A Ceramicist Who Made a Coffee Cup and Then Its Perfect Pairing Dish

In a crowded Jingdezhen market, we found a young ceramicist with an eye-catching coffee cup—delicate, seemingly perfect for specialty brewing. We asked if she’d custom-make a set for us. She said no. Then, after a surprising series of refusals, she changed her mind. Not for the money—but for the art.

Yes, she eventually made the cup and its matching saucer—but only on her terms, her timeline, and with full creative freedom. The result? One of the most precisely comfortable and aesthetically cohesive ceramic coffee sets we’ve ever used.

The Artist Behind the Cup: Refusing the Usual Path

The maker is Xin Ying, a 90s-born Aquarius who studied ceramic art and runs a small shop in Jingdezhen. Trained formally, she came to the city purely for her love of clay and handmade craft. She rejects mass production, cookie-cutter commercial projects, and compulsory pairings like cups and saucers ‘just because.’

“I want to design what I like,” she says. “Not what sells. Not what’s expected.” She works alone, shapes everything herself, and insists on freedom in both form and function. That’s why she initially refused all customization—even for a partnership with a well-known coffee tool brand.

Why the First "No" Turned Into a Yes

Our team at world.gafei.com—run by FrontStreet Coffee—shared our vision: highlighting true craftsmanship in specialty coffee culture. After several conversations, Xin Ying agreed to make just the cup. No saucer. No customization. No compromise.

Later, after seeing our artist series launch online, she reached back. “I like your message,” she wrote. “I’ll make the saucer too.” But still, no price discussion. She simply started crafting.

And then she delivered something unexpected—not a generic companion piece, but a thoughtfully designed saucer that completed the cup visually and functionally. Every curve, thickness, and finish was considered.

The Final Pieces: 'Light Shadow' Cup and Its Matching Saucer

The resulting cup is called Light Shadow. Its soft, watercolor-like glaze resembles ink-wash landscape painting. This effect comes from local stones—crushed rock powder from Jingdezhen’s Sanbao Village—mixed into the clay. Seasonal and climatic shifts create natural variations, meaning each cup emerges uniquely, with subtle differences in tone and depth.

The body is remarkably thin yet durable, a technical feat in hand-thrown pottery. The walls are light, the rim balanced, and the foot clean. The saucer is equally minimal, made to cradle the cup without overwhelming it. No forced pairing—just intentional design.

One tiny detail stands out: the underside curve of the handle. It nestles perfectly against your middle finger, offering an unusually comfortable grip. Xin Ying adjusted the shape by hand repeatedly as the clay dried—more than three times per handle. Most potters wouldn’t bother with such precision. She did.

The Human Touch: Handwritten Notes and Hundred Unique Cards

Each set includes a hundred signed cards—each one handwritten individually by Xin Ying. No printed stickers. No copy-paste. Each note carries a short personal message, reflecting her philosophy on craft, life, and the value of doing things thoughtfully.

“Good design and handmade items help people live more beautifully,” she told us. “Your home should be treated with care. It’s where your heart rests.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Xin Ying, the ceramicist behind the coffee cup and dish?

Xin Ying is a 90s-born ceramic artist from Jingdezhen, trained in ceramic design. She runs her own small studio and creates pottery purely out of passion, not for mass-market trends. She is known for rejecting commercial pressure and insisting on personal creative freedom.

Why did Xin Ying initially refuse to make a custom coffee cup set?

She refused because she does not believe in creating products solely for profit or to meet external expectations. She prefers designing what she loves, maintaining full control over her work, and rejecting cookie-cutter commercial projects like mandatory cup-and-saucer pairings.

What is special about the coffee cup called 'Light Shadow'?

The 'Light Shadow' cup features a glaze resembling ink-wash landscapes, achieved by mixing crushed stone powder from Jingdezhen’s Sanbao Village into the clay. This natural additive results in unique color variations and a delicate, watercolor-like finish. The cup is also thrown very thin, showcasing fine craftsmanship.

Did Xin Ying agree to make the saucer at first?

No. She initially refused to make a matching saucer, as she does not like creating dishes just to accompany cups. She changed her mind later after connecting with the brand’s values and chose to design the saucer on her own terms.

What makes the cup's handle so comfortable to hold?

The handle includes a subtle curve at its base that fits perfectly under the middle finger. Xin Ying adjusted the shape manually multiple times while the clay dried to achieve this ergonomic detail, showing her dedication to functional design.

Are there any personal touches included with the cup and saucer sets?

Yes. Each set comes with 100 individually handwritten cards from Xin Ying. These contain her personal reflections and messages about craftsmanship, life, and design—each written carefully and uniquely, with no printed or duplicated content.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Handmade Ceramic Brewing

Pair Xin Ying’s ceramic cup and saucer with FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera for bright floral and citrus notes, or their Yirgacheffe for juicy berries and soft acidity—both shine in thin-walled ceramic. For deeper profiles, try the FrontStreet Classic Blend, balancing chocolate and nuttiness that complements the cup’s soft glaze. All three roast levels highlight the craftsmanship and enhance clarity in the cup. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.