natural or indicative of poor health.

With any singular leaves that have browned, you can gently peel these off the plant to allow the healthy ones more exposure underneath.

NUTRIENTS

If your plant’s green leaves are turning yellow or producing brown spots, this can be a sign of too many or a lack of nutrients. The best thing you can do for this is check their position to see whether they’re getting enough indirect light, or purchase special air plant fertiliser spray which contains the necessary nutrients. Even though it’s tempting to overspray the plant with this, it’s actually better to only give it a light spray, however more frequently if the plant is in need of revival.

WATER TYPE SENSITIVITY

It is recommended that your air plants are watered/soaked with natural rainwater, although, understandably, this isn’t as convenient as getting water from your tap. However, if you live in an area with hard water, this can do more harm than good to your plant. Hard water contains chemicals such as fluoride, chlorine, calcium and magnesium, which for obvious reasons aren’t ideal for your plant to consume too much of!

What you can do is simply leave the tap water out for a day or so to allow the majority of the chemicals to evaporate before watering. Or, alternatively, a water purifier can also do the job of softening the water.

UNDERWATERING

Like all plants, air plants need frequent watering, such as misting and bathing. If your plant looks or feels especially dry, then it’s likely it isn’t being watered frequently enough. A general recommendation for most air plants is a weekly misting and monthly soak, especially for plants with finer tendrils such as Juncifolia and Filifolia that can’t hold as much water.

It is also essential the water you’re soaking or misting the plant with isn’t ice cold, so it’s best to leave the water until it reaches room temperature before watering to prevent any shock.

OVERWATERING

Typically, air plants can be over-watered too! As they naturally grow in fairly dry and hot climates, they wouldn’t be used to excessive watering in the wild. Air plants with bigger and/or thicker tendrils, such as Caput and Capitata Peach, have a larger area to absorb water, so they don’t need as much as air plants with finer tendrils, such as Filifolia, Argentea, Juncifolia and Ionantha. If your air plant’s leaves are turning yellow, this can be a sign of overwatering, so it’s important to find the right balance for your plant.

POSITION

Air plants flourish best in bright areas with indirect sunlight. The browning on the leaves can be a sign of sunburn if the plant is in direct sunlight for too long. If you water your plant and dry it in the sun, this can be equally damaging for the plant, so always aim to let the plant air dry.

It is also important to consider the angle of the plant whilst you’re watering it. It’s best to dip-soak the tendrils in water and not the bulb. This is because with varieties of air plants that have hollow bulbs, such as Caput and Juncifolia, water may become trapped and cause the plant to rot from the inside.

ENVIRONMENT

As you’ve most likely received your plant in the post or have bought it from a shop, its environment may have changed suddenly which can cause stress to the plant as it tries to adjust to its new surroundings. Usually the plant will adjust within a week or two.

Temperature can really affect your plant’s health. Even a slight wind chill through a window or an AC unit can be damaging. The ideal environment for a plant is somewhere with warmth and humidity, such as a bathroom, kitchen or conservatory. Our jellyfish look especially good hanging in the bathroom!

In general, whilst you are allowing a plant to recover, it’s a good idea to move it from the previous spot it was in to allow it to ‘rest’, but still allow it to receive enough light without being in direct sunlight. 

Check out our other blogpost Meet Your Air Plant to learn about the nature of your air plant species and its specific care.

Our air plant holders: Original Turquoise Jellyfish, Stone Jellyfish, Birds, Whales, 5 A Day

What makes a hot drink special? Is it the beverage itself? The comforting feeling of being snuggled under a blanket or tucked on the sofa? It’s certainly all those things, but the mug itself truly makes the experience.

After months of experiments with different glazes, clays and styles, we are really excited to share our new Stone Series mug with you. There’s a gorgeous matte-satin Off-White, Light Yellow, Pale Pink, Cornflower Blue and Mint Green. What we love about this mug in particular is the combination of the clay texture with the soft glaze; the glaze is thick enough to feel luxurious yet thin enough to let the speckled character of the clay show through.

Now to the most important part - what’s it like to drink from? Firstly, the carefully pulled handle is a comfortable fit for your fingers, making the mug extra huggable and the glaze is soft against your lips when you go to take a sip. The subtle flared design of the mug itself means it can hold a hearty amount of liquid (around 400ml!) so when you’re enjoying your cuppa it lasts that extra bit longer. Due to its generous volume, flared shape and the nature of ceramic and glaze, the liquid also maintains its temperature better - no one likes a tepid tea!

Drinking from something that is both functional and a piece of art makes the experience just that extra bit more special. Not only are you getting a long-lasting product for your personal enjoyment but at the same time you’re supporting a small business. So go on, treat yourself and kick back and relax with a handcrafted mug, designed with thought and made with care.

We’ve recently had our Stone Series tested and it has all successfully passed Food Safety requirements - yay! We can’t wait for you to enjoy diving in and dining with this beautiful range of ceramics.