What’s In and Out for Pottery in 2025: A Series of Fortunate Clay Events

Ah, March. Here in Murrumbateman, the air is crisp, the trees are flirting with autumn’s warm tones, and my hands? Well, they’re still permanently dusted with a fine layer of clay. It’s the kind of month that transitions us from iced lattes to comforting mugs of tea, from breezy summer dresses to the coziest of oversized cardigans. Life’s no longer about pretending we’ve got it all together (because, let’s face it, we don’t), but embracing the beauty in the perfectly imperfect, warm chaos of it all. It’s mild chaos but with great lighting.

Since everyone and their dog seems to have an In & Out list for everything from food trends to fashion fails, why not apply it to pottery? Consider this your ultimate guide to what’s kiln-fired hot (and, well, what’s gently cooling off in 2025).

Let’s dive into the clay-splattered, pottery-loving, artisan-appreciating list of what's in and what's out this year.

IN: Handbuilt Pieces That Tell a Story

OUT: Mass-Produced “Handmade” that’s Actually Factory-Made

You know the difference. One is made with love, time, and possibly a few mild existential crises in the studio. The other is churned out in a factory and somehow still costs the same as that one-off artisanal piece from your local maker (who’s probably been up all night firing it in a kiln—bless). If it doesn’t have a backstory involving a failed first attempt or an uneven rim that the artist secretly adores, do you even want it?

Handbuilding is about bringing a little part of yourself into your work, one carefully shaped lump of clay at a time. And that, my friends, is what keeps it real.

IN: Cups Without Handles (Hello, Sensory Joy!)

OUT: Scalding Your Fingers on Cheap, Mass-Produced Mugs

Let’s be real: Drinking tea from a handmade, handle-free cup is not just an act, it’s a whole experience. You cradle that cup like it’s your favourite childhood teddy bear and take a sip with intention, basking in the comforting warmth. It’s a slow-down, take-a-breath ritual that makes your morning brew feel less like a rushed gulp between daycare drop-off and 9:00 a.m. emails, and more like something straight out of Gilmore Girls.

Also, how many of us really hold a cup by its handle anyway? The correct way? It’s both hands, people. One for the drink, one for the dreamy window stare as you pretend you’re in a Taylor Swift music video.

IN: Pottery That Makes You Feel Something

OUT: Pottery That Just… Exists

If your pottery doesn’t make you audibly sigh with appreciation, it’s a no from me. Think of it as the difference between looking at a plate that makes your dinner feel like a Michelin-star meal, versus a sad, flat, featureless plate that’s just... there.

Your pottery should add something to your everyday. Whether it’s a vase that brings life to your table, a mug that fits perfectly in your hands and in your heart, or a plate that makes you feel like you’re starring in a Donna Hay magazine spread—pottery should be a mini celebration of the simple joys in life.

IN: Making Something With Your Hands (Yes, Even if You Think You’re Bad at It)

OUT: Watching a Thousand Pottery Videos on Instagram and Never Trying It Yourself

Listen, I love a good pottery reel as much as the next person (who doesn’t enjoy watching someone turn a lump of clay into an intricate bowl like it’s no big deal?), but let’s be honest: At some point, you have to stop scrolling and start shaping.

Fire Up Fridays (my pottery workshops) are the perfect opportunity to dive in, clay-covered hands and all. It's all about getting messy, laughing when things go wonky (because they will), and rediscovering a part of yourself that got lost somewhere between spreadsheets, meal planning, and Peppa Pig reruns.

So, what are you waiting for? The clay’s waiting. (And yes, so is that perfect, perfectly lopsided mug.)

IN: Artisan Pieces That Make Your Home Feel Like You

OUT: Buying Decor That “Looks Nice” But Means Nothing

You’ve made it to that stage in life where every object in your home should mean something. You don’t need an army of mugs; you need three that actually feel like you. And those vases? They should come with a story, like the one you bought from a local artisan who poured their soul into every curve and glaze.

It’s not about being minimalist. It’s about intentionality. About filling your space with things that remind you of the beauty and meaning behind them, even if they are perfectly imperfect.

IN: Using the “good” pottery every day

OUT: Saving it for special occasions

Listen, potters want nothing more than for you to use the beautiful mug they made just for you. It was crafted with love, attention, and possibly a few exasperated sighs (as any potter knows, a good mug doesn’t always cooperate). Yes, you paid a fair price for that handmade beauty, and now it seems too precious to use. But that’s like buying a fabulous pair of shoes and only wearing them on Sundays... in the cupboard... wrapped in bubble wrap.

Your pottery isn’t just a decoration—it’s meant to be used! That handmade mug is just waiting to bring you joy every time you hold it, sip from it, and perhaps spill a little coffee on it (because that’s part of the charm, too). If it’s good enough to be made by hand, it’s good enough to be used—every day.

IN: Doing Something Creative Just for You

OUT: Feeling Guilty for Taking Time Away from Everything Else

If I had a dollar for every mum who’s ever told me, “I never do anything just for me,” I’d be sitting pretty in a pottery studio big enough for a kiln army. But here’s the thing: Creativity isn’t selfish. It’s not an indulgence. It’s how you reconnect with you—the version of you that existed before endless emails, Bluey marathons, and spreadsheets took over.

So, book that workshop. Take time for you. You deserve it. And, trust me, your creative soul will thank you.

Final Thoughts (Wrap-Up Like a 90s Sitcom)

2025 is the year of intention. It’s the year we invest in pottery that sparks joy, supports local makers, and brings real meaning into our lives. Whether you’re finally rolling up your sleeves to try pottery yourself, replacing that pile of mass-produced mugs with one beautifully handcrafted one, or simply finding time for some creative expression in your busy life—this year is all about embracing the beautifully imperfect.

So, let’s make it happen. If you need a place to start (or a reason to laugh at your very first wonky mug), my studio door is open. Your hands, my clay—let’s make something magical together.

And hey, when you make that first mug, and it doesn’t quite turn out the way you imagined, remember: That’s the beauty of the process. (Now, who’s up for a Taylor Swift lyric breakdown while we work?)

Until next time,
Your friendly homebody potter from Murrumbateman.