Archive for Mug Shots

Mug Shot Winner!

Winner of Elements Gallery's Ugly Mug Contest

Kim Ayres is the winner of our Ugly Mug Contest, not because he has one, but because he won the drawing.

Kim is an extraordinary fellow. His writing is honest and clear, and his photographic images touch my being. They are as honest and clear as his writing. Some months ago, I wrote this about photography:

“When I look at a photograph, I feel like I have a glimpse into how the photographer sees the world. That’s what I like about photographic images—it’s not the “prettiness” of a view—it’s the quality of the light, the slant of the sun, the place where the shadow meets the light.

And once in a while, I come across someone who sees the quiet spaces, the places where my heart stops to linger and to rest. A person who sees the extraordinary beauty in ordinary objects, and who appreciates the sacredness of it all.”

Thanks to everyone who entered. If you are so inclined, you can order your own mug here.  And, as always, feel free to leave me a comment, or a stone (o), to let me know that you’ve stopped by.

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Ugly Mug Contenders

I’ve decided to extend the deadline for the Ugly Mug Contest, so you still have time to send me a photo of your ugly mug!  Tacky mugs would work, too.

Send to: from skilled hands AT g mail DOT com (remove spaces)

You could win one of our favorite hand crafted mugs! The new deadline is Wednesday, May 19.

Here are our newest contenders:

Diana's Ugly Cup

Kat's Ugly Cup

Gail's Ugly Mug

Kim's Ugly Mug

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Send Me Your Mug Shot: A Contest

It has been said that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. There is no question that most mugs are functional: they hold the liquid which has been placed inside.  There are, it seems, other factors that make a mug “work.”  The size and weight of the vessel, and the size, weight and position of the handle are important to the user. And then there are other factors.  How has the piece been decorated? For me a question is: has it been made by hand?

Some mugs are beyond description—- and that, my friends, is why we are having an Ugly Mug Contest. Send me a photo of your ugly mug and I will enter your name in the contest. The prize? One of our favorite mugs!  Send your photo to: from skilled hands AT g mail DOT com (remove spaces).

Here are some photos:

Pat's Ugly MugPat's Other Ugly Mug

Katie's Ugly Mug


And here is the mug and the comment that inspired this contest:

Kris stated, “I didn’t send a picture last time because I *hate my mugs! I don’t have a one that I love. I can tell by the image above that the handles of those mugs are perfect – plenty of space for more than two fingers, which I like. Want me to send you a picture of the mug I use but don’t love??”


Kris' Ugly Mug

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Mug Shots Revisited

Kris' Ugly MugKris stated, “I didn’t send a picture last time because I *hate my mugs! I don’t have a one that I love. I can tell by the image above that the handles of those mugs are perfect – plenty of space for more than two fingers, which I like. Want me to send you a picture of the mug I use but don’t love??”

When I thought about it, I figured that if a slipcover company can have an ugly couch contest, then I can have an ugly mug contest.  So send me a photo of your ugliest mug (from which you drink :-) .  I will do another high tech drawing during which I will draw a name from a mug.   The winner will receive one of our favorite mugs.

**The deadline for sending me the photo is May 15, at 11:59 PM DST.  I will post the winner on Monday, May 17.   Email to from skilled hands AT g mail DOT com (remove spaces.)


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Mug Shot Winner

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