Silver Run Ceramics: Curio Mug

Michelle at Silver Run Ceramics is a seriously talented artist. She not only shows her passion and creativity through her art but also in the way she runs her business. When I had initially purchased this mug it had a minute hairline crack in the rim. Normally I don't mind imperfections but I was afraid it would compromise the mug and eventually lead to breakage. I shipped the mug back to her and she readily made me a replacement.  

I truly appreciated it. This curiosity mug features a handful of bluebird specimens, cicadas, teeth and eggs, nests and snakes and fish among other natural fascinations.

The detail is impressive. The colors are vibrant.

I happily drink from this piece as often as possible.

If you haven't followed Michelle on Instagram you are missing out. Watching her creative process is inspiring. 

I have been behaving reasonably well as far mug purchases. I have one custom from CBe Ceramics on its way eventually but that is it. I believe my collection is in its final stages. When I get my display completed I will feature it all. 

Do you collect anything? How do you know it is complete? 

Lori Phillips Ceramics: Mushroom Coffee Mug

Ladies and gentlemen... I present to you.... the mushroom mug of my dreams. Yes. I dream about mushroom mugs.

Lori Phillips is the potter and artist and fungi aficionado behind Lori Phillips Ceramics out of Arizona. She specializes in mugs, incense dishes, incense burners, plates and pipes stylized after some of her mushroom muses. 

She does sell out pretty quickly so this is definitely a scenario where you follow her IG updates for restock times and set your alarm. After getting my mug I feel like it is utterly worth it. This multi-layered piece is a cornucopia of textures and colors. The purple bark-like top and bottom possess a satiny sheen with almost duo-chrome qualities, shifting from maroon to silvery lavender. The buttery yellow center is glassy and shiny, yet pitted with depth. The green mossy lichen feels like the raspy bones of coral. The mushroom fans and dotties are my favorite details.

The inside has this stunning aqua glaze. The handle is a one finger handle. I will say that the dimensions of the mug were hard for me to gauge online and for some reason I thought these were bigger and bulkier than they really are, which turned out to be a pleasant surprise to discover otherwise! It has a nice thin wall and light but sturdy feel.

The bottom is fluted but stands flat and echos the gills of a mushroom. The maker's stamp is in the center button.

I did pick up an incense plate holder too that I will share after we move since I packed all my incense and most of my non-necessities. My eyes are on an incense burner. Those things look epic, like wild blooming fungi in some fantastic primitive forest.

Doesn't this mug look like art? 

Is it weird to dream about mushroom mugs?

CBe Ceramics: Totoro Mug

My dear friends. I cannot begin to tell you how freakin' excited I am about this mug. Cate at CBe Ceramics created her two sided Totoro mugs ages ago and I have been stalking her ever since I discovered them on her IG page. She mentioned bringing them back for a pre-order and I stalked twice as hard. Alarms were set, nervous jitters ensued and I even drug a friend into the melee. Once these handsome chunky fellas hit the Etsy shelves we both managed to snag one.

Totoro is a magical Miyzaki film that features a creature of the same name. No one is quite sure what type of entity Totoro is exactly but I like to believe him a guardian forest creature. He is lovingly illustrated on this mug both in the nighttime on his favorite tree perch and during the day up to his frolicsome shenanigans.  

I have had the joy of watching Cate hand carve her art painstakingly on the mugs she throws via her IG stories in the past. Even just the lined border takes her considerable time and meticulous attention.

The inside of the mug is a desert sky blue. And the tiny tree rings in that handle tuck a tiny sliver of happiness in my heart. 

Cate finesses details in a way that takes my breath away. Little spots of art like this handle turned twig, add so much to the overall piece.

The glazing merges sea foam blue with rocky tones of slate and speckled granite that fade upward into the umber then ocre hues of golden hour. The sides, handle and Totoro are sleek and shiny while the borders and night sky are sandy textured.

This mug is the bee's knees. I will cherish it for a long time to come. Thankfully my girls love Totoro too and will be happy to share it with me.

This pre-order ran along her previous turn around times at about 6-8 weeks. I love that Cate offers pre-orders and custom pieces.

If you were to get a custom mug or planter from Cate, what would you want her to make you?

CBe Ceramics: Redwoods Tumbler

Cate Be's art really strikes a chord within me. I have one of her goddess mugs and it is a joy to drink coffee from in the mornings. Cate, the maker behind CBe Ceramics, has been having a nice mixture of ready to ship pottery pieces for sale along with a few pre-orders. This redwoods tumbler was part of a pre-order I placed in mid-January. The pre-orders take about 6-8 weeks to be made. 

I also picked up another of Cate's fire cider tonics which I will write about another time (if I don't use it all up before then).

I love this tumbler. It is great for iced coffee, juices, tea and milk. I enjoy the small saying that Cate often includes on the back of her creations. I also love that she changes up small details in the designs so that all her creations morph and flex with her inspiration yet have the same heart and soul.

And her glazes are incredible. Rusted browns and sunset oranges run and pool with turquoise stones and jade hues. 

I was thrilled to place a pre-order for one of Cate's two-sided Totoro mugs. She will probably be having a custom order opening in late April. 

I have yet to see the redwoods but I will be happy to drink from them until I can one day. What plant or tree would you like to see in person one day?

Pottery Love: Swell Ceramics

I have enjoyed hand thrown pottery for a while but have really only picked up pieces here and there in travel. Recently, through the lens of IG, my eyes have spotted more and more fabulous pottery and ceramic arts. Swell Ceramics is one I follow on IG and has been the recipient of many longing gazes. This particular Mountains to Sea NC mug sent me over the edge of admiration to must actually drink my tea out of that. 

I scooped up the second to last one for $35, it holds 12 ounces of drink. Shipping was $9 and it arrived in perfect condition and swiftly too. Melanie was leaving for a trip and I did not expect to get it until after July 2nd, but she kindly squeezed me in at the last minute.

The texture on the mug is like a softly polished sandstone, a little porous and uneven on the fingers and I love it. The front portion with the mountain and wave scene is hand carved, then hand painted and drawn. The mug is dishwasher and microwave safe. 

I am eyeing her desert mugs with the teal glaze rims. So lovely. 

Another potter I tried to order from recently was Ox and Otter but alas, I was not swift enough. I thought wax Hunger Games were bad... this one was epically intense. Maybe next restock in July. 

Do you enjoy pottery? Mugs? Have any favorite potters or ceramic artists? Please share!