Cosmic/Mountain Mug Giveaway & Survey: The Future of Cherrico Pottery

I hope everyone had a great New Year’s celebration! The Kickstarter is over and all of the Holiday pottery shipped globally. If you’re a backer and still waiting for your pottery, please know that I am getting back to the pottery wheel in just a couple weeks. Everyone should have pottery delivered much earlier than the projected March 1st. deadline.

In the meantime, please enjoy another free mug giveaway!

Cosmic/Mountain Mug Giveaway & Survey

Your feedback will help us decide the best ways to move forward with post-Kickstarter funds.

I’m off to the Rockies for my annual trip out of the Midwest and into the mountains. Traveling on the Amtrak Train provides 22 hours each way to write, design new pottery and to plan the next step for the business and pottery studio.

“…it is obvious that Shoji [Hamada] approached his life and work in a holistic manner, and that his workshop, house, clothes, and lifestyle were all related to his greater motivation for working in clay.”

– About historically famous potter Shoji Hamada, February 2009, from “Three Generations of Hamada Potters,” Pucker Gallery, Boston.

8 December, 20158 December, 2015

SMASHING Good Pottery Deals

Don’t worry, that mug needed to be smashed because of dunting (a pottery term for rare cracks that sometimes occur when firing ceramics). Nearly all of the Cosmic Mugs emerging from the kiln are stunning!

Cosmic Mug glaze detail next to a spiral galaxy collision.

As a thanks for participating in this Kickstarter, I’m working on a set of pottery coupons and future discounts. All Kickstarter bakers will get at least one coupon included with your pottery order as a thanks. If you haven’t backed the project but you might still be interested, I would urge you to please take another look at our project. Even just $5 goes a long way in supporting creation of this artwork, and it gets you up to 40% off future pottery. $49 Cosmic Mugs or a $69 Cosmic Mug + Set of 4 Shot Cups are still available before Christmas, so please follow this link if you’re interested:

Cosmic Mug Kickstarter

3 December, 20154 December, 2015

Cosmic Dinnerware Sets

With less than one week remaining in the Cosmic Mug Kickstarter, I decided to add just two more listings: Cosmic Dinnerware Sets. Each set requires many months of work, but I’m up for the challenge. It’s like having to plan out a massive puzzle, and then separately create all of the puzzle pieces that must fit together perfectly. Custom pottery requires intense focus to ensure that all of the pieces match in size, shape, weight and color. I’ve created many full dinnerware sets, but a cosmic dinnerware set would be OUT OF THIS WORLD! (get it?) I realize that each set is a big investment, but if any of you are interested in this type of artwork, please follow the link below (or please forward it to someone who might be interested). Also, don’t hesitate to reach out to me directly with any questions: JoelCherrico@cherricopottery.com

Cosmic Dinnerware Sets

Cosmic Dinnerware Collage — These are examples of previous dinnerware pieces I’ve created in other glaze pallets.

I’m working around the clock to get all of your pottery ready for shipment December 11-14th. This Instagram post shows a glimpse of my studio work in the wee hours of the night. If you’re a backer, be sure to watch your email closely, as I will be using email to collect shipping addresses. Local pickup options will also be available, in case you would like to pick out your Cosmic Mugs in person. If you’re still interested in a $49 Cosmic Mug or a $69 Cosmic Mug + Set of 4 Shot Cups before Christmas, follow this link to snag one before the sell out:

Cosmic Mug Kickstarter

This is how a Cosmic Mug looks in bright sunlight, outdoors in snowy Minnesota. — This is a Cosmic Mug in bright sunlight, outdoors in snowy Minnesota.

“It is also important to remember that, although pottery is made to be used, this fact in no wise simplifies the problem of artistic expression; there can be no fullness or complete realization of utility without beauty, refinement and charm, for the simple reason that their absence must in the long run be intolerable to both maker and consumer. We desire not only food but also the enjoyment and zest of eating.”

– “A Potter’s Book” by Bernard Leach, “Towards A Standard,” pg. 13, Faber and Faber, 1940

23 November, 201524 November, 2015

3 Pieces of Advice from an Astronaut, an Astrophysicist and an Author

As we close in on the $25,000 Kickstarter goal with over two weeks left in the campaign, it looks like many of you will also be celebrating a cosmic Christmas! Thank you so much for making this project a success! If you’re still interested in a piece of pottery for the Holidays, I urge you to please back our Kickstarter soon, as pots for Christmas delivery have begun to sell out:

Cosmic Mug Kickstarter

Pots are piling up in the studio, but I’ve tried to find time to continue blogging. Here are three studio shots of the pottery I’m creating for all of you, as well as three pieces of advice from people who inspire my artwork.

“If you’re really observing and trying to learn, rather than seeking to impress, you may actually get the chance to do something useful.”

– Col. Chris Hadfield, Astronaut, qtd. in, “An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth”

“Do whatever it takes to avoid fooling yourself into thinking something is true that is not, or that something is not true that is.”

– Neil deGrasse Tyson, Astrophysicist, qtd. in The Huffington Post: “What Science Is — and How and Why it Works”

“So be wise, because the world needs more wisdom. And if you cannot be wise, pretend to be someone who is wise and then just behave like they would.”

– Neil Gaiman, qtd. in The Best Commencement Speech You Many Ever Hear

19 November, 201519 November, 2015

5 Cosmic Pots Bundled Together and a Cosmic Gift from a Monk

After figuring out how to create a new type of cosmic pottery that is so much smaller, faster and easier to create than Cosmic Mugs, I’ve found another way for all of you to get an even better deal on a set of cosmic pottery:

$69 Cosmic Mug + Set of Four Cups on Kickstarter

So many of you seem to love the new “Cosmic Cup” listing, so I decided to work more hours and make just a few for the Holidays. Only 100 will be available, as Christmas delivery is closing in and I’ve got lots of pots to finish. A few $25 Cosmic Cup sets are also available. Enjoy!

The gift from the monk was for me, not for you! One of my favorite Art Professors from college, Brother David Paul, gifted me a sweet, cosmic wallet. It’s in the same style as the “Molecular Cloud Cluster” that has taken over my website. This is just one more example of how generous all of you have been throughout this project. Whether buying a set of Cosmic Mugs, simply showing a friend or sending an awesome gift like this, I truly appreciate every bit of positive energy all of you have sent my way.

This quote and video below might help communicate how incredibly thankful I am for all of your support throughout this Kickstarter:

“There’s no separating your work as an artist and your life and your spirit and what is holy about it.”

– Nick Offerman, Actor, Author, Woodworker, quoted in this YouTube video