One of the hassles of potted plants is the need to repot them, which can lead to gardeners needing to get more planters. A good planter can last quite a while, and the ideal planter is one that is cute, stylish, or otherwise matches your general aesthetic. While there are plenty of great options out there to get your planters from, some of the best planters are tucked away in smaller, indie shops.
The three Los Angeles-based ceramic artists we have for you today are a great place to start! We’ll even let you know what some of our favorite pieces from them are.
O-M Ceramics
Object-Matter Ceramics, or O-M for short, is a delightful ceramic studio owned and operated by Carrie Lau. Based in Highland Park, Los Angeles, O-M Ceramics features original pieces that are both colorful and minimalistic. The artist, Carrie Lau, grew up in Hong Kong, where she worked with a fashion magazine. She moved to LA in 2014 to study graphic design, and, although she shifted her focus to ceramics shortly after, the graphic design influence and talent is still fully on display. Her designs are fun, but simple in a way that will blend with any existing aesthetic your garden has. Additionally, each piece is handmade, so you can be sure your planter, mug, or bowl is totally unique.
Our favorite planter: Double Sprinkle Cactus Planter
This planter is perfect for any windowsill, desk, or other area where you want maximum cuteness with minimal space. It has a white base, is covered in multicolored dots, and stands between 5.75 and 6.25 inches tall. Something that really sets this planter apart is its shape. The cactus planter, true to its name, is cactus shaped, with several semicircles to represent the bumps and spines of a cactus.
btw ceramics
Our next ceramic store is btw ceramics, which was originally founded in Brooklyn before coming to Los Angeles. The artist and designer is Brooke T. Winfrey, and her style is impeccable. Every piece in her shop is handmade, hand-thrown, and hand-painted, with an emphasis on the small details and irregularities that make each piece unique. The minimalist style of her ceramic art draws attention to these differences instead of hiding them away, as if the planter you get was made just for you.
Our favorite planter: Brushstroke Hanging Planter
If you’re looking for a good hanging planter, then look no further than the brushstroke hanging planter. It’s fairly small, only 4 inches wide and 2.5 inches tall, but still visually interesting and distinct. The black and white color scheme of both the planter and the cords it hangs on will match well with any room, and it’s the perfect size to hang daintily in front of a window, perhaps with a little succulent inside.
Uno+Ichi
If you noticed that the name of our next ceramic studio consists of two words that both mean “one” (in Spanish and Japanese respectively), then you’re already on the way to understanding the long and interesting history of Uno+Ichi. The name originally referred to the two owners and artists, Hana and Joanna. After Joanna left in 2018, the name became a symbol of Hana’s artistic method: first throwing the clay, then changing it by hand. Hana has a sweet, whimsical style that can liven up any room in your home. Many of her mugs, bowls, and planters take the form of characters or people that are sure to bring a smile to your face.
Our favorite planter: Fufu Medium Planter
Of course our favorite planter has to be Fufu. This cute little planter stands at 6 inches tall and 5.5 inches wide. Fufu is a white, dog-like character, with attached ears and nose and hand painted eyes, mouth, and freckles. The base of these planters is a red dome, which is ideal for hiding a small dish or bowl to catch water as it drains from the soil. In fact, it even comes with a biodegradable dish for just that purpose. The top of the planter is also the top of Fufu’s head, so any plants you grow in it will look like Fufu’s hair.
Any planter from these amazing artists would make a great addition to your home or garden, no matter what plant you choose to grow in them. Explore their websites to learn more of the interesting history these ceramic artists and their studios have. Why stop there? Take a look around your own hometown and see what indie artists you can support locally! Who knows, you might end up discovering the next big trend just a few streets over.
