I’m exposed to a ton of kitchenware in my profession. Whether I’m out photographing a restaurant, or at home styling a recipe for a post, I handle unique plates, bowls, glassware, mugs, and utensils of all shapes and sizes, practically on a daily basis. And I can tell you in all honesty, it’s rare that I come across pieces as exquisitely crafted, in both form and function, as Luvhaus and Totem. I first met Shawn (Luvhaus) and Julia (Totem) through our mutual friend Leslie. To my delight, Shawn and Julia share a studio right here in my hometown, Berkeley, CA. Additionally, Shawn teaches workshops at the Berkeley Potters Studio, which is also where his soda kiln resides. If you aren’t familiar with soda firing, it’s a process where liquified soda carbonate is sprayed into the kiln at 2,280° F through ports on each side. It’s pretty freaking cool, and it’s the reason behind many of the stunning glazes you’ll find on Luvhaus tumblers. Given that each soda firing is a unique and organic process, each mug is one-of-a-kind. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a type of creative art or design that Julia doesn’t have her handprints all over, but at Totem the focus is on homeware and jewelry. I’m not sure why, but holding a piece from Totem feels like you’re holding a piece of the earth. The shape, weight, and texture all feel so natural in hand. Apparently I’m not the only one to think so – being that each piece is handcrafted, it can be difficult to keep items in stock. To enter to win this unique set, simply leave a comment below and a random winner will be selected on Thursday, December 15th. Good luck!! *Limited to U.S. and Canada residents only. ** CONTEST CLOSED. CONGRATULATIONS EMILY G.**
(Two ceramic tumblers from Luvhaus, one brass coffee spoon and one ceramic pitcher from Totem; images by HoneslyYUM)
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