Mugshot Monday - “Striped Lake Superior Mug” by Jonathan Warburg of Lake Superior Pottery  with Morning Glory Cold Brew by Peace Coffee

This is a really cool mug that my wife bought me when we were at the Stone Arch Bridge Festival on Sunday. It was a surprise Father’s Day gift. 🥰

I was stoked to meet Jonathan IRL (we follow each other on Instagram) and learn about how he makes and fires his work at his Washburn, WI studio.

The clay he used for this mug is really interesting. He starts with porcelain and mixes it with Lake Superior sand. Then he makes a black slip made of crushed dark rock and paints the stripes on.

He describes his work as, “Simple ingredients. A piece of the area.” That’s very cool.

I enjoy these are festivals because I get to chat with the potters and ask questions about their work. I learn so much from them and it’s always super inspiring.

I also get to pick up their cups and see how they feel. One thing I didn’t realize about Jonathan’s work is how incredibly thin his pots are. So thin, yet they’re strong and sturdy. It’s really impressive.

I didn’t plan on buying anything at the festival this year, but I was told there’s a certain way I hold a mug when am really torn about if I should buy it or not. 😂 I had no idea.

After I put this mug back down on the table, my wife Cindy picked it up and when Jonathan and I were done chatting, she told him she needed to buy it for me.

She was right. I love this mug.

Give Lake Superior Pottery a follow on Instagram (@jonathanwalburg) and check out more of his amazing work. I’m sure he’ll post about some more art festivals he’ll be at this summer.

I was going to have some afternoon earl grey tea today, but the 90º+ temps here in Minneapolis convinced me to have some Peace Coffee cold brew instead. REFRESHING.

Cheers! ☕️ 😀

Read about a few more potters I talked to at the Stone Arch Bridge Festival on Sunday.

See also my 690+ photos from the Mugshot Monday project here: www.MugshotMonday.com – Every Mug Has A Story

Mugshot Monday - "Porcelain Stoneware Dragonfly Whiskey Sipper" by Bigboxcar Ceramics with Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey by Woodford Reserve

This cup was doomed to succeed! 😀

I wanted to try making a stoneware cup with a porcelain dragonfly, thinking the white porcelain would really “pop” when placed on the darker stoneware clay body.

My instructor at Northern Clay Center told me it likely will just fall off in bisque firing or in glaze firing.

Science tells us that the two different clay bodies shrink at very different rates, so combining them likely will cause the attachments to separate.

But she was stoked and said I should give it a try!

And then it made it after bisque.

And then it made it through the glaze firing and I really like how it turned out!

However, this cup has got some issues.

The glaze flaked around the dragonfly, so I don’t think it will survive too long if I use it often.

I decided to use it today for my Mugshot Monday and tell its story before I retire it to the display shelf. I love that the experiment worked.

Cheers! 🥃 😀

PS: Thanks to my friend Kate for recommending in the comments of a previous Mugshot Monday that I try Woodford Reserve bourbon. It’s delicious!

See also my 690+ photos from the Mugshot Monday project here: www.MugshotMonday.com – Every Mug Has A Story

Mugshot Monday - “Prairie Sunflower” mug by Matthew Metz with Morning Glory Signature Blend by Peace Coffee

Here’s another fine mug we picked up at this year’s St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour. I’ve been a fan of Metz’s work for a while now and have lamented not buying one of his mugs before.

So I didn’t put this one down.

It’s a BIG potbelly mug holding 16oz of coffee. It will be perfect for iced cold brew on the porch this summer.

Metz’s handles are super comfortable and the soda-fired glaze is really smooth. But the sgraffito texture is still prominent and feels really good when I hold the mug. His artwork makes me smile.

Happy Monday, y'all. We’ve got a senior graduating from high school next week, so it’s a very busy and exciting time right now. I’m so proud of him.

Cheers! ☕️ 🤩

See also my 690+ photos from the Mugshot Monday project here: www.MugshotMonday.com – Every Mug Has A Story

Mugshot Monday - “Parkview Drip Grind Coffee” mug by Westwood Yesteryear with Morning Glory Cold Brew by Peace Coffee

I don’t remember the pollen being this gnarly on a Memorial Day weekend in Minneapolis. I’m a mess. Watery eyes, snot-faucet, the whole experience.

We had literal clouds of pollen wafting through our alley all day!

I really shouldn’t complain at all because the weather was absolutely fantastic this weekend. It was just beautiful.

I took this mugshot around 10am *before* we started with the yardwork we’ve been intentionally putting off during no-mow-may. I knew my allergies were going to kick in, and I was right. (There is no *after* shot, sorry.)

