To quote Meryl Streep, “Instant gratification is not soon enough.” And another, perhaps, better-known quip, “By all means, move at a glacial pace. You know how that thrills me.”

Indeed, it does. To long for the arrival of something, someone. Like a sugar-high kid on Christmas Eve.

Brands that are in the business of “slow-made, hand-crafted goods” are, at the very least, offering up the simple – and often forgotten – fact that a period of waiting is implied, inevitable even, in order to get to the proverbial “good stuff” that life has to offer.

A brand that pulls off this slow-and-steady, methodical, made-to-order promise with aplomb? Encinitas-based ceramics maker, Clay + Craft. One of their most popular items (that I own and ritually use), is their Carafe + Cup Set ($132).

In the mood for a bottle of your finest local sake? Pour it up, pour it up. More of a vino snob than you’d like to let on? Let that baby breathe in the sumptuous depths of minimalist, hand-thrown clay, totally incognito. Or maybe none of that fancy pants, skin-contact, organic, low-intervention grape juice will do. It’s also appropriate to house your coffee in there, too.

In all seriousness, this set is without a shadow of a doubt the coolest piece of functional art/sculpture in my home. It comes in a creamy stoneware clay and is finished with a glossy white, satin gray, matte oatmeal, black or moody desert-free glaze – the choice is yours. Plus, each piece is dishwasher + microwave safe. It’s a steal at $132.