FAQ's
How do you make your pottery? Everything I make is constructed using slabs of clay I roll out with a Northstar slab roller in my home pottery studio. I then sculpt everything into form by hand with sculpting tools and shaping forms to help me achieve different effects. I also use a small banding wheel to achieve symmetry and to help clean up or “trim” my pieces.
What is the "Mishima" carving technique? Mishima is a pottery technique that involves carving fine lines or patterns into a clay surface. These lines or patterns are then filled with contrasting coloured slips or glaze. Once the slip or glaze dries, the excess is scraped away to reveal an inlaid design inside the lines. I take this a step further by then colouring in my images with a wide variety of coloured underglazes. This gives the work a stained glass and sometimes "mosaic" effect. Each piece is a visual and tactile experience.
How long does one of your carved mugs take you to make? Each mug takes about 3-4 hours (depending on the design) to build, carve, hand paint and glaze with multiple layers of glazes to achieve the effect I am looking for. Each piece also requires several days of drying and two 12 hour kiln firings.
Do you do custom work? Yes! I have created many custom pieces (such as landscape scenes and monogramed mugs for example) for customers. All I need is a quality photo to work from! If you would like to pre-order a similar mug to one of my designs (such as a mountain or animal mosaic piece), you can email me at calicomoonpottery@gmail.com to discuss. Custom projects range in prices but a typical custom mug costs $75 CAD.
How do I care for my Calico Moon Pottery? Calico Moon pottery is food safe and is suitable for the dishwasher and the microwave. Avoid thermal shock (ex. do not add very cold contents after removing from dishwasher or hot water if mug has been in the fridge.) Handwashing is recommended.
What temperature do you fire to? I fire to cone 6 (2200F/1200C) in my Skutt Automatic kiln in a professionally installed vented space in my home studio.
What glazes do you use? I use various glazes from commercial companies like Mayco, Amaco and Coyote, I do not make homemade glaze mixes at this time.
What kind of clay do you use? I am currently alternating between my two favourites Cone 6 clays: PSH Dark Granite and Tuckers CCSS (a toasty speckled brown).