November Mug of the Month is here: Shelly Dobi

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"Over the past several decades working in my own pottery studio, I’ve had the privilege of making what I wanted, when I wanted. My day job as an elementary teacher allowed my clay time to become an escape from the demands of others, a quiet space where I could follow my own curiosity and create what made me happy. As an artist, I moved through various phases, making certain types or styles of pieces until I felt ready to explore something new. I never worried about what might sell; that was never the goal. I simply hoped that my work would bring people joy.

The Mug of the Month project took me in a very different direction. Creating multiple versions on the same theme was a real stretch for me.

I chose a subject close to my heart: Lake Erie. Wandering the beaches and finding little “treasures” along the shoreline is one of the most peaceful ways to spend a summer day. Some of my most cherished childhood memories are family vacations at Presque Isle State Park. The sunsets there, warm, glowing, unforgettable and became the inspiration for my design.

Once the mugs were thrown and the fence motif was worked out, I faced a challenge: the handle. I usually create textured handles cut from slabs, but these mugs needed something that felt true to the theme. After much thought, I decided to add texture using the actual treasures I had gathered while beach-combing along Lake Erie.

Then it was time to glaze. Finding colors that suggested a sunset over the water took some trial and error. I ultimately chose warm tones, simply because they felt right and because I love them.

I’m truly pleased with how these mugs turned out. With each one, I’m including a small collection of beach treasures, including the exact piece used to imprint the handle. My hope is that as these mugs are used, they bring back the warmth of sunsets from your own memories.

Thank you to Septimus and POCG for inviting me to be part of this project and for all the support along the way. I absolutely loved making these mugs."

~Shelly

Shelly's Final Design...

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