FREE U.S. shipping on orders over $200

FREE U.S. shipping on orders over $200

Things Could Be Worse Mugs

Item: Single 12-oz mug

Shipping and taxes calculated at checkout. Free U.S. shipping on orders over $200.

Description

No matter how bad your day is going, these beautiful porcelain mugs graciously remind you things could be much worse. You could also be chased by UFOs, pestered by pirates, or plagued by giant frogs.


These porcelain mugs feature Don Moyer’s drawing of a traditional blue-willow paradise discombobulated by more than a dozen calamities, perils, and pests. You’ll find...

 

  • Sasquatch
  • giant frog
  • pirates
  • cephalopod
  • devil blob
  • voracious sea monster
  • UFOs
  • aggressive pterodactyls
  • rambunctious robots
  • zombie poodle

 

and other suspicious animals and shrubs.

Available in two sizes:

  • 12-ounce mugs sold as a single or in a pack of four identical mugs.
  • 20-ounce mugs sold only in pairs of identical mugs.

Find more Things Could Be Worse items here.
Dimensions & More Info
Two Sizes
  • 12-ounce (355 mL) capacity to the tippy top, 4"H (10 cm), 3.5" diameter (9 cm),
  • 20-ounce (590 mL) capacity to the tippy top, 4.75"H (12 cm), 4" diameter (10 cm)
All:
  • Both sizes are adorned with the same multi-calamity drawing by Don Moyer. All mugs have the same design.
  • Rich blue images on white porcelain.
  • Designed by Don Moyer. 12-ounce mug initially launched as his 10th Kickstarter project in 2015. 20-ounce mug launched as his 46th. Kickstarter project in 2020.
  • Produced using the in-glaze decoration process. That means the image is slightly melted into the surface like the fine porcelain you see in museums.
  • Each mug comes with a description card.
  • Made at the award-winning Kristoff porcelain workshop in Poland.
Care
  • Food safe.
  • Microwave safe.
  • Dishwasher safe.
  • Porcelain is both delicate and durable. We think you’ll enjoy Don’s blog about caring for your new treasures.
Shipping & Returns

Shipping Information:

We offer a variety of different shipping options so you can choose what works best for your order. Cost and delivery times will be calculated at checkout. All shipping times are estimates and are not guaranteed. We offer free U.S. shipping on orders over $200 (automatically applied at checkout, we pick the shipping method).

 

Shipping & Return Policies:

Click here to find shipping and return policies. Questions? Email us at Robot@calamityware.com.

Where it's made

Where it's made

These porcelain pieces were fired at the Kristoff workshop in Valbrich, Poland, one of the oldest and grandest porcelain workshops in the world. Kristoff began making porcelain in 1831, and its work can be found in museums and in the palaces of royalty. Our porcelain designs are in-glaze, which means slightly melted into the surface of the piece, to ensure a beautiful crisp image for years to come. Photo by Porcelana Krzysztof Sp. z o.o.

These porcelain pieces were fired at the Kristoff workshop in Valbrich, Poland, one of the oldest and grandest porcelain workshops in the world. Kristoff began making porcelain in 1831, and its work can be found in museums and in the palaces of royalty. Our porcelain designs are in-glaze, which means slightly melted into the surface of the piece, to ensure a beautiful crisp image for years to come. Photo by Porcelana Krzysztof Sp. z o.o.

Who we are

Who we are

Calamityware is a small, eight-person, one-dog company headquartered in Pittsburgh. We love bringing the darkly whimsical view of our founder and chief monster-maker, Don Moyer, to life. Our products are high quality, meticulously manufactured items that make wonderful gifts for you and other weird-adjacent people in your life. Our goal is to make you smile.

Calamityware is a small, eight-person, one-dog company headquartered in Pittsburgh. We love bringing the darkly whimsical view of our founder and chief monster-maker, Don Moyer, to life. Our products are high quality, meticulously manufactured items that make wonderful gifts for you and other weird-adjacent people in your life. Our goal is to make you smile.

Customer Reviews

Based on 1822 reviews
98%
(1782)
1%
(25)
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(7)
0%
(4)
0%
(4)
D
Daphne B.
I will do it again!

