It was at a sex convention that I first fell in love with adult products all those years ago, but while so much has changed in this industry since then, it seems conventions, sadly, have not. Walking into a sex con, such as Sexpo, today, looks much like it did seven years ago, and if anything things have gone backwards. With the vast majority of products being non-body-safe, barely any representation from quality brands or retailers, and questionable guest stars, I find myself struggling more and more each year to attend. But the thing that keeps me going is the thought of finding a diamond in the rough, and by that I mean the opportunity to scout out new local businesses that I might not have found out about otherwise, and then share them with you all. In previous years this has led me to finds such as the MiaMaxx Hand-Held Thruster and Cloudnine Hummingbird, and it’s even where I first met Geeky Sex Toys, who I now work for. But it was at the most recent convention that I first came into contact with a small business who I believe represents everything this industry needs right now, and that business was Deeper Blue Ceramics.
The Brand
Deeper Blue Ceramics is a small Australian-based business that has been creating handmade ceramic sex toys for around a year now. It’s the sort of beautiful ceramic work that I am use to seeing at indie markets in the form of plant pots or dinnerware, except this time that finesse and skill has instead been applied to creating dildos. When I first saw their stand at Sexpo last year I was immediately intrigued by the beauty of it all, but what was more impressive was just how passionate they clearly were about their work once we started talking. One of the main things that stood out to me though, other than their focus on aesthetically beautiful and unique body-safe products, was just how environmentally conscious they were, and I remember the two of us sharing complaints about the immense level of waste associated with sex toys. As such, they work with a zero-waste mindset, and achieve this by doing things such as recycling and reusing all excess clay, water and tools, and using sustainably sourced packaging that is compostable (and in most cases made from recycled paper and cardboard), just to name a few. This sustainable approach, combined with toys that should last you a lifetime, really reflects the way I think the sex toy industry needs to head in the future, and so I couldn’t have been more excited when they offered to send me one of their products for review.
Product Description
With a specialisation in mostly non-phallic dildos (and a few dinner sets), currently the range at Deeper Blue Ceramics is quite small and your choice of products will mostly depend on your colour and size preferences, however if you do really want something different then they are open to custom designs. For this review I was sent a Lilac Matte, which is just one of their many unique pieces. Tones of light blue cover this piece, with slight variations here and there which highlight its hand-made quality, whilst the smooth matte coating is pleasant to the touch. With a length of about 13cm / 5″ (about 11cm / 4.3″ insertable) and a diameter of 3.5cm / 1.4″, this toy definitely on the small side, however that seems appropriate for its firm density. While my Lilac Matte isn’t a perfect replica of its product listing, with a flatter head and less tapered shaft than it appears on the website, that is to be expected of a hand-made toy and it is exciting to consider that there isn’t another Lilac Matte out there quite like mine. Then, while it’s hard to tell from just my photos, the toy’s shaft isn’t completely smooth, as there are small bumps and ridges along the way, which add an element of texture to the product. At the very end of the toy is then another ridge, however this one is quite large and obvious, and this acts to create a small handle-like area where you can place your fingers during use. Lastly, whilst all of the insertable portions of the toy feature the body-safe coating and colour, the bottom of the base has been left bare and thus is quite rough. The only element that you will find on the base is the company logo, which has been etched into the clay, and I think is a really nice personal touch that further emphasises the hand-made nature of the item.
Packaging
My order for the Deeper Blue Ceramics Lilac Matte was placed around the 27th of January and I promptly received it by the 4th of February. There was no mention of what the contents were, however the label did list the sender as Deeper Blue Ceramics. Thankfully though unless your mailman or nosy housemate bothers to look up what that is, they’re pretty unlikely to assume it is a sex toy. As you’d imagine, the packaging for the Lilac Matte was then very simple, with the product arriving in a small box made out of recycled card, and the only brand indication being a small sticker with the Deeper Blue Ceramics logo on it. Inside the box the toy was then beautifully wrapped in some branded tissue paper, whilst the whole thing was well protected through the use of packaging materials. Then, in addition to the toy itself, a small card was also included which lists care instructions for the product. Overall I am very happy with this packaging as it is minimal and involves nothing unnecessary, and every element is either reusable or recyclable. Plus, the box also doubles as a great place to keep your toy in-between uses, due to the included padding and how visually discreet it is.
