Meet the makers: Earthenware artisans in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Smile Every Time You Walk By: How Our Ceramics Come to Life
At Jones & Co, our ethos is simple: we design pieces that make you smile every time you walk by. It's what gets us out of bed in the morning (well, that and coffee). That joyful spark is baked into everything we do - from cheeky planters to bold, hand-painted vessels.
Our earthenware ceramics were born from a desire to create shapes that spin beyond the limits of the potter’s wheel. When you embrace the moulded form, the possibilities multiply. A curved fish planter? A sculpted jug with a chunky handle and a life of its own? Suddenly, it’s all on the table - literally.
Each factory we partner with brings its own story and strengths. Different regions specialise in different types of clay, each with its own colour, texture, and firing temperament. That means collaborating with a new workshop doesn’t just expand our capacity - it unlocks an entirely new design vocabulary. One factory’s creamy bisque clay might inspire a playful stripey fish. Another’s deeper terracotta tone may become the perfect canvas for rich, earthy glazes. For us, this is where the magic happens.
Hand-Painting: An Artform Worth Celebrating
In our Vietnamese earthenware factory just outside Ho Chi Minh City, the atmosphere is one of organised creativity. It’s a vast and bustling space with dedicated zones for research and development, moulding, glazing, finishing, testing, and packing. But amidst the rhythmic buzz of the kilns and the shuffle of clay, there’s one area that feels almost reverent: the hand-painting tables.
Though the workforce is large, the number of artisans skilled in freehand brushwork is remarkably small. It’s a craft that takes years to master, and every year during Tết - the Vietnamese Lunar New Year - many workers return home to their provinces to celebrate with family. Convincing them to return after the festivities isn’t always easy. So when we say our painters are valued, we mean it deeply. Their work isn’t just decoration - it’s personality, story, and the heart behind our designs.
The Beauty of Imperfection
We celebrate the irregular. A brushstroke that dances slightly off-centre, or a flower petal that’s not quite symmetrical - that’s where the charm lives. Every mark is the result of a human hand, not a machine. And for us, that’s the whole point. These pieces are meant to feel alive. They're made to last a lifetime, and carry the quiet presence of the person who painted them.
So whether it’s a vibrant vase, a ditsy-floral planter, or a quirky incense holder that caught your eye, know this: it was imagined in Sydney, and brought to life with care, laughter, and artistry by our extended family of makers.
From our hands to yours - may it make you smile, every time you walk by.