I wrestled with myself for some time before ordering these. We already have too many mugs. The price is higher than I usually pay. I thought of all the reasons for avoiding adding these to my collection.
I gave one of the four to my husband at Christmas, just to test the waters. Everyone loved it! My husband would find his mug being used by the first person up each morning.
Quietly, I released a second mug into the fray. Our Things Could Be Worse mugs are loved by the whole family.
As I enjoy using them for a warm cup of relaxation before bed, I examine the horrible creatures which frolic over the cup, each represents a Calamity which I have not had to overcome. But tomorrow holds a new opportunity for Sea Monsters, Pterodactyls, Zombie Poodles and their weird allies to attack.
I plan to slip one into my sister’s kitchen soon. A Calamity among her Blue Willow...

T
Tami P.
Best Gift Ever!

My mother has been collecting Blue Willow dishes most of her adult life, and she has a huge collection. I bought her a set of Calamityware mugs for Christmas, hoping she would like them. Turns out she loved them so much she ordered the tea set the next day! Best gift ever!

A
Augusta D.
There be monsters!

The name says it all🤩 I used to collect different patterns of service ware so our table settings would always be interesting ,fun, and provocative! In 2018 we lost almost all our collections in a catastrophic wildfire . When I saw these cups and other plate,bowl,platters etc. I felt my heart lift and my stagnated interest return in this genre🕵️🎈"things could be worse" indeed and often are so a bit of fun while drinking coffee,seems worthwhile and also motivating 😄I won't ever have the various patterns I once did (no room,some were heirloom and some hard to find)but these cups with their monsters and other variables go beautifully with our other blue and white China and glassware...and they get giggles from the grandkids and smiles everytime someone holds one,so thanks for bringing back the fun💜

E
Elizabeth I.
Crazy - Fun - Well made

I ordered these mugs on a whim. Thought the price was so reasonable that even if they were not the best quality, that would be fine. BUT, they are great quality, came very well packages and are really nice to hold and all the images are applied so well! Nary a smear or blurred line anywhere. Have ordered more products since. Would tell anyone with a (slightly twisted) sense of humor that these are the best gifts!

S
Sherry
Gorgeous

I love the look of these, but they're too small. In my house, we need 14 oz mugs minimum for morning coffee. Please come up with a larger size!

T
Teresa R.
Dainty

A little dainty for my taste. I can only fit 2 fingers in the ring.
Absolutely in love with the concept & rendering.
Keeping 2 to hold my art pencils, giving the rest away as gifts to daintier folk.
I want these one size larger.
I'll be patient.
Good things come to those who wait.

M
Meg
These are the Best

Work is damn stressful, but when the daily grind has got me down, sipping tea from my Calamityware mugs picks me right back up. I never new a mug could bring so much joy into my life. I’m now back for the tshirt, the playing cards, and the ornaments so I can enjoy allllll of the calamity. All that’s missing is the coloring book, when are y’all gonna make a coloring book?

M
Mako
Fantastic

Bought these as a gift for my mother, who not only has a fantastically twisted sense of humor, but also collects Blue Willow so... it’s pretty much a requirement she have these. As expected she at first took them for granted at a glance... and then took a closer look and she LOVES them. Dad too! They say they can’t wait to serve them to visitors to see how long it takes to catch on. 10/10 I want my own now too! Worth noting also the packaging arrived in FLAWLESS shape- everything snug and secure and well protected. Follow up contact for purchase, shipping etc, was also very well done. I smile every time I see Clamityware in my inbox because even if I’m not interested in buying at that moment I know whatever they have to say will be clever and charming so I look anyway. Well done!

W
Wendy G.
Double-take

Love these mugs. Had to buy a second set when I found I had given them all away (always packing in the explanatory card: "Lost your keys? Lost your job? Lost your super powers?"). My favorite moment was when my friend (recovering from a life-and-death medical adventure) took a quick glance and exclaimed, "I love Willow Ware!" before executing a perfect double-take when she caught sight of lurking monsters, robots, zombies, poodles, etc. I missed the gifted mugs: perfect shape, ideal size, delightful distractions in the landscape. I had to have more. How long will I hold on to my second set?

M
Melissa H.
Makes morning coffee perfect

I love these mugs. They make me happy every morning. And sometimes for tea in the evening. Things could be worse! Except I want robots and Bigfoot in my real life. :)

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