Make your everyday rituals extra beautiful with made-to-order mugs that feel good to hold and sculptural flower vases that brighten any space.
In our Featured Shop series, we shine a light on a standout shop from Etsy’s talented seller community, offering readers a behind-the-scenes look at their process and story. This month, it's all about artful ceramics from Mammoth & Minnow.
A vessel can be both functional and artful—something that ceramicist and well-rounded maker Mary Lee makes abundantly clear in her Etsy shop, Mammoth & Minnow. Inspired by ancient mythology, the cosmos, and rituals, Mary makes singular dishes and mugs and sculptural vases equally well-suited for everyday use or admiring on a shelf. She meticulously crafts each piece using her potter’s wheel and hand-building techniques, and her stunning collection of painted stoneware features her dad’s expert Chinese calligraphy brushwork. She notes, “I love being able to offer items that can bring a bit of joy to someone when they interact with it."
Though breathtaking pottery is the heart of her collection, Mary also makes elegant jewelry with shimmering freshwater pearls and creates adorable knit and crocheted accessories for kids. “I know this seems like an oddball assortment at first,” she says. But these other lines express her appreciation for joyful colors and sparkly materials, while giving her collection a gift shop vibe with a variety of options—all made with utmost care. “You could be looking for a pair of earrings to treat yourself and find a pair of crocheted booties for your best friend’s new baby, or a new centerpiece for your upcoming party.”
Read on to find out more about Mary’s process and explore the gorgeous Mammoth & Minnow collection—then join our celebration of more standout small shops.
SHOP: Aime Vase from Mammoth & Minnow, $268
SHOP: Loop mug from Mammoth & Minnow, $38
SHOP: Arch vase from Mammoth & Minnow, $195
SHOP: Peony vase from Mammoth & Minnow, $475
SHOP: Speckled farmhouse ceramic mug from Mammoth & Minnow, $58
Why Mammoth & Minnow should be on your radar
When you bring Mammoth & Minnow’s showstopping ceramics into your home, you’ll feel like you’ve won the pottery lottery. The inventive, organic forms with speckled earth-tone glazes and natural finishes beautifully enhance living spaces and elevate daily routines. The clean lines of each of Mammoth & Minnow's eye-catching vases give floral arrangements a gallery-worthy stage, and individually sculpted mugs turn tea time into an extra-special daily ritual that feels like a relaxing respite. Mary says, “I hope that people find the emotional equivalent of a big, deep, cleansing breath when they hold my work.”
Press play to see behind the scenes at Mammoth & Minnow:
The best pieces for memorable gifting
Mary recommends picking a “small indulgence” that your loved one would find useful and beautiful, but might not necessarily treat themselves to. She notes, “Dining and kitchenware are perpetually giftable because they are so closely associated with gatherings and celebration."
For a lovely housewarming or host gift, bring a coffee scoop, a custom pet bowl, or vase full of blooms. The popular saguaro cactus ring dish, inspired by a girls’ trip to Arizona, makes for a thoughtful present for jewelry lovers, newlyweds, or a chic desert aunt. “Customer reviews tell me that people find the ring dish very useful,” Mary says. “I often see gift messages highlighting a recipient’s connection to Arizona, one of the only places where saguaro cacti are native, or commemorating an engagement or marriage.”
SHOP: Cactus ring dish from Mammoth & Minnow, $36
SHOP: Ghost parade mug from Mammoth & Minnow, $45
SHOP: Ceramic scoop from Mammoth & Minnow, $34
SHOP: Blossom vase from Mammoth & Minnow, $168
SHOP: Coupe vase from Mammoth & Minnow, $135
In her own words
“I love when customers leave reviews that say their purchase looks even better in person. That’s the dream! One customer left a review saying that she gasped aloud when she opened her box, and that was so special for me to see. It never ceases to amaze me when someone decides to bring something of mine into their home. It’s an honor to think that I play a part in holding onto keepsakes, creating memories, or brightening their day.”
SHOP: Pedestal serving bowl with chains from Mammoth & Minnow, $288
Follow Mammoth & Minnow on Instagram.
Lifestyle photos by Tonje Thilesen. Product photography courtesy of Mammoth & Minnow.
Shop the Mammoth & Minnow collection
