I’m an Amateur Potter, and I'm Eyeing These Striking Ceramic Bowls, Plates, and Mugs, From $10

Whether you regularly host dinner parties or enjoy cooking at home, fine ceramic dinnerware can elevate any meal or gathering. As someone who takes weekly pottery classes, I’d like to think I have an eye for picking out high-quality plates, bowls, and cups that are as eye-catching as they are durable.

Personally, I draw inspiration for my own pottery from the stunning dinnerware made by my favorite brands, like East Fork and Haand. Whether you’re looking for a brand-new ceramic dinnerware set or a couple of pieces to make your tablescape more festive, these are the striking dishes that are currently on my wish list — starting at $10.

Potter-Approved Ceramic Dishes

• Haand Ripple Breakfast Bowl, $37 with code HearthGlow 24, originally $44 at haand.us
• The Rowen Portuguese Stoneware Nut Bowl, $12 at anthropologie.com
• East Fork The Mug, $44 at eastfork.com
• Dansk Haldan Stoneware Dinner Plate, $10 at food52.com
• Haand 8-Ounce Cloudware Short Mug, $34 with code HearthGlow 24, originally $47 at haand.us
• Personal Best Ceramics Wave Small Bowl $49 at westelm.com
• Sarah Kersten Classic Ceramic Ramen Bowl, $48 at food52.com
• Farmhouse Pottery Silo Tumbler, $42 at anthropologie.com
• A Question of Eagles Handmade Ceramic Holding Mugs, Set of 2, $90 at food52.com

Haand 3-Piece Ripple Dinner Setting

Haand’s Ripple line offers elegance and whimsy in its irregularly shaped plates and bowls, which makes them a fit for either a weeknight meal or a festive dinner party. You can choose from 11 colors and four sizes of sets, ranging from three to seven pieces. I’m impressed by the speckling of the Birch color and the dynamic Burl color which almost makes the dinnerware set look like tarnished copper.

The Rowen Portuguese Stoneware Nut Bowl

If you’re looking for a small bowl to go on a charcuterie board or a cute host gift for the next dinner party you attend, this petite nut bowl from Anthropologie can get the job done. The stoneware bowl is made in Portugal and priced at just $12 in four color options: ivory, navy, maize, and dark turquoise. The design is simple yet classic, and everyone can use a small bowl for serving dips, cashews, and other snacks and appetizers. 

East Fork The Mug

East Fork’s functional ceramics are known for their minimal designs and simple, beautiful glazes. (They’re the makers of some of our favorite pasta bowls, the Everyday Bowls, for a reason.) Arguably the small business’ most iconic piece, The Mug isn’t badly priced compared to a mass-manufactured mug, considering that it’s a s a high-quality U.S.-made piece of pottery. I love the hefty, smooth design of The Mug and how it showcases the raw clay at the bottom and on the rim of the cup. You can choose between five core colors and three seasonal options, like my favorite Big Sky.

Dansk Haldan Stoneware Dinner Plate

Dansk is a highly collectible kitchen and home brand that dates back to 1954. Loved for its Scandinavian-inspired designs and brightly colored enameled cookware, Dansk also makes casual, minimalist dinnerware. The plates in the brand’s Haldan collection are based on a 1977 design by a Danish ceramicist and have a beautiful sheen of color from top to bottom. If you want beauty and function, add these eye-popping periwinkle plates to your dinnerware rotation.

Haand 8-Ounce Cloudware Short Mug

Inspired by the look of a classic tin camping mug, the Haand Cloudware Short Mug gets its cloud-like marbling by blending white and blue clay. Handmade in the U.S., the mug has an 8-ounce capacity, perfect for a flat white or cappuccino. From the vibrant mix of clay to the angular handle, this piece is sure to be a conversation starter.

Personal Best Ceramics Wave Serving Bowl

In my opinion, one of the most exciting aspects of pottery is playing with glaze (the often colorful glassy coating added to clay), and this bowl from Personal Best Ceramics is a wonderful example. The paintbrush-like strokes on the exterior of the bowl create a peekaboo effect, revealing the earthy clay beneath the marbled blue and white glaze. This striking piece would look beautiful on a table or counter while serving a leafy green salad or fruit.

Sarah Kersten Classic Ceramic Ramen Bowl

I love the simplicity of this hand-fired ramen bowl made by California-based Sarah Kersten Studio. The white glazed interior of the bowl elegantly contrasts the unglazed exterior, drawing your eye to the texture of the natural clay. It’s the perfect size for a hot bowl of ramen, a big leafy green salad, or another type of cozy soup. You can also grab matching dinner plates, salad plates, dessert bowls, breakfast bowls, and sets.

Farmhouse Pottery Silo Tumbler

Made by Vermont-based brand Farmhouse Pottery, this charming ceramic cup has an interesting ribbed texture that makes it easy to grip. I especially love the rustic look of the white glaze and raw clay. This wheel-thrown tumbler brings to mind chilled lemonade on a sunny day, and it’s stackable if you have more than one.

A Question of Eagles Handmade Ceramic Holding Mugs, Set of 2

This pair of mugs immediately caught my eye with their energetic splattering of glaze and handless shape. Taking inspiration from Western scenery and pottery of the ‘60s and ‘70s, you can see the gritty, natural clay texture highlighted in the exterior of the mugs, which are under $50 apiece. Elevate your everyday coffee or pour a holiday cocktail in this stunning silhouette.