The Midnight Heart — Handcrafted Stoneware Mug

A single heart sits on the front of this mug, left as bare, sandy stoneware against a deep matte-black glaze. Nothing is painted on: the heart is simply the clay itself, showing through where the glaze was held back, so you can feel its slightly rough texture under your thumb. A matching band of raw clay runs around the base, and a chunky round ring handle gives the whole mug a bold, cheerful outline.

Each mug is handcrafted from stoneware and glazed black inside for a smooth, easy-to-clean finish, while the outside keeps its soft, velvety matte feel. Look closely and you'll see the fine speckle of the clay body in the heart and base, with small variations in the edges of the heart from one mug to the next, because every piece is finished by hand. The straight, slightly tapered body sits steady on a desk or bedside table, and the round handle takes a full grip.

It's the sort of mug that becomes someone's favourite: a morning coffee, an evening hot chocolate, a cup of tea handed over without needing to say much. It makes an easy gift for a partner, a friend or anyone who deserves a little love in their day. Buy one, or a pair for two.