This Parkview Coffee mug is another one of my Westwood Yesteryear faux coffee brand mugs sold in the 90s. I love the illustrations and I love that type treatment. Such a cool cup.

Today we remember the veterans who paid the ultimate sacrifice fighting for our country. Raise a mug if you have one.

See also my 690+ photos from the Mugshot Monday project here: www.MugshotMonday.com – Every Mug Has A Story

Mugshot Monday - “Mill City Farmers Market mug” by Christy Wetzig with Vienna Roast by Cafe Palmira

The Mill City Farmers Market is back on the summer schedule occupying the space between the Guthrie Theater and the Mill City Museum in downtown Minneapolis.

It’s my favorite farmers market. We buy our honey from Ames Farms and had a meat share through Sunshine Harvest Farm and we’ve met many artists selling their work over the years.

I met Christy way back in December 2016 during the winter version of the farmers market when it moves indoors into the museum. I used one of her birdie tumblers for my Monday New Year’s Eve Mugshot back in 2019.

Last Saturday, I was stoked to see that Christy made some custom Mill City Farmers Market coffee mugs! I caught up with her and her daughter while they were selling pottery at their booth.

You can see the ‘rooster on the fire hydrant’ impression on my new mug when the sun hits it just right. Check out that excellent little divot under the handle for your thumb. Nice touch.

Christy wood fires her pots at her Frederic, Wisconsin home and teaches ceramics locally. Her work is delightful.

I was drinking some delicious light roast from Cafe Palmira’s booth, a frequent vendor at the farmers market. Their beans are direct from their family farm in Guatemala and they roast them locally here in Minnesota.

I lament not picking up a bag of beans! Next time.

Thanks to my son Milo for snapping a great Mugshot Monday of me and Christy (and a perfect photobomb by her daughter 😀). Cheers!

You can buy one of these custom Mill City Farmers Market mugs on Saturdays while supplies last at the market’s information table.

See also my 690+ photos from the Mugshot Monday project here: www.MugshotMonday.com – Every Mug Has A Story

Mugshot Monday - “Blueish O|O Mug” by Alana Cuellar with Ethiopia Single Origin Light Roast by Peace Coffee

I’m so happy to use my new Alana Cuellar coffee mug this morning after picking it up at the 31st Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour last weekend. 🤩 ☕️

The pottery tour is such a fun way to see a ton of great pottery. There are 8 studios in the tour hosting 5-7 potters each. It runs 3 days over Mother’s Day weekend every year.

I was really hoping Alana was still making mugs with this design so we made the Guillermo Cuellar and Alana Cuellar studio our first stop on Friday.

A few years ago, I met Alana at the Mill City Farmer’s Market where she had a booth displaying her work. I held in my hand a mug just like this one and I always lamented not buying it.

I love the feel of this mug. The pattern with the O’s and the |’s is so beautiful. I like how the the stain turns bright blue in some places.

I had a chance to chat a little with Alana about pottery and mugs and how beautiful a day it turned out to be. Smiles all around.

I love my new mug. Cheers! 😀 🙌🏻

Btw, if you’re curious about how Alana applies the stain to this kind of mug, she has a cool video on her Instagram. So satisfying to watch!

See also my 690+ photos from the Mugshot Monday project here: www.MugshotMonday.com – Every Mug Has A Story

Mugshot Monday - “Amber Celadon Porcelain Mug” by Chris Singewald with Ethiopia Single Origin Light Roast by Peace Coffee

Back in January, Chris Singewald was my wheel throwing instructor at Northern Clay Center.

I took the class to finally learn how to make some mugs on the wheel using porcelain clay. I never had any luck with porcelain because it’s so difficult to work with.

Chris taught me some key techniques that got me over the hump and I was stoked with my results!

I’ve known Chris on Instagram for some time now (@christopherchrischris), so it was great to meet him IRL.

This past weekend, he was selling his pots at Rumriver Art Center where he is their new Ceramics Director teaching pottery classes.

I was totally enamored with his soda fired amber celadon porcelain mugs. I’ve tried using this tricky glaze and had very mixed results.

Those horizontal grooves are “glaze catchers” that allow the amber celadon to pool when fired. When it pools, the glaze gets really dark creating some lovely contrast.

Another nice touch on this mug is the drain hole on the foot so water doesn’t get trapped after running it through the dishwasher. Super clever.

Thanks for this delightful mug, Chris! And thanks for helping me progress with my wheel throwing. 🤩 ☕️ 🙌🏻

See also my 685+ photos from the Mugshot Monday project here: www.MugshotMonday.com – Every Mug Has A Story

Mugshot Monday - “May-Day Brand Coffee” mug by Westwood Yesteryear with tangy Morning Glory Signature Blend by Peace Coffee

Happy May Day to those who celebrate!