My Experience
Despite the Lilac’s small size I was unsure if I would be able to insert it without warming up first due to its firm material, but thankfully it turns out that it is able to go in quite easily after a good quality lubricant has been applied. Still, if I do want to make insertion even smoother then using a small silicone toy first, such as the Funkit Toys NoFrillDo or Godemiche Ambit, works perfectly. An important factor to keep in mind about this toy prior to insertion, however, is the fact that it is very sensitive to temperature, and as such it will start off quite cold. This makes it perfect for temperature play though, and it’s very easy to warm up under a tap or in a bowl of water prior to use, which can be essential during winter. Whether I heat it up or not, inserting something that has its own temperature immediately adds an extra form of sensation to my play that I am not use to, and I love the feeling of it slowly warming to meet my body temperature during use. Then, after a couple of minutes of being inside of me it will become quite hot, and this in particular is a form of stimulation that I adore, as it adds a new level of pleasure to my use of the Lilac Matte. Unfortunately, due to its shape and size I am unable to stimulate any of my pleasure points with it, however I have found that it can rub the outside of my G-Spot, which is still quite pleasurable. My favourite way to use the Lilac Matte though has just been to thrust it in and out, and its firmness really helps to heighten this sensation, as it makes even the weakest of thrusts feel powerful and intense. Then, adding a clitoral vibrator to the mix, such as the Dame Kip or Hot Octopuss AMO, really allows me to have some absolutely excellent orgasms with this product. The only downside I would suggest regarding the Lilac Matte is that due to the length of it my fingers do get quite messy, but having the little ridge to protect them definitely helps with this, and I do think that if it was any longer then it may not be as comfortable to thrust with.
Cleaning & Care
Since the Deeper Blue Ceramics Lilac Matte is both waterproof and body-safe, cleaning it is easy. As it notes on the care details card, taking care of your ceramic toy is very similar to taking care of a coffee mug, as after use you can just lightly wash it by hand or in the dishwasher with a soap of your choice. You should also be careful when handling it to avoid damage, and make sure to check over the toy for any potential chips or cracks prior to use. After cleaning you can then display your beautiful toy somewhere, or for more discreet storage you can put it back in its original packaging (since the packaging is a little big for my tastes I’ve particularly taken to wrapping it in a furoshiki for protection, which is what it is displayed on in these photos).
Final Thoughts
I’ve spoken many times on the blog about the products that I am sent often feeling more like works of art than sex toys, but the Deeper Blue Ceramics Lilac Matte takes that to an entirely new level. I am a big fan of handmade ceramic pieces and regularly buy this sort of thing at local markets, so being able to now combine my love for this with sex toys just couldn’t be any more perfect. Not to mention how important sustainability and the zero-waste movement has become to me over the last year or so (which is surprisingly very difficult to abide by as a sex toy reviewer). With its subtle design this product could easily fit in amongst other home decor items, allowing it to remain discreet (clearly it is a scrunchie holder), but its simplicity is also what makes it one of my most aesthetically pleasing dildos yet. Plus, the best bit is that this toy isn’t just all looks, as it feels simply amazing in use too. The smooth yet firm texture, alongside its temperature play abilities, all work to prove that ceramic is an excellent medium for a sex toy, whilst the design allows for these elements to not become too overwhelming during use. Then, to top it all off is the fact that the Lilac Matte is actually quite cheap, since with a price tag of only $80 AUD this is a lot less than you’ll typically find for such a high quality hand-made toy. Overall this is an excellent product from a brand with a great ethos, and there has truly never been a better time to support small independent toy makers like this!
Last updated: 14/8/24
Price at the time of writing: $80 AUD / $52 USD
Material - 95%
Appearance - 95%
Solo - 80%
Partner - 70%
85%
Great
A beautiful toy that uses its unique ceramic material for full effect with its temperature play abilities and subtle design.
I received this product in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. Affiliate links have been used in this post.