handles pt3

First batch of mugs... major warping as feared. On the plus side I like the glazes especially my new grey/blue. I think a set with varying strengths of colour on each mug would look good. And the coloured rim just about works too, a good bit of continuity with the earthenware bowls I used to make.

Still some work to do on dipping into glaze and getting a neat top edge. Next time I will try pouring in clear glaze and then paint wax resist around the inside of the rim which will allow me to dip the outside of the vessel without getting any of the outside colour on the inside. Hopefully.

I think that the weight of the handles is pulling the clay when its molten and soft in the kiln.

How to address warping?

- reducing the size and weight of the handles is a first step (they look too big anyway so thats easy).

- placing the handles lower down, away from the rim which is I expect the most vulnerable part

- deliberately warping a few raw pots in the opposite direction and see if the handle then pulls them back into the right shape

cards

At last I got a small set of business cards printed. Kicking myself for not getting this organised earlier. Makes such a simple difference to be able to give people a card when they are interested in or buy work. I used MOO who were great and had option of printing 50 cards with one front and 5 different photo backs. Ideal for the indecisive.

handles pt2

First batch of test mugs, survived biscuit firing with handles intact. Now to glaze and the real test - how they cope with 1270 deg C..

bantam egg cups

... a commission to make egg cups small enough to fit tiny bantam eggs being road-tested before sending off to their new homes;

handles...

some slipcast pots awaiting test handles, getting into the spirit of the thing with a denby mug. Not my inspiration, just my cuppa in for scale.

The tall middle pot will be cut up to make strap handles. In theory making the handles from the same material which is at the same consistency as the body will greatly increase chances of success....

First strap handles on. So far so good (with nifty saucer for coffee cup). Will make a batch of six of each size and then fire. I wont be able to judge whether its worked until the glaze firing which is where any warps or cracks are most likely to appear.