Thread: Custom decorated shaving mugs? (long)

To the group:

I've been chomping at the bit for a while about this...and maybe it's still premature to inquire, but...I am wondering how many guys would be interested in this? So here goes....

For years, as a collector of old barber mugs, I wanted to try reproducing the classics from the golden era for everyday use.
I've finally set up a studio of sorts, but I'm still in the experimental stage. I even went and began china decorating classes through the local community college to learn the basics.

I have a couple of mugs in the kiln right now. One with the classic "Horses in the Storm" design and the other with one of the whimsical pipe smoking frogs designs. Both of these were popular shaving mug designs available through Koken or Theo. Koch's barber supply and others. The originals sell for hundreds of dollars. (Mine won't ) If you are a collector you're probably familiar with these designs and others.

They are hand painted by me and will have gold banding and names. I am also proposing to do simple gold names and banding as well. They will not be decals, although there are decals available that may be desireable.
I could also do floral decoratives, although I'm not sure many guys these days would want them? I've even thought of doing a "classic straight razor" series. I imagine I could do just about any design to order, except for photographic work. Don't have the knowledge or equipment for that...yet.

They are done on modern "stoneware" blanks similar to the ones I've seen at classic shaving. I searched for china blanks, like the old Limoges and Bavarian products, but, as far as I can tell, no one manufactures anything similar today. I could have them custom made, but as you may guess, it's quite costly to go that route.
I've tested the available mugs and they are very servicable. They are thick walled, durable, heavy and have good heat retension for hot lather. (I realize that not everyone here prefers a mug, but a bowl instead, and I've considered doing custom work on owner provided blanks, bowls included).

I haven't yet decided how I will price these or how many I will be able to produce in what time period. Also, I'm not sure when I'll be ready to go into full production since I think my skills need honing. I'll post pictures of my prototype mugs when they are ready, and, if I think they are worthy of public scrutiny.

Anyway, it's a big venture for me, one of those "things-I-must-try-before-I-die" things, and I was just curious what the group here thinks?
I imagine if anyone would be interested, it would be some of the people here. So, I may have let the cat out of the bag early, but any thoughts, suggestions, warnings , encouragements, etc would be welcomed.

Scott