Custom Ceramic Commissions and Brand Collaborations
I love bringing unique visions to life, whether it is a set of buttons for a designer label or a full tableware collection for a retail brand. Here is how I approach custom pottery projects.
A close-up of the finished custom ceramic buttons on a hand-stitched indigo shirt. It was so rewarding to see how they provided the perfect finishing touch.
The full set of 66 custom buttons scattered on the fabric they were designed for. Each one was handmade to match the client's specific vision.
A peek at the earthy, night-glazed tableware I created in collaboration with Lagavi. This was my largest production run to date, with 12 unique variants.
The studio table filled with dinner plates from the Lagavi collection. Seeing hundreds of uniform pieces ready to go is both daunting and incredibly satisfying.
An army of mugs for the Lagavi collaboration, all lined up and ready for the next stage of the process.
These carved tumblers were also part of the Lagavi collection, drying on the studio window sill before being fired.
The process of carving one of the tumbler designs for the Lagavi collaboration. Each piece required careful, precise work to maintain consistency across the collection.
These Mishima-carved tumblers with a white lotus design were another exclusive piece for the Lagavi collection, featuring a deep night-blue glaze.
This small, curved cup and saucer set was a design I initially made for myself. It was later picked up by Lagavi for their collection, proving that personal projects can often find a wider audience.
The design process starts with a sketch. This is the original blueprint for the curved cup, where I work out the proportions before ever touching the clay.
About Custom Commissions & Collaborations
Before we commit to a full run, I always start with prototyping. Whether you need a specific glaze for your restaurant or custom-shaped buttons for a garment, I create samples first to test shrinkage and texture. This ensures that what we agree on in the sketches is exactly what arrives on your doorstep, typically within a 3 to 5 week production window.
Working on custom pottery projects allows me to blend my craft with someone else's creative journey. When I took on the project for Lagavi, it was not just about making plates. It was about understanding their aesthetic and scaling my studio production to match their brand identity. We produced twelve unique variants, carefully balancing delicate form with functional durability.
My process for custom ceramic commissions is deeply collaborative. We start with a conversation to nail down your brief, be it branded cafe ware, personalized pet bowls, or unique corporate gifts. After the initial design sketch, I handle the technical side: clay selection, handle balance, and glaze matching.
For larger orders, I focus on the math of manufacturing, ensuring every piece meets the standard of high-fired, food-safe stoneware. Whether it is intricate sgraffito work for a boutique collection or simple, ergonomic mugs for a brand launch, I bring the same attention to detail to every unit.
Even small, seemingly transactional tasks like the buttons I crafted for a local designer can become a meaningful partnership. It required prototyping different sizes and finishes to match hand-spun fabric perfectly. That is the beauty of custom dinnerware and artisanal commissions. It is not just about producing an object, but about creating something that feels like an extension of your own brand or personal story.
Gauri Oak
I am Gauri, and I run GOAK Ceramics here in Indiranagar. I love taking on commissions because it pushes me to solve new design problems, whether that is finding the perfect handle weight or matching a specific shade of glaze for a project. Let us make something together that lasts.
Looking for something else?
Use the search bar to find specific collections or project types.
More from Handmade Pottery & Custom Commissions by Gauri Oak
More services by Gauri Oak