Handmade Pottery Chicken Mugs & Bowls | The Roost Collection by Swan River Creations

The Roost Collection: From Clay to Character

There's something about these hens.

They started simply enough—just an idea to bring a little life and personality into everyday pieces. But over time, they've become one of the most recognizable parts of my work.

Each piece in The Roost Collection begins the same way—at the wheel in my Idaho studio—whether it's a mug, berry bowl, soup bowl, or sponge rest. Forms meant to be used, reached for, and lived with every day.

But it's after the clay has been shaped and dried that the real personality begins to emerge.

Every hen you see is created using an underglaze transfer technique, carefully applied to the surface. From there, each piece is individually hand-painted—slowly, deliberately, and with a lot of attention to detail.

No two are ever quite the same.

Some get a curious tilt to their head.

Others end up with a bit more attitude than expected.

There are tiny details—grass, flowers, the occasional egg or ladybug—that make each one feel like it has its own quiet story.

It's a time-intensive process, and truthfully, not the fastest way to make pottery.

But that's part of what makes them special.

These are one-of-a-kind handmade ceramic pieces, created to be both functional and full of character. A favorite coffee mug, a bowl of fresh berries, or even a sponge resting by the sink—each piece is made to bring a little warmth and personality into everyday life.

And maybe that's why they've found their way into so many homes.

Because sometimes, it's the small, everyday things that deserve to feel a little special.

— Kathy

Swan River Creations

Handmade pottery created in Hayden, Idaho