Care
Ware may be microwaved; however, dark clays (containing iron) will heat faster - be careful, and/or use an oven mitt.
Ware may be run through the dishwasher, however, hand washing is recommended.
Material
All work is in mid-range clay fired to 2200°F, sourced from IMCO and Laguna*.
Glazes are prepared on site from raw ingredients sourced from IMCO, Aardvark Clay, Clay Planet, and US Pigment.
All functional ware food surfaces receive a "liner glaze" - a durable clear or white surface.
Glaze recipes are from reputable sources and follow established best practices; all are food safe.
Features
Sipping Zone
Mugs, cups and tumblers are smoothed, polished, and slightly recurved where one's bottom lip parks - just below the rim (see red arrow, below).
Ware may be microwaved; however, dark clays (containing iron) will heat faster - be careful, and/or use an oven mitt.
Ware may be run through the dishwasher, however, hand washing is recommended.
Material
All work is in mid-range clay fired to 2200°F, sourced from IMCO and Laguna*.
Glazes are prepared on site from raw ingredients sourced from IMCO, Aardvark Clay, Clay Planet, and US Pigment.
All functional ware food surfaces receive a "liner glaze" - a durable clear or white surface.
Glaze recipes are from reputable sources and follow established best practices; all are food safe.
Features
Sipping Zone
Mugs, cups and tumblers are smoothed, polished, and slightly recurved where one's bottom lip parks - just below the rim (see red arrow, below).
Foot Ring
limits furniture/counter contact to the ring only, which is polished smooth;
allows the rest of the bottom to be glazed, which makes it stronger;
provides a place for one's fingers to catch when handling;
looks nice!
Profile
Smooth curve is pleasing to the eye and allows more volume.
On the inside, more curve where the side meets the base is easier to clean than a sharp corner, easier to spoon from, and stronger as well.
Chatter Marks
provide visual interest
provide visual interest
Handles
have to feel right.
Big, medium, small; loopy, D shape, P shape; thin, thick - I try to provide some variety.
Pick up, tilt it, swing it around, put it down, pick it up, have a sip - how's that feel?
The evolution has been from the high loop depicted at the lower left and upper right corners to a lower loop as depicted at the lower right (a modified "P" shape) and upper left (a "D" shape).
The two red mugs (top row, second from the right) are in between, where there's a slight upward angle from the top join. Note, the front has a larger opening and is thicker.
Each handle starts as a blob of clay rolled into a taper. From there, it is wetted and "pulled" to the desired shape, taper, and size and hung to dry. Once the handle is stiffened (but still flexible), it is attached to the form.
*There's some Aardvark Clay and Clay Planet clays in the Studio, which I'll eventually work through.
IMCO is closest (after our move) and I like their clays very much; they also carry Laguna - I'll definitely be getting more Speckled Buff!
IMCO is closest (after our move) and I like their clays very much; they also carry Laguna - I'll definitely be getting more Speckled Buff!