Contact Us
Better yet, see us in person!
We love our customers, so feel free to visit during normal business hours.
Alexis Moyer Pottery
7450 Highway 128, Philo, CA 95466
Hours
Open by coincidence or by appointment so give a quick call to check if I'm in.
The best time to stop by is between 10 and 5 daily.
Browse Commissions
& Contact Me
Much of my work is custom made and I would love to chat with you about a special piece created just for you.
Please browse through my portfolios of past works to get an idea of what's possible.
You can also follow me on Facebook to see the latest works in progress at the studio.
Contact me about a commission at potshop@saber.net.
Previous Commissions
Commissioning a Totem Pole or Animal Sculpture
Meet and Agree on a Theme or Idea for the Totem
First we meet at my studio or on-line and look through my portfolio book, 'Totems', so I can get a feel for what resonates with you. We look at shapes and colors, talk about the height and talk about any special things that should be included on the totem pole. Often there is an animal or two requested. It is a fun process to choose what will be on your totem!
We discuss where the totem will go - indoors or out? what's around it? and agree on a budget that works for everyone. By the end of the meeting we have a general agreement on what the totem will be.
If I’m creating a pet portrait for you, we would talk about your special pet and look at photos together.
Send in Photos of Site or Pet
Next you will send me photos of the place where the totem pole will go, either the room in your house or the area in the garden. If I can I like to see the site in person so I can get a good feel for the setting but photos work well too.
If there is a pet portrait involved you'll send me photos of your pet. I do my best to capture the spirit of your dear friend with what I describe as a caricature of the animal.
Down Payment to Start the Work
Once we are in agreement about the project a non-refundable down payment is made and work begins. I take a bit of time in the beginning to let everything percolate and then make some decisions about what to build. This is the place where we all take a leap of faith that, given the freedom to create something wonderful, amazing things will happen.
Progress photos along the way
Once things get underway I send progress photos as the totem pole develops. You always have the freedom to ask me to replace an element that doesn't suit you for any reason. That doesn't happen very often but in the end we all need to love the piece.
Each piece of the totem pole is built, dried and fired before it can be stacked together. Over the next few months I’m adding to the totem, taking away things when I change my mind and creating something unique and special for you. I’m paying attention to how each piece works on its own and how it adds to the totem pole as a whole. I want each of my totems to be spectacular in its own way.
Color Selection and Glazing
The totem pole gets its color! Once I am satisfied with all of the pieces I start the glazing process.
All of the pieces suddenly come to life as the vibrant colors come out of the kiln. They bring out the joy you will feel every time you see this special piece in your home.
Before you know it, Your Totem Pole
or Pet Portrait is Ready!
The big unveiling! Your beautiful totem pole is finished and ready to go home for you and your family to enjoy for years to come!
Our Special Dogs
A Note from Pam
What a wonderful tribute! We love our totem and it sits proudly on our hearth at Lake Nacimiento. Sadly, Sal passed away today.
All of these precious friends will be cherished and remembered always and your beautiful totem will bring a smile to everyone’s face.
Thank you, Alexis.
Pam
Creating Pam’s totem was especially heartwarming. Sadly, during the time I was building the totem we lost Olive, the pug on the top. Cooper, the big lab on the bottom, had already been gone a few years and shortly after Pam and Dan took the totem home, the last pug, Sal, passed on too. The totem became a true memory keeper for all of these treasured dogs. Now it’s a happy reminder of lives well lived.
Totems hold our special memories in a way that brings back those deep feelings of joy and delight that our beloved pets gave to us every day.
"Ayaz and I think the totem is just perfect! It has settled into its new home and seems happy in the space. Everyone who sees it is fascinated by its color, movement and creativity.
Thank you for creating the perfect piece for us. It makes me happy every time I see it.
Warmly,
Martie"
Let’s talk about a Totem Pole for you!
It is both a responsibility and an honor to be chosen to do a commission and I do my very best to make every totem pole a spectacular sculpture that will bring joy into your home or garden.
I’d love to discuss creating a special totem pole just for you. Let’s arrange a no obligation get acquainted talk to explore the possibilities. Use the “Let’s Talk” button below to leave your name and contact information and I’ll be in touch