FAQ's
Is your work microwave and dishwasher safe? Yes! Everything I make is fired to Cone 6 in my Skutt automatic kiln and is microwave and dishwasher safe.
Do you ship your work? Yes! I do ship within Canada. Please contact to enquire.
Do you take orders? Yes! I am happy to discuss custom and pre-orders of items seen in my Collections between January - September of each year. Please allow 3-4 weeks lead time. After September pre-orders may not be possible due to the high volume of inventory prep for holiday markets!
Do you sell your work in any stores in Calgary? Yes! I have been selling running themed mugs at Strides Fish Creek in Calgary and am in negotiation with several other shops at the moment (announcements will be made in social media and in my newsletter!) For wholesale and gallery enquiries, please contact for my catalogue or to discuss options.
How do you make your pottery? Until last year most of my work was constructed using slabs of clay I roll out with a Northstar slab roller in my home pottery studio. I still make all my plates and platters this way. I have really developed developed my wheel throwing skills though and now all of my mugs and large forms such as teapots, large bowls and vases are made on my pottery wheel.
. .
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 2.5-4 hours (depending on the design) to throw, trim, 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 $110.
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? My favourites are Tucker's Bright White Cone 6 Porcelain, Tucker's CCSS (a toasty speckled brown), Laguna Miller 50 and PSH Dark Granite