Momentous Pottery Giveaways Inspired by NASA

July 20th, 1969 was when humans first set foot on the Moon. Astronaut Buzz Aldrin (who owns a Cosmic Mug thanks to our friend Stacey at StarTalk) is 87 years young and he’s STILL active on Instagram, reminiscing about the experience:

Joel studies astronauts because it inspires him to filter ideas into is artwork, towards achieving greatness. Astronauts Buzz Aldrin and Col. Chris Hadfield both have Guinness World Records titles. Both directly inspired Joel to attempt and achieve the title for, ‘most pots thrown in one hour by an individual.’

Astronaut Col. Chris Hadfield also let us send him a Cosmic Mug. In his book, “An Astronauts Guide to Life on Earth” Hadfiled tells how his childhood dream was to walk on the moon. That goal wasn’t reached, but it put him on a path towards successfully becoming an astronaut and achieving his Guinness World Records title for ‘first music video filmed in space.’ Joel studied Hadfield’s work, sent him a Cosmic Mug and got an inspiring letter in return. He said:

We also send free pots to other astronauts occasionally, like Lt. Col. Mark Vande Hei who graduated from Joel’s alma mater CSB/SJU. He is in line for a trip to the International Space Station.

Not the best photo, but hey…that’s a NASA Astronaut enjoying a Cosmic Mug!

“Why climb the highest mountain? … We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills…”

– John F. Kennedy, September 12, 1962

Entrepreneurship is one skill that has many of the same core values that propelled the United States to the moon. Entrepreneurs are required to spend years overcoming failures and striving towards success. You can learn how Joel launched and sustained his pottery business immediately after college graduation in this eight part authorship series for American Craft Council:

A Potter’s Journey: The Beginning

🎉🌘🎁🌌☕🏔🎁🌒🎉

Momentous Pottery Giveaways

Houston, we have liftoff! Here’s what you need to know:

If they’re sold out or too expensive for you, don’t worry! Here is another awesome giveaway we just launched, totally free:

Free Giveaway: $680 in Free Cosmic Mugs

  • Cosmic Mug and Moon Mug Giveaway, totally free: $680 in free pottery.
  • Enter for free by simply entering your email.

Joel will also be releasing more pottery later this month: Cosmic Mugs, including $79 Random Cosmic Mugs and $49 Flawed Cosmic Mugs, before August. Stay tuned to the newsletter to get notified about availability first:

cherricopottery.com/newsletter

The Eagle Has Landed

We did it!! Thanks to all of you, the Cosmic Mug Kickstarter surpassed our $25,000 goal! I’m PSYCHED to get all of these pots to you for the Holidays. People like you make this type of art possible. Rory, the pottery cat, is eternally thankful.

Image 20, my cat Rory on the kiln

I’m working around the clock to get all of your pottery ready for shipment December 11th. If you’re a backer, be sure to watch your email closely, as I’ll be using email to collect shipping addresses. 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

Cosmic Mug Galaxy Colission pouring out of mug

“Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed.” 

– Neil Armstrong during the Apollo 11 Moon landing, signifying to Mission Control that the landing was complete and successful. July 20, 1969.

800px-Aldrin_Apollo_11_original
Photo of Buzz Aldrin captured by Neil Armstrong on the Moon

Apollo 11 Bootprint, Bigcommerce Blog Feature and another Chance to Win Two Free COSMIC MUGS

46 years ago today, the first humans set foot on the moon. As a potter, I’m obsessed with making marks. This photo shows Buzz Aldrin making footprints on the lunar surface:

800px-Aldrin_Apollo_11_original

Bootprint, Mark Making, Brushing Glaze

Aldrin’s mark on the moon will impact society forever. Earlier this year, my friends at StarTalk Radio helped get a cosmic mug into Buzz Aldrin’s hands (also- StarTalk just put out this awesome podcast episode with Bill Nye talking about his change of heart towards GMO foods). As more and more celebrities like Buzz Aldrin own cosmic mugs, my hope is that my art will help people think about important marks we all make on society.

To help celebrate this important day, the Bigcommerce Blog generously agreed to host a giveaway of my newest cosmic mugs! You can enter the giveaway here:

Bigcommerce Cosmic Mug Giveaway, Cherrico Pottery Blog Post, compressed

Bigcommerce has helped me sell pottery online for the past four years. Their online store hosting is a key reason that I have been able to make a living as a full-time potter. They generously let me write this guest blog post on their website:

Products That Matter: Blending Art, Science and Pricing for a Winning Ecommerce Strategy

Cosmic Mug on the Deck

Photography Copyright:

“Apollo 11 bootprint” by NASA / Buzz Aldrin – NASA (original upload; ALSJ (AS11-40-5877)). Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Apollo_11_bootprint.jpg#/media/File:Apollo_11_bootprint.jpg

“Aldrin Apollo 11 original” by NASA – http://www.hq.nasa.gov/alsj/a11/AS11-40-5903HR.jpghttp://www.archive.org/details/AS11-40-5903 (TIFF image). Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aldrin_Apollo_11_original.jpg#/media/File:Aldrin_Apollo_11_original.jpg