HANDS OF CREATION
What’s your message in clay?
Amid the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it’s easy to forget the power of connection—the invisible threads that tie us to one another, even across distances. This year, we wanted to remind our partners around the world that while each of us is unique, together we are part of a shared story.
That’s why we partnered with Jolanta from jo.teapottery , a ceramic artist who works with the most expressive tools we all share: hands.
Her 150 handcrafted mugs, now in your hands, symbolize something deeper than a beautiful object. They reflect the friendships, partnerships and companionships that unite us all.
For Jolanta, crafting 150 mugs for this project was a deeply personal journey. Every curve, every glaze, every imperfection tells a story. Not just of the clay, but of the hands that shaped it and connections it was made to create.
Story behind the story
Each mug carries a single word pressed into the clay, part of a larger story shared across 150 recipients. Together, these mugs form a tapestry of meaning, representing the uniqueness of individuals and the strength of community.
“Each word is meaningful on its own, but together, they tell a story of our shared vision.”
just with one another, but also with our clients and partners. It’s this shared sense of purpose and values that drives us forward. To honor these bonds, we wanted to create something meaningful—something that celebrates both individuality and community.
About the creator: from Japan to Jolanta’s studio. A journey of inspiration.
“I never set out to be a ceramic artist,” Jolanta shares with a laugh. “It just found me at a time when I needed it most.” Her artistic journey began not with clay, but with a steaming cup of Japanese tea. Drawn to the elegance of Japanese tea culture, Jolanta fell in love with its rituals and aesthetics.
“It’s not just about the drink. It’s about everything around it—the history, the traditions, the quiet moments and connections it creates.”
Eager to immerse herself in this culture, Jolanta explored many museums in London, delving into collections of Japanese, Chinese, and Korean ceramics. She devoured books on the subject, studying its history and meaning. Back in Lithuania, she sought out a master potter trained in Japan to learn the techniques and philosophy behind handcrafted ceramics.
Her most inspiring moment came when she attended a tea ceremony in a traditional Japanese tea house.
“The deliberate movements, the serene environment, and the sense of shared presence—it felt like time slowed down. Every sip, every motion, every detail was intentional.
It showed me how hands can create not just objects, but rituals that connect people, no matter where they are. I knew I wanted to bring that same energy into my work.”
Each mug crafted by Jolanta from jo.teapottery is one of the kind, just like each of us.
“The first mug I made was far from perfect. It was crooked and awkward, but I loved it. That’s when I realized imperfection and uniqueness are part of the beauty.”
Jolanta’s creative process is meditative and organic, a dance between her hands and the clay. “I don’t follow templates. I let the clay guide me. Even if I start with the same amount of clay, no two mugs turn out the same. That’s the magic of it—they’re as unique as the people who will one day hold them.”
Gift of Partnership
This holiday season, as you hold one of Jolanta’s mugs in your hands, let it serve as a gentle reminder that we are all part of something larger.
Each of us brings our unique touch, our vision, and our creativity to a shared purpose.
Here’s to the silent language of hands and to the partnerships and friendships that unite us!
