6 Valentine's Day Gifts for Potters & Pottery Students: Thoughtful Ideas from DIY to Small Business Finds
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner… and it’s time to show your pottery-loved one some love!
Last Valentine’s Day, I spent most of the day on the pottery wheel, throwing to Teddy Swim’s “I Lose Control” on repeat a bajillion times (this is not hyperbolic, the song was my #2 on my Spotify for 2024 – after Taylor Swift).
And, pray tell, what better audience to belt out “you make a mess of meeeeee!” than my trusty Shimpo? I mean, Teddy definitely had the pottery wheel in mind when he wrote, “when I'm with you, I'm an addict.” Facts.
While my kiln fired a few feet away to keep me warm from the chill of my uninsulated garage, as the song did its sexy R&B and soul thing (iykyk), I kept imagining myself looking suuuuper fine – insert fire emoji here – like all those feisty model throwers on IG and TikTok getting all the likes.
Let’s be clear, no one naturally pouts their lips or smiles like Dua Lipa when throwing on the wheel. And I definitely did not look close to any of those one-chili-pepper level of spice videos (I’m a proud goofball), but I was feeling lovely and loved, and isn’t that what Valentine’s Day is all about?
Whether your sweetheart is a seasoned potter or a pottery student who’s still mastering the art of centering clay, this blog post is for the lovers out there who want to make their beloved potter’s hearts spin.
I’ve curated some do-it-yourself gifts and some small business gifts (the big ones make millions already, so I’ve kept their shout-outs to a minimum this time).
Here are 6 all-gender gifts to say “I get fired up just thinking about you”:
Say ILY with DIY: Give the potter in your life something as unique and special as their handmade creations (got to love all those early days pots, am I right?).
1) A Massage
Potters use their bodies in repetitive and often physically demanding ways, which can lead to muscle tension and strain.
If you have the skills (because a bad massage is a terrible gift, sorry), grab a favorite massage oil (like this set from Hayberwood LLC on Etsy) and give your potter a solid hour long full-body massage.
Areas to target: Hands and fingers, wrists and forearms, shoulders and upper back, lower back (this is a primo location to focus on if they are wheel-throwers), neck, hips, legs, and feet.
2) A Little Figurine Kiln God or Kiln Fairy
Allow me to take a moment and share a little history (I used to teach high school Humanities, so I love a good story…you’re welcome!).
Potters have long revered “kiln gods” and “kiln fairies” as protective mythological entities to ensure successful firings and safeguard their creations.
This happy crocodile I made is named Crosby!
Supposedly, this tradition dates back to ancient times, where offerings were made to these deities for good luck and the safekeeping of pots (apparently, today in Europe, people sometimes sacrifice cigarettes to the kiln gods, classic!).
In Chinese culture, kiln gods are specific to each area, and these deities are honored and worshipped in formal ceremonial ways. According to myth, in Jingdezhen, China’s porcelain capital, T’ung Bun (whose deity name is Feng Huo Hsein or "Genius of the Fire Blast”) self-immolated (another possibility is that he fell into the kiln) to ensure all of the porcelain would come out perfect to save his fellow workmen from the emperor’s likely punishment if it didn’t.
In modern times, while some potters continue formal practices to honor the kiln gods as a nod to tradition, others do so more lightheartedly.
If your potter is the latter, consider making a whimsical guardian to watch over their firings! You can make it out of polymer clay, carve it out of wood, make it out of metal – get crafty! Bonus: it’s like a talisman of your love, and you can name it and give it some hobbies!
If you would rather purchase a figurine, or need some ideas, check out these Etsy shops:
California-based Wild Earth Sculpture (how cute are these hugging rattle snakes!)
Pennsylvania-based Pea Pod Potters (grumpy cat, anyone?)
Texas-based Claymore Sculptures (how about a strawberry ice cream dragon!)
Turkey-based The Story of June on Etsy (if you’re a fan of weird and interested in a humanoid alien-like pseudo frog…).
3) An Inspiration Jar
An inspiration jar is a cute gesture to help spark creativity when your potter’s in the studio.
Grab a recycled glass jar, some paper strips, and a pen. Write inspiring pottery-related quotes, maker prompts, or sketch ideas on each paper strip, fold them up, and fill the jar. I’ve put together some pottery project ideas you can print and cut out here if you need some help!
I recommend sprinkling in some love notes in there, too! Scroll to the end for some flirty pottery related ones you can use if you are feeling punny.
Of course, feel free to decorate the jar (I know I can’t resist a little glue gun magic moment).
Show Some Love for Small Businesses: Give the potter in your life something tangible and useful to remember you by every time they aren’t with you because they are doing pottery instead (ha!).
4) A Walking Apron
These 5-star reviewed maker-made split-leg aprons (which also come in pink if you really want to lean into some Valentine’s Day clichés) are the perfect union between utility and cheeky…
They are durable (like your relationship, perhaps?) and they also allow you to bare your derrière. I mean…
Orders ship in 3 weeks, so plan accordingly!
5) A Journal or Notebook
While potters mainly work with clay, a journal or notebook can come in rather handy for note-taking on glaze choices, writing “to make” lists, and sketching current and future ideas.
France-based Season Paper journals have lined, blank, and grid pages. Some also have Valentine’s Day appropriate names like “Amore Mio” and “Romance.”
For sustainable options, check out USA-based Decomposition Notebooks or Sweden-based Agood Company Notebooks (the paper is made from stone without deforestation, water waste, or harmful chemicals and it is smooth, waterproof, and tear-resistant, plus, they plant a tree with every sale!).
6) Hand Lotion or Scrub
How about something that smells nice and smoothes out those post-pottery time dry hands?
One of my small biz favorites is the Rose & Pink Salt Scrub from Massachusetts-based KT Creative Goods on Etsy. It exfoliates beautifully and smells like a dream – and roses are for everyone!
If you want to look at some bigger businesses, another romantic option is the Verbena, Lavender, & Rose gift set from Panier des Sens en Provençe (which you can also find on Amazon in Orange Blosson, Jasmine, and Geranium). More of a practical romantic? Go for O’Keefe’s Working Hands and a simple pair of cotton gloves to seal the moisture in at night.
Finally, no matter what you choose, remember your love note! For those of you who appreciate a little humor, try one of these sweet or spicy phrases:
"You’re kiln it!"
“We go together like scratch and attach.”
"Let’s make a coil pot of memories—one love loop at a time."
"I love you to the moon (jar) and back."
“Throwing a lot of love your way!”
“You complete me. Without you, I’d just be reclaim.”
"You’re the handle to my mug—perfectly made for me."
“My eyes never glaze over with you.”
“I’d carve out time for you any day.”
"You’re un-bowl-ievably sexy.”
“Pinch me like one of your pots.”
"You’re so hot, you could turn clay into bisqueware."
“Shall we slip and score?”
"Let’s turn up the heat—this kiln’s ready for action."
“I’d cone up for you.”
I’m not getting any affiliates from any of the businesses listed above except for Amazon and Blick.com. If you are reading this, please go with the small businesses if you can! As an itty bitty business myself, we can use ALL the love this season.