I honestly wasn’t sure what the “May Day” holiday was in regards to a celebration. I’ve always know it was May 1st, but I’ve never really done something as an official holiday.

I think May Day is all about Spring and maypole dancing. I can get behind that.

But having some legit “spring” in Minneapolis weather would be nice, right?

I’ve got the perfect mug for today: “May Day Coffee”. It’s another one of my new Westwood Yesteryear faux coffee brand mugs.

I love the slogan…“Delightful old-time Arabian tang”!!!

Have a great Monday May Day all you awesome people! 🤩 🌸 🕺

See also my 685+ photos from the Mugshot Monday project here: www.MugshotMonday.com – Every Mug Has A Story

Mugshot Monday - “Daily Delight Coffee” coffee mug by Westwood Yesteryear with radiant roasted Morning Glory Signature Blend by Peace Coffee

What daily delight do you have in your mug this morning?

This delightful mug is part of a fantastic set of “vintage” coffee mugs manufactured in the ‘90s by Westwood Yesteryear.

They are “faux vintage” because none of the brands featured actually existed. But they’re actually becoming “vintage” themselves these days. That cracks me up. 😂

I’ve slowly been finding these cups over the years, but a recent development has accelerated the numbers in my collection significantly! I can’t wait to share them all with you.

Cheers! 🤩 ☕️ 🙌🏻

See also my 685+ photos from the Mugshot Monday project here: www.MugshotMonday.com – Every Mug Has A Story

Mugshot Monday - "Porcelain Stamped Sipper" with Keeper’s Heart Irish American Whiskey, specially bottled for Zipps Liquors by O'Shaughnessy Distilling Company

This year, I challenged myself to make some cups using a porcelain clay body. This is one of the cups that turned out.

Porcelain is this fickle, smooshy, warbly clay body and I struggled to keep this cup standing up straight.

I’ve used this texture stamper before with stoneware and loved the results. And the pattern highlights from the Ursula’s Blue glaze comes off in such a soft and subtle way.

I really like this cup and I’m totally enjoying it this evening, but I’m not sure I’ll make many more of them.

Speaking of enjoying things! This Keeper’s Heart Irish American Whiskey is sooooo good.

I was at my neighborhood liquore store, Zipps Liquors, this weekend and noticed Keeper’s Heart samples were available.

I went to O'Shaughnessy Distilling Company when they opened in 2021 and it was a delightful experience. It’s a great space with really good food and amazing Old Fashioneds.

The awesome rep from Keeper’s Heart told me that Zipps helped pick the blend and determined it’d be finished in Virgin Oak Barrels.

It’s delicious. It felt like a good evening to sit on the porch and take in Minnesota’s second spring. Cheers! 🤩 🥃 🌅

See also my 680+ photos from the Mugshot Monday project here: www.MugshotMonday.com – Every Mug Has A Story

Mugshot Monday - "Fly" coffee mug with Morning Glory Signature Blend by Peace Coffee

What’s your interpretation of this coffee mug?

It has a really nice black ink drawing of an empty ornate birdcage hanging from the ceiling with the simplistic lowercase word “fly”.

This is one of those thrift store coffee mug finds where I’m intrigued enough by the ambiguity so I buy it.

I can’t find anything about the maker of this mug.

There are a few hits on eBay, including a post by janey selling this same mug along with a similarly inspiring version that has an illustration of a candelabra and the lowercase word “shine”.

It’s so deep!

It feels like this “fly” mug encourages us to escape from the oppressive capitalistic society and to be free from systematic oppression.

But I don’t know for sure. 🤔

I’ll have another cup of coffee and marinate on that a little.

What do you think it means?

See a few more of my “unknown” thrift store mugs I’ve stumbled upon:

• Unknown “A lifetime will forever be a lifetime, and a girl will forever be a girl” coffee mug
• “A Little Bit of Hardship in Daily Life” coffee mug by Unknown Maker

See also my 680+ photos from the Mugshot Monday project here: www.MugshotMonday.com – Every Mug Has A Story

Mugshot Monday - "Anonymous Moose Mug" with Potpourri and Pine Cones

We just rolled back in to Minneapolis after a quick Spring Break getaway to Duluth!

Our two youngest boys got in one more downhill skiing and snowboarding session this year at Spirit Mountain.

Cindy and I took the dogs to Hartley Park on a beautiful snowshoe/bike trail that was so packed down we didn’t even need snowshoes!

When I’m at these house rentals on a Monday, I look to feature the best mug in the cupboard as my Mugshot Monday. Over the years, it’s been fun to leave it to serendipity as to what I find.

For this trip, the coolest mug in the house was actually on the bookshelf! It’s a hand thrown beautifully decorated stoneware piece featuring a large moose.

