Enhancing the Coffee Experience: Behind the Exclusive Will & Co x Splendid Wren Crockery Line

We believe coffee is an experience. It’s not just about what you’re drinking – it’s about the cup it’s poured into, the setting it’s enjoyed in and the company with which it’s shared. 

Given how much TLC we put into cupping, roasting and brewing our coffee – not to mention how much consideration went into establishing our beautiful HQ Tasting Bar in Bondi – it only made sense we’d take the same approach with our crockery. 

For our HQ Tasting Bar, we wanted to create a bespoke line of crockery that truly enhanced the coffee experience. Maybe you’ve had the chance to enjoy a cuppa with us in Bondi or have noticed the crockery available online – it really is one-of-a-kind. Now, tune in to hear how the line came to be, including the inspiration behind the beautiful design.  

Back to the Beginning

In late 2019, we were busy putting the finishing touches on our all-new tasting bar – from the fit-out to the experiential considerations; like music, coffee table books and of course the crockery for dine-in coffees. We had our mind set on a custom, bespoke line that was exclusive to the tasting bar, and checked a few other boxes – crafted by a local ceramicist, perfect to enjoy a delicious cup of coffee out of and a true representation of Will & Co. So, we set out to find an epic partner and serendipitously crossed paths with Catherine Field, the maker behind Splendid Wren Ceramics. 

After passing by one day, Catherine reached out with the idea to host pinch pot workshops in the new space. “It looked like the perfect place to get creative,” Catherine noted. Josh, Head of Will & Co, loved the idea and took things one step further by asking Catherine if she’d be interested in creating a bespoke line of cups for our new cafe. Knowing the work was best-suited to a wheel-throwing potter, she brought her mate Kimwoochang of Misty Island into the picture, setting the stage for a truly collaborative project.  

The Journey from the Potter's Hand to Yours

Making the Will & Co x Splendid Wren crockery line is a true labour of love, with many steps involved to craft the final product. It all starts at the pottery wheel where Kimwoochang works his magic. Using a speckled clay reminiscent of the sand of Bondi Beach, Kimwoochang throws the cups and saucers “off the hump” which allows him to move more quickly while crafting the various sizes. It’s a hypnotic and soothing process to watch – we'd get lost in it ourselves. Kimwoochang works with precision, making a very difficult craft look easy.

With the initial pieces formed, the cups and saucers are left to dry to a leather-hardness before being ‘turned’ to remove any excess clay and smooth the exterior, creating the final shape. They’re then stamped with a subtle Will & Co logo, before being fired in the kiln at 1000 degrees. Now they’re ready for glazing. 

Each piece is first dipped into white glaze and then left to dry. Once dry, blue glaze is poured into the cups before the tops are dipped. Similar to the speckled clay, these colours were chosen to harken back to the ocean and evoke a feeling of calm.

Before going through their final firing in the kiln at 1260 degrees, the cups and saucers are ‘fettled’, a process similar to ‘turning’ in that it’s done to smooth out any rough edges created from the glaze. After firing, these beauties are done and ready for a nice hot cuppa. 

A Mark of Care

There’s a lot to love about the Will & Co x Splendid Wren crockery line, but probably our favourite part is that no two pieces are the same, much like people. That’s a big reason why we chose to work with a local ceramicist – we wanted a line where each piece would go together yet be completely one-of-a-kind.

The handmade process makes the experience of drinking a coffee out of each and every cup special. What some people may call ‘imperfections’ we see as a mark of care. As Catherine explains, “you can feel the love that went into making each piece” – much like you can feel the love that goes into making Will & Co coffee. 

About Splendid Wren Ceramics 

We can’t say thank you enough to Catherine for partnering with us on this incredible bespoke line of crockery. Part of what makes the partnership so special is who she is as a person. So, we thought we’d ask her a few questions to help you get to know her a little bit better. 

What inspired the name, Splendid Wren? 

Catherine: The name came about because the little blue wren was my dear mother's favourite bird. My mother was a very creative woman, always making wonderful things with her hands and working in various mediums. I feel that she would be very proud if she could see what I am doing now. 

What do you love about working with clay every day? 

C: I love the freedom, the creativity and the peacefulness. I love that I can dream up an idea and create it with my own two hands.  There’s nothing quite like the tranquility of having my hands in clay and being fully immersed in creating with my headphones on listening to a good playlist, podcast or audio book. 

What’s your go-to coffee order? 

C: I do love a skim cappuccino - it's perfect to sip on while I’m working. 

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? 

C: My spare time is currently filled with basketball – both my sons play in a couple of teams and train several times a week. My friends joke that I’ve either got my hands in clay or I’m at a basketball court. Other than that, I love my yoga and pilates as well as reading and spending time at the beach. 

Handbuilt from stoneware clay, Catherine Field’s work features natural, earthy glazes and a neutral colour palette inspired by the natural beauty surrounding her home in Bondi Beach. 

Catherine works from her studio at Claypool in Botany, (you can also shop the beautiful Will & Co x Splendid Wren crockery online), COMMUNE Bondi, Orchard St., Lox Stock & Barrel, DEA Store and the Australian Design Centre. Her work has been featured in a number of publications including Gourmet Traveller, Belle Magazine, Inside Out, House & Garden, Real Living, Conde Nast Traveller, and on the cover of Donna Hay’s ‘Weeklight’ cookbook. 

Catherine also teaches handbuilding at her studio and hosts select workshops at Will & Co’s HQ Tasting Bar. Check out her current availability here on her website.