Introducing: The Lighthouse Collection
Handmade in the PNW by Jasmine LaFleur
Jasmine LaFleur’s journey with Lighthouse began when she lived next door as a ceramics major at the University of Washington. The place she referred to as the “living room of the neighborhood”, Lighthouse was where she connected with neighbors over coffee everyday. It was here that she worked part time and did her first custom ceramics commissions for patrons and employees of Lighthouse while she was still a student.
One summer day, she decided to have her first pottery sale in her driveway. She was still a student, and hadn't done any big business yet, as she was usually at school 14 hours a day. It was a spontaneous decision, with no marketing, no planning, and no social media. She handpainted a couple of masonite boards left over from a skate ramp that her boyfriend Lorn had in their garage. He put them together into handmade sandwich signs, and they put them out on the sidewalk. They had a nice south-facing stoop, with a flower garden flanking the driveway which they hung out in anyways, so it didn't hurt to just have the pottery out with them while they were soaking up the valuable Seattle sun. The first person that walked up the driveway and bought Jasmine's first mug was Dave Matthews. It was a salt-fired beer stein, which he then went to fill with six shots of Lighthouse espresso.
The support Jasmine received from this community has helped to make her dream career come true: being a full-time ceramics artist. Talks began of her making custom Lighthouse mugs back when she was in school, and now, after years in the making, she is proud to offer this new handmade Lighthouse Collection from her studio to your hands.
"This is a special project for me as Lighthouse is very close to my heart. It's a protected enclave with the best people, the most friendly comforting vibe, and some of the best coffee and baristas in the world. You walk in and you feel like you're home." -Jasmine
Your new mug is a symbol of the neighborly connection that this place has fostered over the years…It’s the union of two fine crafts: handmade coffee mugs and hand roasted coffee.
How it's made:
Shaped on the potter’s wheel, a ball of locally-sourced PNW clay is molded into a form, guided by pressure from Jasmine’s hands. Once dry enough to support itself, she carefully imprints a brass stamp into each vessel. The mug, a fusion of earth, air, water, and fire, goes through two kiln firings over the course of weeks, reaching temperatures of 2232 degrees before being transformed from earth into stone. This organic process of creation has remained the same for thousands of years. Jasmine shapes and finishes each piece with her hands, and this is the reason why the cup nests perfectly in your palms, a feeling no commercial item can ever achieve.
This collaboration marks the dedication by both Lighthouse and Jasmine to the shared values of local support, artisanal quality, and meaningful relationships. As you enjoy a Lighthouse coffee in your handmade mug, remember the story it represents — a narrative of what neighbors can create together.