Check out The Search For Tiki’s interview with Shima Ceramics!

100% Handmade

Everything at Shima Ceramics is handmade by myself and my assistant Jerridan. Sculpting is done the old-fashioned way, with modeling clay and hand tools. We make all our own designs, sculpts, and molds. Each piece is slip-cast, trimmed, glazed, and signed by hand.

Deviant ceramic oddities

I’ve always preferred to work outside the box. Sometimes I make Tropical mugs (aka Tiki mugs), sometimes Nautical mugs or Horror mugs; I don’t stick to one genre.

If there is an over-arching theme to my work, it’s that I’m drawn to all things dark and macabre. I also enjoy a challenge. Can I make this design even though it will require a 12 piece mold? How far can I push this shape before the clay cracks or collapses? How do I design this horror subject without being cheesy? Usually the harder I challenge myself, the happier I am with the results.

Thank you

After sculpting and working with clay most of my life, I began making sculptural mugs in 2015. I live and work in Port Costa, CA with my partner Ashleigh, our three kids, and two dogs. Thank you for supporting independent artists, and for appreciating the value of arts and crafts handmade in the U.S.!

Cheers, Chris Shima