HANDCRAFTED CERAMICS FOR EVERYDAY USE

Each piece a pleasure to touch, see, and use

New Collection

With more than 20 years combined ceramics experience, our goal was to create an environment in which we could develop our own ways with clay, while working together on a range of local, handmade “daily-ware” that is both a pleasure to use and to view.

The outcome of this exploration has been Stables Pottery.

Tankards and Pitchers
Vases
Bowls
planters
Cups, Mugs, Pourers
Mead Ceramics

About Us

Stables Pottery is a collaborative venture created by the two of us - Mike Cribbens and Melissa Mead. We create a daily-ware range for all your homeware needs.

Melissa and Mike previously converted a barn and disused pony stables into a working pottery studio with both production and workshop facilities.

In May 2022 we relocated to our new facility in Albany, North Harbour. While the new premises is smaller than the old barn, it is a more comfortable and homely place to work and create.

Stables Pottery takes its name from the original barn facility and also reflects Mike’s lifelong other passion - that of all things equine - having previously been a successful owner (and not so successful breeder) of thoroughbred racehorses.

  • Mike’s journey with clay commenced more than 6 years ago with a beginner class at Auckland Studio Potters. Having had a variety of roles in his many work years, ranging from that of a real-ale brewery drayman, an explosives loader for a seismic exploration company, right thru to more conventional roles in IT sales and service management. Clay has now become the key creative outlet through which to appreciate the simpler things. Mike gets great pleasure and satisfaction knowing that the items he creates are part and parcel of peoples’ everyday lives.

    With Melissa’s encouragement, Mike has delighted in naming a number of our product ranges after champion NZ racehorses - Alamosa, El Roca and Il Tempo.

  • Melissa creates her ceramics in moment-to-moment connection with earthly materials of clay, in a desire to uplift and enrich your daily moments. Melissa began her journey in Texas, USA, travelled to the UK then South Africa where she began her family and her journey with clay.

    Settling in New Zealand, she has totally involved herself in the local ceramics community. Running classes at Mairangi Bay Arts Centre and Titirangi and Kumeu Pottery Clubs, Melissa aims to have students creating forms of colour, texture and space. Melissa herself, strives to create vessels of companionship and memories for your daily moments.