Cumulus Inc. Porcelain Coffee Cups by Ingrid Tufts - photos by Kim Brockett at Craft Victoria.

As every self-respecting Melburnian would know, one of Melbourne's coolest cafes, Cumulus Inc. just happens to be nestled right next door to Craft Victoria at the top end of Flinders Lane.  I'm not sure if the craft has been rubbing off on the baristas, but it seems these two organisations have formed a close bond over their regular morning coffee runs(!), and this has resulted in a brilliant crafty collaboration!

The Cumulus Inc. Coffee Cup, featuring the restaurant’s iconic cloud design, was designed by Craft Victoria member Ingrid Tufts,  and was commissioned through New Craft Made in Victoria – a new product development service that matches Craft Victoria members with commercial opportunities.  Find out more about the brilliant craft initiative right here!

Ingrid Tufts is a brilliant Melbourne-based crafter who works exclusively in hand thrown porcelain. Her beautiful work is sold in retailers around the country, including the Donna Hay General Store in Woollahra, Sydney.

Each Cumulus inc. Cup is individually hand-thrown and glazed.  They retail for $20, and when you buy one your first coffee is free! (...and it is extremely good coffee!).  Cumulus Inc. is also encouraging customers to re-use their coffee cups by offering 30c off every takeaway coffee sold in a re-usable alternative.  Leeroy Kirk-Walker from Cumulus says the project has been an amazing success with one in ten of their regular customers purchasing a cup!

SERIOUSLY what is not love and this brilliant collaboration!?  Beautiful local craft, sustainable business strategy and excellent coffee.  Great work all round!  I am thoroughly impressed.

These photos by Ingrid Tufts