Faith Lo
Celebrating Community with The Sead Project
At Deneen Pottery, every mug holds memories. Sometimes that memory is about a favorite café, or a national park adventure. Other times, the story is much bigger, rooted in celebration, community, and connection. This past year, we were honored to be part of a moment that brought all of those elements together through a special mug donation to The Sead Project during a Hmong New Year celebration.
A Donation with Deep Meaning
Deneen Pottery donated a collection of handcrafted mugs to The Sead Project, a non-profit organization committed to creating inclusive and accessible spaces where creativity and learning can flourish. This partnership made it possible for the mugs to be shared with a weekly exercise group for Hmong elders in the St. Paul community, led by a chiropractor. Through this connection, the mugs were gifted to elders who regularly come together to exercise, stretch, and support one another, which encourages both physical well-being and meaningful community connection.
The presentation of these mugs took place during their Hmong New Year event, a time filled with tradition, gratitude, and togetherness. Seeing our pottery become part of such a meaningful cultural celebration reminded us why we do what we do: to create something lasting that brings people together.
From Employee Appreciation to Community Gift
What made this donation even more special was the origin of the mugs themselves. These Hmong mugs were originally created last year as employee appreciation gifts for our team. At Deneen Pottery, more than 50% of our employees are Hmong, and we wanted to honor that by creating mugs that reflected pride, heritage, and cultural identity.
The designs were not only inspired by Hmong culture, they were shaped by it directly. One of the mug designs was created by a family member of one of our Hmong employees, making the piece even more special.
Two Designs, One Powerful Message
The donation included two distinct mug styles, each carrying its own story and symbolism.
The first mug is our French Latte shape, finished in a cranberry glaze. It features the phrase “Proud of Who I Am,” paired with Hmong symbols and patterns. The message is simple yet powerful, a declaration of identity, strength, and self-respect.
The second mug is an AMP shape in a black and lilac marble glaze. This design features an illustration of a traditional musical instrument used in Hmong culture. Music plays an important role in storytelling and heritage, and this illustration serves as a reminder that culture is something to be shared, celebrated, and passed down through generations.
Witnessing the Celebration
Our marketing assistant had the opportunity to attend the Hmong New Year event and personally present the Deneen Pottery mugs to the elders. Being present for the celebration allowed us to see firsthand how the community came together in joy and tradition.
Many of the women wore their traditional Hmong clothing, adorned with intricate embroidery, vibrant colors, and beautiful details. The garments themselves told stories of heritage and traditions, values we deeply relate to as a handmade pottery company.
As the mugs were distributed, the excitement in the room was undeniable. Smiles spread as people reached for their mugs, examined the designs, and shared the moment with one another. It was a powerful reminder that something as simple as a mug can hold meaning far beyond its form.
Why This Moment Matters
With more than half of our team identifying as Hmong, this moment represented a reflection of our internal community extending outward.
We believe that when employees feel seen and valued, that good energy carries into everything they create. These mugs are a testament to the voices, and stories that shape Deneen Pottery every day.
Handmade with Heart
We are grateful to The Sead Project for the work they do and for allowing us to be part of such a meaningful celebration. We are equally grateful to our employees, whose cultures, talents, and hard work continue to inspire everything we create.
As we look ahead, moments like this reinforce our commitment to using our craft to give back, uplift others, and celebrate the communities that make us who we are.
Because at the end of the day, every mug has a memory, and this is one we’ll carry with us for a long time.
Faith Lo
