Tucked away in a colorful corner of Port-au-Prince, there’s a team of artisans doing something pretty amazing — turning raw clay into beautiful mugs at Papillon Marketplace. But this isn’t just about pottery. It’s about artisans supporting their families, learning new skills, and creating something real with their hands.

The journey starts way out in Haiti’s Central Plateau, where the team sources their clay straight from the earth. It’s rich, red, and perfect for shaping. After it’s dug up and dried, it’s brought back to the Papillon workshop. That’s where the magic happens.

Inside the studio, you’ll find the pottery team throwing clay on wheels, trimming, carving, and glazing with incredible attention to detail. Every mug is handmade — no two pieces are exactly alike. There’s a rhythm to the work: spin, shape, smooth, fire, glaze. Then boom — a shelf full of gorgeous mugs, ready to brighten up someone’s kitchen.

When things are running full steam, this crew can crank out up to 2,500 pieces of pottery a month. That’s a serious amount of mugs! And the best part? Every piece is made with love and purpose by women who are proud of what they do. For many of them, this job is life-changing. It’s steady income in a place where that’s not easy to come by. It’s a safe space to work, learn, and grow.