I couldn’t find any artist stamp or signature on this mug, so I have no idea who made it. It’s so lovely.

And so was our short Spring Break trip to Duluth.

We got back late today after going to the Great Lakes Aquarium this morning and then having a delicious lunch at Sir Benedicts Tavern and scooping up some excellent ice cream at Love Creamery.

Cheers! 🤩 ☕️

See also my 680+ photos from the Mugshot Monday project here: www.MugshotMonday.com – Every Mug Has A Story

Mugshot Monday - "Rust Red" coffee mug by Karl Keel Pottery with Morning Glory Signature Blend by Peace Coffee

This is my new Karl Keel Pottery coffee mug and it’s a beauty.

It’s soda fired with David East flashing slip on the outside and Leach White glaze on the inside. The clay body is stoneware with iron–my favorite. I love it.

I caught up with Karl at Northern Clay Center last week when I stopped by pick up some of my glazed work and to check out his new studio space.

We took a class together back in 2019 and I’ve always been so impressed with the incredible suite of functional pottery he creates.

He makes awesome mugs, but he also makes teapots, jars, serving bowls, lasagna pans, pitchers, and even pie plates! He makes it look so easy, too.

Karl doesn’t have an online store, so if you’re interested picking up some of his work, send a direct message on Instagram (@kk_pottery) or drop him an email: karlkeel1[at]comcast[dot]net

I’m really looking forward to seeing what he comes up with now that he’s in his own space.

Cheers! 🤩 ☕️

See also my 680+ photos from the Mugshot Monday project here: www.MugshotMonday.com – Every Mug Has A Story

Mugshot Monday - "Java Mitt ‘coffee mug’“ by Trident Invents with Organic Earl Grey Tea by The Northern Lights Tea Company, with guest appearance by Jessica Marie!

My friend Jess and I went to The Northern Lights Tea Company in the downtown Minneapolis skyway to enjoy some much deserved Monday Morning tea.

If you’ve never been there then you’re in for a treat. Not only do they have excellent daily tea specials, they also have some amazing tea pots, infusers, mugs, kettles and other tea paraphernalia.

I bought my JAVA MITT paper cup sleeve at the shop a few months ago when I was totally smitten that I could now make a mug out of PAPER TO-GO CUP I GET.

Seems like a good win for the environment as well. I’m so stoked to own one. (I bring my favorite to-go cup whenever I can!)

Northern Lights has been in the skyway since 2008 after moving from their Grand Avenue shop in St. Paul. They’re at at 811 LaSalle Avenue (Skyway level), next to Alpha Graphics (Google Maps link).

I love that Jess was able to join me in today’s mugshot and I also love that Northern Lights Kirsten enthusiastically photobombed the shot!

Btw, if you’re looking to pick up one of these JAVA MITT sleeves, they’ve sold out at Northern Lights and so has the rest of the internet (Amazon, caffeineaddicts.com)

As far as I can tell, Trident Invents is the company that produces them, so you could reach out to them.

I just remembered I forgot to buy some loose-leaf Earl Grey for home brewing, so I’ll have to stop by tomorrow. They also sell their tea—and more—online if you can’t make it to the skyway: northernlightstea.com

Love this tea shop. Cheers! 🤩 ☕️

See also my 680+ photos from the Mugshot Monday project here: www.MugshotMonday.com – Every Mug Has A Story

Mugshot Monday - "Brown Sgraffito" coffee mug by Gordon C. Krause with Snowshoe Seasonal Blend by Peace Coffee

This coffee mug was made by my mother’s cousin Gordy Krause. He’s an awesome human and an incredible potter.

I believe he has officially “retired” now from his ceramics business in Sheboygan, WI.

This 2008 mug has the same stain as our wedding gift from Gordy and his wife Jean given to use waaaaaay back in 1995.

It’s beautiful plate with a cross and rings sgraffito decoration along with our former names and wedding date stamped at the top and bottom. I love it.

It’s not a complete match, but close enough considering our wedding plate is 13 years older than this mug.

Growing up surrounded by his mugs, plates, lamps, and mirrors my parents and other relatives have purchased over the years has subconsciously influenced me my entire life.

And now I love that I have my own Gordy Krause collection to admire.

My mom said Gordy did all of this sgraffito freehand and somehow he’d make it all match up when he was finished carving. Amazing.

I find myself seeing his work in a new context now that I’m taking pottery classes and trying to learn how to make my own mugs. I’m even more in awe!

Cheers! ☕️ 🤩

Be sure to see some of my other Gordy C. Krause cups.

See also my 680+ photos from the Mugshot Monday project here: www.MugshotMonday.com – Every Mug Has A Story