Pour your coffee into these spectacular coffee mugs and make your every morning even more radiant. But are these really coffee mugs? To be honest, they look more like sculptural masterpieces than coffee mugs. Whichever you deem it, a drinking vessel or a piece of art, these unique mugs can be both used to serve hot coffee and as an exquisite décor item. Designed and created by Portland-based ceramic artist Katie Marks, these ornamental mugs feature layers of dazzling crystals and immersive galaxy swirl glaze. As the founder of Silver Lining Ceramics, Marks gives us a piece of her remarkable artistry and craftsmanship with her line of spectacular coffee mugs.
“I have always loved clay.” she explains. “It has been my medium of choice since I was a little girl.”
Due to her intense interest in pottery, she took a class at her local community college to learn the art and craft of clay. She further polished her skills when she bought her own potter’s wheel. And that’s when she started to learn how to throw and shape ceramic ware by herself. But that didn’t stop her from learning more. A few years later, she worked as a studio assistant to a production potter. And that’s when she learned everything from glaze chemistry to kiln firing. Putting her craftsmanship and artistic creativity into use, she cleverly employed the use of different shapes out of clay. On the external surface of the ceramic ware, she adds surprising features such as crystals adorning the surface. For the final touch, she makes use of charming colors to bring the crystals to life.
Aside from the crystal-laden designs, Marks also creates spectacular coffee mugs featuring dazzling swirls of the galaxy. She mixes most of her glazes from raw materials so she can have a lot more control over the look of the final piece. Kiln firing the clay to 2232 degrees causes the glaze to flow like running water to achieve a smoother result.
Each of her ceramic ware is one of a kind as no two pieces are alike. If you want to buy these spectacular coffee mugs, you can see what’s available here. And because her ceramic creations are so popular, they tend to quickly sell out. You’ll just have to check back regularly to see any update from the shop. Or better yet, follow her on Instagram where she usually announces her latest creations a few days before she sells them on her Etsy shop.