Cone 5 Northern Lights Glaze Mug by Maria Sarantidis Habib

Northern Lights Glaze Mug on B-Mix Clay

This Northern Lights Glaze Mug by Maria Sarantidis Habib captures the colors of the night sky in motion. Made from B-Mix clay and fired to Cone 5, the mug combines layers of AMACO Blue Midnight, AMACO Smokey Merlot, AMACO Oatmeal, and touches of Amethyst underglaze. The result is a surface filled with deep cobalt blues, violet tones, and pale ribbons of light that travel across the form like an aurora stretching across a winter horizon.

The glaze application begins with three coats of Blue Midnight and three coats of Smokey Merlot, creating a foundation of rich blues and purples. Uneven stripes of AMACO Oatmeal introduce lighter areas that separate and soften the darker colors. Small dabs of Amethyst underglaze add additional depth, contributing subtle variations that emerge during firing. Together, these materials create a layered surface where every curve reveals new transitions between color and texture.

Cone 5 Aurora-Inspired Glaze Effects

Viewed from different angles, the mug shifts between midnight blue, indigo, violet, and soft lavender highlights. The glossy finish reflects light across the surface, emphasizing the movement created by the layered glazes. This Cone 5 combination demonstrates how a limited palette can produce remarkable depth and complexity, making the Northern Lights Glaze Mug a memorable example of atmospheric ceramic glazing.

Credit: Maria Sarantidis Habib