I’m Sam. I throw every piece myself.

I’ve always loved making things, and for the last six years pottery is the craft I keep coming back to. Most of what I make is functional ware: the mugs, cups and bowls that end up in everyday use. There’s something I really like about that, a handmade piece quietly becoming part of someone’s morning. It doesn’t need to be precious, just good to hold and good to use.

I work from a home studio in Auckland. Nearly everything starts on the wheel: I throw in stoneware, which has a satisfying weight to it and a speckled surface that plays well with layered glazes. After throwing, each piece dries slowly before trimming, then goes through a bisque firing before the glaze is applied and it goes back into the kiln for the final firing.

For the last couple of years I’ve been making my own glazes rather than using commercial ones. It means more testing and more failed batches, but also more range. I keep notes on every test, but glaze chemistry is unpredictable enough that the kiln still surprises me. Colours shift depending on application thickness, proximity to other pieces, and how hot the firing ran. I’ve come to think of that variability as a feature. No two pieces come out exactly the same, which is part of what makes handmade ceramics worth having.

All the functional ware is made from food-safe stoneware and built to be used. Mugs go in the dishwasher. Bowls hold up. I’m also open to commissions for mugs, cups and bowls in small runs or as one-offs. If you’re after something specific, the best way to get in touch is through Instagram at @sam.pots.nz.