Autumn Awe, Fall Festivals, and Mug Magic

Some finished and newly glazed mugs drying in the morning for firing on tomorrow.

I've been creating ceramic decals for the IBMA Bluegrass Festival mugs, ornaments, and coasters. I'm excited to share the designs with you and can't wait for the upcoming festival, where you can get your hands on one of these new items! A handcrafted mug brings unique warmth to chilly autumn days. The designs are Raleigh-centric, and keeping with the time of year, I've used the warm colors of Fall to help remind attendees of their excellent experience here in the City of Oaks.

From top left: Sir Walter Ornament, an acorn banjo mug decal, squirrel mug/ornament, and the Sir Walter Raleigh mug decal. There is magic happening in the ceramic world. When printed with clay-compatible chemicals, these images will become overglaze waterslide decals. Overglazed means applying the decal to a glazed pot. To use, cut the decal out and put it in a bowl of warm water; after a few minutes, you can slide the decal from the paper onto the glaze mug and fire it to a low temperature (about 1400 degrees F). The glaze softens just enough for the decal to bond with it, like a kiss, and ta-dah, the image is now microwave and dishwasher-safe.

This image is a photoshopped file. When fired, the colors will be earthier than portrayed here.

From a user's point of view, I'm delighted with the mugs. They're comfortable in your hands, and the handles are large enough that you can cuddle your mug (which is what I like to do) or use them. The lip of the mugs feels good against your lips, and when you take a sip, it doesn't drip. The decals are ordered, and although I'm calling it close, I'm sure I won't let myself down and they’ll be ready for the show.

I'll also have new lamps and vases in vivid fall hues and various sizes, along with the show-specific wares. I have lots to be excited about right now. First, it's Fall, and the 60-degree mornings are most agreeable. I'll return to Ash County to teach in early October, and then a trip to Italy, where I'll take an advanced class with Rachel Wood. The class is called the Infinite Vessel, but I'm most interested in her surface decoration. And if that isn't enough, I'll be renovating my little (826 sq ft) rental unit.

It'll be tile-tacular. I'm making the tiles for the bathroom now, but I also plan to tile the kitchen backsplash, the living room, and the kitchen floors. More to come on this.