More about JustPotters

As part of our donor education series, we are pleased to continue with introducing you to our social enterprises. Last time, you learned about JustCatering and today we are pleased to provide an update about our oldest social enterprise, JustPotters.

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"Word" mugs

Logo Mugs and More:
JustPotters is the oldest of JustWork’s three social enterprises, having started in 2006-07. Over the years, JustPotters has produced a number of different products that have sold well in a variety of markets:

• Dinnerware items to individuals across North America through our Etsy online shop
  
• Hundreds of garden marker sets to Williams Sonoma, a kitchen retailer out of the US
  
• Dinner sets to couples getting married 
  
• Communion sets for churches in the Lower Mainland, and far beyond 
  
• Mugs, bowls, Christmas decorations, and a host of other products at local craft fairs, churches, and national conferences
  

By far, the mainstay of JustPotters’ product line is our logo mugs (and our “Word” mugs of love, joy, peace, and hope). We have turned out thousands of logo mugs that organizations have then shared with their stakeholders. Customers include coffee shops like JJ Bean and Wired Monk, non-profits such as Communitas Supportive Care and the David Suzuki Foundation, educational institutions like UBC and the University of Calgary, and businesses as diverse as Liberty Bakery and SMIT Marine Canada.

In addition to logo mugs, we also make bulk orders of other products for organizations. For example, earlier this year we made over 100 flower pots for Saint Thomas Aquinas Secondary School in North Vancouver as part of their annual ThinkFast Program.

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If you have an idea for an organization whose logo would look great on a mug, a magnet, or a coaster; or if your company has a need for these, or a bulk order of ceramic-ware, then please let us know. We would love to handcraft something especially for you!

Workshops:
While people have known us over the years for our production of pottery, we are now gaining a reputation as a great place for pottery workshops. Over the past year, we have facilitated workshops for branch employees at Vancity, children at Tenth Church, disadvantaged young adults in day programs at Britannia Community Centre and Open Door Group, and a forensic group from the RCMP. This is obviously quite a diverse collection of organizations, but each one has found their experience with clay to be deeply rewarding.

Mugs made by workshop participants

Hands on instruction at a workshop

Coil built bowls from a recent workshop

"The facilitators were thoughtful, helpful, flexible, and supportive and encouraged creativity. The projects were just the perfect difficulty and resulted in beautiful works of art. When the pieces were revealed to the participants their faces lit up! They were so proud of what they were able to accomplish, it was definitely a boost to their self-esteem and their level of confidence!”
– May Chow, Recreation Therapist | OPEN DOOR GROUP

What’s Ahead:
In the months ahead, we intend to continue expanding our workshop opportunities. If you have an idea of using pottery workshops in your workplace or other context (e.g. a school setting), then please let me know. As well, stay tuned for information about our Christmas workshops where you can make Christmas decorations for yourself or as gifts for family and friends. See our website for details.

Thanks so much for your partnership in our efforts at JustWork! Your financial gifts make all of this possible. We are grateful for the support you provide as a donor to JustWork. Without you, none of this creative and meaningful work would be possible!

With gratitude,

David Holcomb
Executive Director, JustWork Economic Initiative