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- May 24
- 3 min read

MiMOKO Ceramics

Updated: Jun 15

Nestled in Mount Pleasant’s Beaumont Studios is MiMOKO Ceramics, a bite-sized workshop and the creative hub of artist and entrepreneur Monique Skelton. Representing her passion for the intersection between art and botany, MiMOKO specializes in ceramic vessels that are more than just function - they’re pieces of art that breathe life into their environment.

Alisa Stephenson, the business owner of Alma Home & Vintage in Dunbar neighbourhood of Vancouver

A Kiwi-turned-Canadian, Monique’s journey has been anything but ordinary. The inception for MiMOKO in 2016 stemmed from her simple desire to find planters that were both beautiful and practical. Dissatisfied with the options available on the market, Monique recognized an opportunity to blend her sculptural expertise with her love for plants.

Alas, MiMOKO was born. A playful twist on the Japanese word for peach, the name draws inspiration from the minimalism and craftsmanship in Japanese art - and reflects the elegance and simplicity that Monique strives to infuse in every piece. It also perfectly encapsulates the sweetness and charm that her creations hold.

MiMOKO’s transformation from a part-time passion to a full-time enterprise was catalyzed by profound personal loss. The passing of Monique’s husband seven years ago was a pivotal moment, reminding her of life’s fragility and reigniting her determination to pursue her creative dreams.

Setting up shop at The Beaumont Studios, a vibrant community of artists and innovators, provided the perfect backdrop for her creative endeavors. This space not only inspired Monique but also offered a sense of solace and gave her the space to grow, one ceramic piece at a time.

The arrival of Monique's son, Oscar, in 2022 marked another significant chapter in both her personal life and her artistic career. Motherhood introduced new dynamics in her workflow, and she quickly recognized that a creative pivot was necessary to continue her work. Previously, all MiMOKO pottery was created on the wheel - a beautiful but laborious process that takes time and focus.

As Monique’s studio hours were now accompanied by Oscar, she made a monumental decision to shift from wheel thrown pottery to slip casting. This technique involves creating molds that are filled with liquid clay to achieve uniform, precise shapes. Monique knew that slip casting would create efficiency in her workflow, allow her to scale, and enable her to work in shorter snippets of time to - which would all be essential in her new life as a mother. While she wasn’t initially aware of the incredible learning curve it would involve, she spent the better half of 2023 overcoming the myriad of technicalities involved in learning how to create molds for production.

The shift to slip casting wasn’t just a practical decision but a transformative one, enabling Monique to explore new artistic avenues. MiMOKOs latest collection, Nature Finds a Way embodies this evolution. It builds upon the Orbital Vases that she introduced in 2020 - sculptural wall vases that hold fresh and dried botanicals. Designed to be mixed and matched and displayed together, they add a dynamic blend of geometry and organic beauty to any space. This collection has been well-received, a testament to Monique’s innovative approach and her ability to resonate with her audience.

Each piece at MiMOKO Ceramics is more than just a planter; it's a testament to the journey of an artist who molds her experiences into the clay she shapes. If you’re inspired by Monique’s story and her ceramic creations, explore more about MiMOKO here and discover how you can bring a piece of this artistry into your own space.