Handles

My usual handle

 For every potter I have ever worked with, I have learned different techniques for attaching and shaping handles. I made some mugs a few days ago and was attaching handles yesterday when Joseph demonstrated how he makes his handles. My usual handle shape is in the photo above.

Joseph's handle

The photo above is the handle Joseph demonstrated. Then I made a few handles. I think I will make some more mugs and continue trying out this style of handle. I do like that the edges of the handle are less sharp, but I have not decided whether I like the rounded juncture at the top.I have also been trying to make pieces of pottery much thinner than I have ever made them, and it is resulting in either some George Ohr sculptures or some decent looking mugs. 3/4 of a pound for a mug! Not a surprise, I know, and I know it's possible, it's just something new! Lots of learning!

My attempts at making a handle similar to Joseph's demonstration

How do you throw?

My little corner of the world at Joseph's

I have thrown on the pottery wheel sitting down for nearly ten years now. I've played around a bit with a kick wheel and tried a little throwing while standing up. At Joseph's I have been throwing on the wheel standing up. For making the larger pieces I have had to stand on several large bats in order to have more height (yeah, yeah, don't laugh). It's kind of a balancing act, but I really like the setup!

Necessary Evils

Pile of reclaim clay ready to go through the pug mill

One of the necessary evils of making pottery, especially in a production setting, is putting clay through a pug mill. The clay is put into the mill where rotating discs push the clay to the front of the pug mill.

Clay getting ready to be pressed in to the mill

When the clay is pushed forward in the machine, it is compressed through a fine screen and then compressed again into a tube of clay.  

Reclaimed clay coming out of the pug mill

I am not a huge fan of putting clay through a pug mill, however, I intend to own one someday and appreciate the utility of the machinery.

The reclaimed clay was then used to make flowerpots in the afternoon. Joseph said that my small 1 pound rounded flowerpots looked like chamber pots. I have yet to decide whether that was a good thing or not. I am just thankful that we have advanced beyond the horse or mule-drawn mills which potters used to pug clay with. I'd hate to have to buy a mule too!

Warm puppies gathered by the stove all day