Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Wandering Wednesday

Yesterday I decided to head back over to that stoneware clay and make 4 more Teapots. I don't know about you but two is not enough to work an item out of ones system. So I did 4 bodies which I will do spouts on today.
I never throw spouts the same day I make teapots. I use to think all the items needed to be made on the same day at the same time.
Then I went to a workshop at Jugtown Pottery with a Korean pottery- Mister... somebody.
Anyway- he would make a spout and then just put it on the pot.
Hummm- here he was working very wet and just popping that spout on the body with out a lot of fuss.
It change how I did spouts.
I now throw the body and lid.
Today I will trim the lid and fix the body- stamp and or carve and then I will make spouts, let them dry a bit, hit them with a hair dryer and then cut a whole- no little holes for me- and put the spout in place.
It always surprises me how much easier I find this.
Of course I see spouts that are better then mine and have more defined shapes but I always go back to this.
Some day I might change things up but then again if it is working....

I also did some jars and since it has been awhile I thought I would look some up to see how they have changed or if I need to do something different with them.
It is like reading recipes before you cook.
I read them and look up different ones and then I go cook.
I hardly ever follow the recipe instead I like the ideas and take components from several and combine.
Although if it starts with cream of any soup I don't even consider.
These were made at least 2 years ago.
Now to go see what I will do with those blanks I have out there waiting for me.



Cheers! Go make pots!
M

9 comments:

Unknown said...

I think teapots are probably the trickiest thing to make.. there are so many variables and I'm just not used to making them. I suppose one of these days I should just make teapots until I see teapots in my sleep. ;)

Linda Starr said...

I agree teapots are the hardest to make, one of these days I hope to make two alike. I cook the same as you, I used to use recipes, now I adapt them, make up my own, or just throw in all but the kitchen sink.

Unknown said...

I never seem to cut the spout at the proper angle- infuriates me!! Thanks for the inspiration to practice more :)

Michèle Hastings said...

perfect timing! i am working on teapots this week after avoiding them for so long. thank you for some great tips. i need to get series of bodies made and work in groups like you are doing. practice makes perfect.

Tracey Broome said...

I think messing with clay at the almost too wet for it stage gives it a lot more life. Most potters would be horrified to see how wet my clay is when I trim feet, but I like the authenticity you get with wet clay.
Not into teapots though, I have made two, one was ^10 except for the spout which I mistakenly thought was ^10 clay but it was raku clay, melted all over the kiln shelf. Never made that mistake again! The other teapot I have and use and quite like, but the lid doesn't fit, can't work that out...

cookingwithgas said...

Hi you all! I am southern!
Yes teapots take time and I have never forgotten how crazy they made me.
I had some early ones that were just terrible.
My son walks in and asks if he can have one.
Sure- I was touched- but not as much as when he grabbed it and said,"thanks! Dad and I are target shooting!"
sigh- it really was the best way for that pot to go.
Now- want to see some teapots!

Gary's third pottery blog said...

I cannot make the world's biggest pots or even the worlds best pots, but I do make a lot of cute teapots, I s'pose it is a specialty, and YOUR AWESOME sister just bought one!

cookingwithgas said...

Gary! you make fab teapots and that Leslie is super dubber FAB!

Sylvia N. said...

Teapots are out of my league for a while. I hopped back on the wheel again last night and threw four cups in two hours, but I threw pots! I had to stretch my back between each one, and do trial and error to find a way to sit lower than i am used to and anchor my arms against my hips....all this to take my back muscles out of the throwing....but i think it can be done.

As for working in series, I didn't work that way in my first few years, but have been more of a series girl in the past few. I find that I work through an idea, and then it grows. I like to watch ideas grow. Maybe tomorrow I will throw four more cups.....maybe four cups each day until I feel pain free while throwing. I hate making cups anyway, but I should always have them on hand for quick gifts. I know I love my favorite mug....it makes my coffee that much better. How many of you have a favorite mug that is made by another artist? My hubby thinks it is crazy that I love this one mug so much when I could just make my own in it's form.....but really, I think I love it because it is crafted by someone else, just like my favorite thing for dinner is whatever someone else has cooked for the family. Sorry, long comment, feeling a little chatty tonight!