Hon's ultimate coffee experience; invest in great design and enjoy life in style.

Hon's designed Espresso cup & saucer and silver spoon (2005-6).
Manufactured in bone china in China of course.

This morning I woke up early, made coffee and saved face on the social network. I am not really into socialising on the internet and chatting on my cell. There, I have admitted to my antisocial behaviour. I prefer meeting my friends face to face for a drink and or a lunch and dinner. I enjoy cooking and entertaining; transforming life's mundane activities into memorable experiences. It is vital to see the meaning in the role of fine design, when wining and dining in-style. Enjoying a cup of coffee, one of life's habitual rituals, depends on a number of factors. Great coffee, fine utensils and served in a, I do dare say, well designed and or a handcrafted ceramic cup and saucer and or mug.

Mug by Clementina van der Walt (1988)
Stoneware thrown bowls by Kim Sacks (1987)

I am an early riser, especially over weekends (mainly Saturday mornings), it is an opportunity to spend quality time at home, listening to great music, whilst reading an inspirational book or my favourite magazine, Vanity Fair, adding to the feel good experience. For an ultimate coffee experience however, visit Bean There at Stanley 44, Johannesburg. 

It is vital to invest in utilitarian products that adds value to the home and contributes significantly to a memorable and authentic life experience. I gained knowledge in design, whilst doing research for the Ceramic Design honours program (the 4th year B Tech Ceramic Design specialization program); investigating and referencing cutting edge ceramic concepts and contemporary design development, for inclusion into learner guides and project briefs for aspiring ceramists.

Royal Albert Bone China England
Ebony-inlaid silver spoon, Benin West Africa.

When it comes to 21st-century consumption, value is no longer about the cost of a product but the worth it holds for each individual. As such, value luxury is measured not in material terms but in sentimental ones, with a shift towards more inconspicuous personal purchases where the pleasure, freedom and feelings a products gives us mean more than the price tag. An item may be the ultimate in bespoke or handmade by a friend - what they have in common is that they inspire an emotional attachment to something irreplaceable. (Cited in Elle Decoration, The New Luxury; November 2007, page 77)

Mugs by Clementina van der Walt (1988)
sugar bowl by Kim Sacks (1987)

Here are a number of my favourite ceramic cups and saucers, including mugs, that transforms drinking coffee into a memorable experience. The mugs are very special, they were the very first of Clementina van der Walt's production orientated ceramics; she designed them in 1988, by way of introduction, before she embarked on a career in studio ceramics in Paarl (in the Cape) visit her blog and website. They were thrown by Suzette Munnik (the then head of the Ceramic Department), the glaze was developed by Karin Boyum for the class of 1986 (a very special group of mature students that registered for the National Diploma in Ceramic Design at the time). The students desired the durability of stoneware and the bright colours of earthenware ceramics. Hence the development of the KB glaze (the initials of Karin Boyum) with colour stains, fired to 1186 degrees Celsius and decorated with sponged on and painted low fired on-glazes. The sugar spoon was a housewarming gift of Sue Sellschop, a dear friend and fellow ceramist (also one of the members of the class of 1986). The very thinly  thrown stoneware bowls were a gift from Kim Sacks in 1987.

Espresso cup and saucer, Designer Eugene Hon (2000-05)
Manufactured in bone china in China 2006.

Above is an image of my espresso cup and saucer, including a silver espresso spoon (shown in the title image). Designed between 2000 and 2005 and manufactured in bone china in China in 2006. These products are the first of many designs to feature on this blog in the future. I trust that  your will enjoy my interest in design and my range of products as much as you appreciated my ceramic art and sculptures. All images were styled and photographed by the blogger (unless otherwise indicated).

Espresso cup and saucer, Bone china 2006.
Designed by Eugene hon and manufactured in China of course.
UJ studio - photographer Jan.