Most people don’t think a lot about the mug they drink their morning coffee out of, or the plates they eat they’ve eaten their dinners off of for the last five years. The team at Humble Ceramics, however, is trying to make us more mindful about just what we’re eating off of, where it comes from, and the impact it can have on your life and the environment.
Humble is a company that is all about bringing mindfulness and art into the creation of simple, unabashedly flawed pottery. They don’t mind when something they make has an inconsistency. In fact, Humble hopes that you find joy in the flaws and imperfections and how they create a more unique, meaningful piece.
They explain this through the Japanese concept of Wabi-Sabi, defined by Robyn Griggs Lawrence as “the art of finding beauty in imperfection and profundity in earthiness, of revering authenticity above all.” Every year, they sell pieces that are warped, cracked or otherwise “imperfect” in a Wabi-Sabi sale.
There isn’t a lot of thought on the consumer’s end about the effect that ceramics have on the environment. While ceramics are made of earth materials, what many don’t think about is the glaze. There can be harmful chemicals in pottery glazes, even lead, that can leach into food and eventually into the environment.
The glaze also means that it can take several centuries for the pottery to break down. Humble clearly states which of their products have been made with a food-safe glaze or not, so that you can be confident that your product is safe to use for eating or drinking, or whether it would be better left to hold a bouquet.
Creating pottery and ceramics also requires a lot of heat. The use of kilns requires an enormous amount of energy, with them needing to reach sometimes thousands of degrees. Some pieces also need to be fired twice, increasing the need for energy When the energy used comes from fossil fuels, this is a hefty environmental price tag to pay for a cup or a plate.
However, Humble Ceramics currently uses 100% clean electricity, which is sourced from wind and hydro power. Coupled with the fact that ceramic making is still less energy-intensive than making glass, Humble Ceramics is a top choice for environmentally responsible pottery.
And if you thought that was it for Humble’s commitment to sustainability, there’s more. All packaging is biodegradable, and the shipping process is carbon neutral. They use eco-friendly cleaners, soaps and products in their offices, and they don’t even have hot water! This and many other recycling and reuse projects have shown Humble’s commitment to creating a truly eco-friendly brand, with the future goal to be a 95% sustainable company.
Humble also does a lot of work in their community. As an entirely female-owned company in South Los Angeles, they contribute to the Los Angeles Fire Department, Los Angeles Mission and the Los Angeles Community Action Network, among many others. One charity that they hold close to their heart is the Akasa Community Outreach Program, which provides a wellness curriculum in low-income schools in Los Angeles. It emphasizes awareness, experiential learning and the emotional and physical wellbeing of students. Because of their commitment to mindfulness, sustainability and healing, this is the perfect program for Humble to support.
With so much to say about Humble Ceramic’s vision on sustainability, community involvement and mindfulness, there is so much more to say in terms of the beauty and simplicity of their designs. Humble Ceramics sells everything from plates, cups and vases to lamps, mortars and pestles and so much more. In beautiful earthy colours and glazes, there is a piece for every taste. Their minimalist construction and understated beauty lends itself to creating products that can be a centrepiece in your everyday life.
All images in this article are courtesy of Humble.
