Starting a New Pottery Project - Chubby Jug
I've been 'bowled' over by the response my omelette bowl project received. (Sorry) Now it's time to try something new and just a little scary. I've decided it's time to get a handle on making handles. (Sorry again). I've started by making a chubby jug.
In the States, we would call this a pitcher. Jugs are another thing all together, but that's just the difference between the Queen's English and American English.
Over the past few weeks I've thrown dozens of bowls so making the body wasn't too difficult, so far so good. Now comes the tricky part, the handles!
I decided to use a technique called 'pulling' the handles. They don't look like much at this stage you just have to take a deep breath and go for it.
This is where it can go badly wrong. Press too hard and you break the body...be too gentle and the handle won't be strong enough to support the jug. If the handles are too wet, they flop. If the handles are too dry, the clay will crack. This is fraught with danger. Enough of this prevaricating...JUST DO IT!
Phew! I think we did it! Time to put the pitcher in a safe place to dry and have a fortifying cup of tea. Only the bisque firing, glazing, and another firing to go!
In the States, we would call this a pitcher. Jugs are another thing all together, but that's just the difference between the Queen's English and American English.
Over the past few weeks I've thrown dozens of bowls so making the body wasn't too difficult, so far so good. Now comes the tricky part, the handles!
I decided to use a technique called 'pulling' the handles. They don't look like much at this stage you just have to take a deep breath and go for it.
This is where it can go badly wrong. Press too hard and you break the body...be too gentle and the handle won't be strong enough to support the jug. If the handles are too wet, they flop. If the handles are too dry, the clay will crack. This is fraught with danger. Enough of this prevaricating...JUST DO IT!
Phew! I think we did it! Time to put the pitcher in a safe place to dry and have a fortifying cup of tea. Only the bisque firing, glazing, and another firing to go!
Love your chubby jug. I'm looking forward to seeing the next stages.
ReplyDeleteThanks! : D It will take several days before it's ready for the first firing. I hope it survives the ordeal by fire.
DeleteI love your little jug.. :o)
ReplyDeleteThank you! : ) I can't wait to move on to the next step.
DeleteNice work! Having 'pottered' with ceramics years ago, I never advanced beyond basic bowls; such fun!
ReplyDeleteThank you! It is great fun...messy... but fun!
DeleteI really love your pottery projects! Very nice little jug!
ReplyDelete