Mugs, Mugs, Mugs

I'm drowning in over-sized mugs! We had a big custom order for large mugs come in and we are just plugging away at it. The other day I threw the mugs. Yesterday I trimmed the mugs. It was late in the day when I finished and I was too tired to start adding handles, so I went to bed.

Today the handles will all get attached as well as some sort of decoration. I have a ware board covered with handles that are still a bit too wet to attach. Now I just need to keep the bodies of the mugs damp long enough to get the handles on! As for the decoration... well, there is a loose nature theme and other than that I guess I'll wing it. Every mug should be just a little bit different. It would be nice if I had some sprig molds prepared, but there is no time to do that before the mug order is due.

Totally Offensive!

We made these at the request of some friends following a hilarious conversation. The response has been overwhelming! We have had orders pour in - some asked for PG 13 versions and others gave suggestions for other saying for non-morning people. I have to get to work and throw mugs and stamp sayings! If you want some, too, please contact us through our Etsy shop and we'll add you to the queue.

Serendipity

I like big coffee mugs. This one pictured is not one of those, though. It is a dainty little 8 ounce mug, but I love it anyway. While I prefer a mug about double this size, I'll take any mug that has a glaze this gorgeous!

So much of a potter's life is determined by serendipity. I know in theory what should happen if I fire this glaze at a certain speed or make it hover at a certain temperature, but until the lid of the kiln opens I am at the mercy of the kiln gods.

This little mug's glaze is serendipitous perfection! The glaze formed microcrystals as the kiln slowly cooled and they really make the piece for me. They are like frost trapped within a glassy olive green. I just want to run my hands over the mug - it begs to be touched! This pleasure, the joy of a piece wanting to be held, is what makes me return to the wheel day after day.

A Perfect Pair

We call these mugs "The Perfect Pair" not because the mugs themselves are perfect, but the pairing of the glazes is. These glazes work together and highlight each other so well. They even bring out aspects in each other that could not be seen before - intense halos on each side of the drip line.

We also think of our marriage as a perfect pairing. Alex and I bring out the best in each other and uncover beauty in each other that was not known before. We have survived grad school, self-employment, kids, and more, but we have remained the best of friends through it all. I love working alongside Alex in the studio. We support, inspire, and critique each other's work. We actually promised to do that in our wedding vows! Anyway, in a not very eloquent way, I am using these mugs as a way to say I am so grateful to have Alex as my partner in life and in the studio.

And remember - this week everything in our Etsy shop is 10% off!

Val's Turquoise

I found the formula for this glaze in a Clay Times forum archive. I believe it is probably a Val Cushing glaze, but I am not sure. I made a test batch and tested the glaze on a buff stoneware and a darker speckled stoneware from Midsouth Ceramics. I was not crazy about the test on the buff clay, but the darker clay showed promise. The formula is available by clicking the test tile photo.
This mug does a better job showing off the glaze. It is a rich turquoise, but it has a lot of interest. Where it is thick, it is prone to blistering, so take care to finger sand any drips well. Hopefully, you can see this glaze is glossy and smooth. The turquoise color ranges from pale to almost teal in places. Even where the glaze breaks over the rim and handle, the surface remakes silky.

Fresh From The Kiln

Every kiln load brings about great pleasure, and usually sadness, too. There is always something that didn't turn out right or whose glaze isn't what you expected. It is the nature of pottery, but it can be harsh. These are all from the same kiln load and all bringers of pleasure. I won't too often show the disappointments here, at least not until I've lived with them a while. I don't know if other mediums are such harsh masters. Do other artists frequently have to trash their work? I suppose if I stopped experimenting I would not have theses disappointments, but I am not willing to give up the joy of an experiment that wields something amazing.

Green and Gold Feathers

Just out of the kiln, the glaze effects were unexpected on this mug. The feathering within the green drip is so stunning and the bamboo glaze below it has never let me down. It is available is our etsy store.

Square Topped Ring Mug

Something about this mug just grabs me! It was wheel thrown, then the top was altered into a square. The ring handle with a stamped thumb button are so comfortable. We used two glazes that produced a rich green with a darker rim that sports hints of blue. It is available in our etsy shop.

Rebloom

Another take on the Blossom Mug - sweet and delicate.

Blossom

A blossom stamped into the thumbrest defines this potbelly mug. Just listed and already SOLD, this little beauty is feeling the love. Don't worry, there will be more to come.

Today is the day I replace the wiring harnesses and relays in the kiln. I have had a few misfirings and it is a job overdue. Hopefully I can get it done quickly and do a little test fire. I am anxious to get the misfired pieces back into and out of a working kiln so I can dance around the studio in excitement again!

Potbelly Pleasure

A caramel potbelly mug is the perfect pairing for your morning coffee. The potbelly shape keeps your coffee or tea warm and the side is bumped in inside the handle so your knuckles don't get burned. Buy it here.

Favorite Coffee Mug

Alex made this coffee mug for me to drink my coffee from each morning - unless he gets to it first! It is my new favorite coffee mug. It is big (about 20 ounces) and beautiful. Even better... it fits in the cup holders in the cars! And the glaze job, my part in this, is nearly as perfect as the form! Woo hoo!

Someone Read My Blog

I've been a little discouraged about blogging. I didn't install any counters here, because I thought it might be depressing! However, without counters, I thought no one was even looking, much less reading my blog. I mean, really, I'm not a great writer nor am I a very dedicated blogger.

But yesterday, I was actually posting to my blog, when I noticed that someone had left a comment! Oh! The excitement! Some one not only clicked on my blog, but they actually read a post! I feel the love!

So I am back today ready to share a picture of my new favorite coffee mug. Alex made this mug and several others and they have become the mugs we reach for first. It is BIG! And the handle is comfortable. The glaze isn't perfect, but that's okay. It's for me and I want something that functions perfectly. Beauty is second. Still, I believe this mug is beautiful.