About Habla Pottery فُخَار هَبْلة

[Huhb-lah]

A colloquial Arabic term that means "silly" or "stupid" often used in an affectionate or lighthearted way.

It’s not typically meant as an insult but rather as a way to describe someone being goofy, carefree, or acting in a fun, unserious manner.

  • Inspiration of why we list items online

    Habla Pottery started as gifts for friends and family, every piece made for someone specific and given away for birthdays, holidays, or no reason at all. People eventually asked to buy individual pieces, so we're sharing it here, hoping a piece finds its way into your home too. Custom requests may be accepted upon review of the request.

  • Items are dropped seasonally

    We're a Palestinian owned business making every piece by hand in our home studio in Los Angeles, from throwing the clay to packing each shipment ourselves. Item drops are not scheduled and are listed once they have completed the final firing process. To follow along, follow us on Instagram!

  • Is Habla Pottery niche? Hmm maybe.

    From it's name, the point of Habla Pottery is to craft art even when it might be silly. Every piece reflects a Middle Eastern memory and the joy of embracing imperfection, because it's not serious, it's just mud. That understanding brings out the most creative parts of us- so much so that it might not look so habla afterall.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of clay is used?

We work with a variety of dark and light stoneware clays, fired anywhere from cone 06 to cone 6 depending on the piece. Since clay bodies and firing temperatures vary, we note whether each vessel is food safe on its individual product listing.

How long is shipping?

All orders ship via UPS within the United States, with delivery generally taking around 10 to 12 business days depending on your location and the size of your order. Shipping cost is based on the weight of your piece:

0 lb – 2 lb: $8.00 USD (5 to 8 business days)

2 lb – 5 lb: $12.00 USD (3 to 4 business days)

5 lb – 10 lb: $18.00 USD (10 to 12 business days)

10 lb – 20 lb: $25.00 USD (10 to 12 business days)

20 lb and up: $35.00 USD (3 to 5 business days)

Do you ship internationally?

Right now we only ship within the United States. If you're outside the US and would like a piece shipped to you, email us or send a message on Instagram for a custom shipping quote.

Do you accept custom orders?

Yes, but each request goes through approval. Since the full process takes real time, please reach out well ahead of any deadline rather than for something time sensitive.

To start, send your request by email or Instagram DM with as much detail as possible. I review every request carefully, which takes about 6 business days, before responding with either a quote or a note on why I'm not able to take it on.

Note: Not every request moves forward, mostly because I want each piece to stay true to my own style. I'm always happy to create something inspired by your ideas, colors, or themes, as long as it's in the spirit of pottery I've made before, but I don't take on requests to replicate another artist's specific work.

From there, production takes a minimum of 5 to 10 weeks, since handmade pottery moves through several stages that each need their own time: throwing the piece, drying to leather-hard for trimming, further drying before its first firing, bisque firing, glazing, glaze firing, cooling, and finally packing for shipment. Because clay needs to dry naturally at each step, this timeline can't be rushed.

Shipping costs are covered by the customer based on the piece's weight.

How do I submit a custom order?

  1. Fill out the custom order request form here. Include as much detail as you can about your vision, along with any inspiration photos.
  2. We'll review your request, which takes about 6 business days, then follow up with either an approved quote or a note on why we're not able to take it on.
  3. If approved, you'll receive a Custom Order Agreement outlining the price, timeline, and payment terms.
  4. Production takes a minimum of 5 to 10 weeks, since handmade pottery moves through several stages (throwing, drying, trimming, bisque firing, glazing, glaze firing, and final drying) that each need their own time.
  5. Once your piece is ready, it ships at your cost based on weight.

How should I care for my piece?

All of our ceramics should be handwashed. We recommend keeping pieces out of the microwave, since some designs include nichrome wiring that isn't microwave safe.

What if my order arrives broken or damaged?

If your piece arrives broken, you're entitled to a refund. Just email us with a photo showing the damage so we can process your refund.

Do you accept returns or exchanges?

We do not accept returns or exchanges. If your order arrives damaged, please refer to our damaged item policy above.

What are the "Misfits" pieces?

Our Misfits line gives a second life to pieces that didn't come out exactly as planned. Misfit Mugs have small glaze imperfections but are fully food safe and ready for everyday use. Misfit Candle Cups are a little different: because they have pinholes or glaze spotting that make them unsuitable for food or drink, we fill them with candles instead, giving these pieces a useful second purpose rather than letting them go to waste.