The teacups that carry a story — and the bond behind them

It began with a holiday pottery class — a young girl at the wheel, her mum by her side, both falling quietly in love with clay. Over time, that spark became JMT Ceramics: a mother–daughter studio grounded in patience, creativity, and connection. When Michelle’s partner lost his father to motor neurone disease (MND), the grief shaped their next project. For MND Action Month, they’ve created a series of handcrafted teacup sets — each one a tribute to resilience, remembrance, and the simple act of making time count.

Where it all began

What started as a holiday activity slowly became a shared passion. JMT Ceramics was born when a ten-year-old fell in love with clay. After attending pottery classes as part of a holiday programme, Jacqueline couldn’t wait to return. With each session, her skills grew — and so did her mum’s involvement.

Michelle joined her because Jacqueline was too young to work solo at the studio. “The logical thing was for me to be there,” she says. “But then I found myself drawn in, too. I’ve always been interested in ceramics — especially as a food photographer. I was constantly hunting for that perfect plate, dish or bowl. So, I figured… why not learn to make them?”

More than making

Their roles were unexpectedly reversed in the early days — the daughter guiding the mother and quietly coaching her through the basics. “There’s so much we can learn from our kids,” Michelle reflects. “Jacqueline would sit beside me, reminding me how to centre the clay or adjust my technique.”

Now, they work side by side in their studio. Jacqueline, now 16, has a strong eye for form and often completes the handles; Michelle focuses on function, glaze, and finish. Their pieces are practical, beautiful, and intentionally imperfect — made for everyday use but steeped in quiet artistry.

“Working with clay is humbling,” Michelle says. “There are so many stages where things can go wrong — throwing, trimming, drying, firing, glazing. You have to accept that. It’s taught me patience and how to let go of perfection.”

Grief and glaze

That patience was tested in an entirely different way last year, when Michelle’s partner’s father was diagnosed with MND.

“It took months to get answers,” she recalls. “His legs were weakening; he’d had a few falls, but we didn’t know why. The diagnosis came in early 2024, and by October, he had passed away.”

The loss was sudden and brutal. But Michelle remembers his warmth, humour, and pride in her work. “He was always trying to make us laugh. He worked with his hands — he was a teacher, good with woodwork — and was so encouraging when I showed him my glaze tests and new work.”

In his final months, he shared a wish with the family: to help raise awareness of MND. So, when Michelle was approached to create a handcrafted teacup and saucer set for MND Action Month, the answer was simple.

“It felt right,” she says. “I’d already been to the Walk to Defeat MND this year, and the family hosted a Cuppa Tea for MND last year. But this — this was personal. It became about honouring him, and everyone affected.”

Made to remember

Each teacup set in the limited-edition run is thrown by hand using white stoneware clay, then trimmed, glazed, and fired twice — a process that can take up to four weeks, especially in winter. Michelle chose white clay to showcase the natural throw lines — the subtle spirals left by handwork on the wheel.

“There might be a deeper line here, a slight variation there — but that’s the beauty,” she says. “It’s a reminder that nothing is perfect.”

Michelle pauses when asked what these teacups might say if they could speak.

“Patience. Perseverance. Gratitude,” she says. “That’s what I was thinking about when I made them. I was tearful, to be honest. I was thinking about him and what he’d say if he saw them. I wanted to be careful, intentional. Each one is a quiet thank you — for holding it, supporting the cause, and remembering.”

Pour a brew. Share a story. Make time count.

Support MND Action Month by purchasing a limited edition JMT Ceramics teacup set — available now via the MND NZ online shop.

Your purchase supports vital care, advocacy, and research — helping people with motor neurone disease live with dignity, connection, and support.