Who knew that there would be beautiful pottery to purchase at NCECA?!
I expected to see lots of potters, tools & schools. Lots of pottery in gallery displays.
Sure, I probably could have read the NCECA Program a little closer. But I was excited to see so many great artists represented by different galleries… with so many great pots & pieces for us to purchase. And I did. I decided this was a great opportunity to add to my already overflowing “Mug Collection.”

Stacey Stanhope, Vermont
I love the rustic, yet whimsical, sort of woodcut designs. Love the simplicity & humor of the basic mug with a very comfortable handle & incredible illustration.

Karen Newgard, North Carolina
So many of our long bike rides have taken us through rural farmlands. The imagery in Stacey Stanhope’s mug (above) is very familiar… but these red-winged blackbirds made me smile. And reflect upon so many rides where we’ve seen red-wing blackbirds watching us, and occasionally swooping down at us if we got to close to their nests. I really like the simple, slightly crude, sgrafitto technique… with a tiny splash of color in just the right places!

Matt Long, Mississippi
The perfectly thrown, yet loosely altered & undulating shapes of Matt Long have intrigued me for years. My own personal “control issues” just don’t allow me to throw “loosely.” So I’m intrigued by people who can – and can make it look so simple. add some beautiful colors, slip & flashing and you’ve got one stunning mug!

Kip O’Krongly, Minnesota
I first saw Kip’s beautiful work up at Northern Clay Center in Minneapolis. She wasn’t there, but I loved the pieces in her studio. About a year later, I finally met her in her studio and got two wonderful bicycle plates. So it was just a matter of time before I added one of her bicycle mugs to my collection!!!