Counter Culture collaborated with our friends at Haand to create an exclusive release of The Diner Mug in a cozy color they call "buttermilk pink" right in time for holiday gifting!
Counter Culture collaborated with our friends at Haand to create an exclusive release of The Diner Mug in a cozy color they call "buttermilk pink" right on time for holiday gifting!
This limited-edition mug is a heartfelt tribute to the classic diner style, designed for those who appreciate a truly great coffee experience. The Diner Mug captures the essence of comfort and nostalgia, inspired by cherished memories of road trips and late-night diners. It features an ergonomic handle and a thoughtfully balanced shape.
Stepping into the Haand warehouse in Burlington, North Carolina had the familiarity of walking through one of our roasteries, swapping roasters for potters. Each station was its own little world of focused intention, steady hands, and shared vision—dedicated to creating a thoughtfully crafted, high-quality product for those who truly appreciate it. It was a place bound by care, both for the craft and for the community it serves.
We spoke with Haand’s Creative Director and Co-Founder, Mark Warren, to learn more about Haand and The Diner Mug.
Addison (Counter Culture): Can you tell me about what makes the Haand process unique?
Mard (Haand): The hand process is unique because we try to capture the chaos of making something by hand while keeping it within some parameters, such as size and volume, for the final shape. So, there are some rules and guardrails, but then within that, there’s a great deal of variety, which is certainly not how most factories would choose to make something—probably for excellent reason.
Everyone’s hands move differently while working on a piece, and these variations contribute to a handmade-ness. Our clay body is a fine porcelain, which means that if you squish or manipulate it, it can lose its circularity. Even when you squish it back in, it retains a memory. Even after firing the final piece, you might notice slight variations. Each team member has a unique way of working, and I enjoy seeing how that comes through in the final product.
Addison: How do you think using handmade ceramics in everyday life adds value to your routine?
Mark: Using a handmade object daily is incredibly connective for people. It has been done since we developed a culture of making things. It maintains a human connection that can be easily lost in mass-produced objects.
Watch our video about the collaboration.
Addison: What do you love about the Counter Culture x Haand diner mug?
Mark: I love this mug shape because it’s classic. It’s a utilitarian shape, but we played with its proportions. So it still feels very handmade but references a diner mug you’d see in Waffle House.
Addison: Tell me the story behind the buttermilk pink glaze.
Mark: This glaze was developed with Vivian Howard for her Charleston, SC restaurant Lenoir. We use it extensively in the collection we do with her on our website, too. I love pink and pastels, so this is a version of a glaze we have been playing with for years. It's very Florida (my home state)—floral, sunset-y, and joyful.
Addison: Do you have any fun holiday traditions?
Mark: I am a bit of a Grinch, but I do always make time to watch Gremlins. I also like to listen to the Low album "Christmas" and jam some Charlie Brown's Christmas, too. We celebrate the solstice by putting out some treats for the forest creatures and eating breakfast for dinner by candlelight. It's fun and it makes sense—bringing light and warmth into the world with family on the longest night of the year.
Addison: Why were you excited to collaborate with Counter Culture?
Mark: We are big fans of Counter Culture, and you’ve always been an inspiration to us in the local North Carolina business world. We like the mission, and we drink your coffee at home, so we are really excited to be working with you and to have the opportunity to put out a mug as beautiful as this one.
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The Counter Culture Coffee x Haand Diner Mug is available while supplies last!
Haand is a ceramics company in Burlington, North Carolina that specializes in creating modern, handmade pottery with organic shapes and heirloom-quality porcelain. Through a slip-casting process, the Haand team designs and manufactures plaster molds in-house that are filled with liquid clay, producing classic pieces with a handmade touch.
