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.
M
9 comments:
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. ;)
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.
I never seem to cut the spout at the proper angle- infuriates me!! Thanks for the inspiration to practice more :)
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.
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...
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!
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!
Gary! you make fab teapots and that Leslie is super dubber FAB!
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!
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