More Custom Linocut Mug Templates
New lino-cuts for mug templates
I started this post exactly 14 hours ago, but then the day beckoned with all her obligations and I’m only now getting back to finishing my draft around 10:30pm (normally way past my bedtime – yeah, I really know how to party). I wanted to publish the post tonight, however, so that I can spend some time tomorrow morning perusing all my favorite blogs while I drink my coffee instead of forcing my brain cells to align just enough to write something coherent.
I think this one turned out really well considering that this is the first impression and all the linoleum dingle berries have yet to dislodge themselves. The dingles will burn out though when I bisque this. Speaking of doing a bisque fire, I think I will have enough new work to fill the kiln next week!
Here’s the almost finished mug – I say almost because it still needs to be cleaned up once it firms up to the leather hard stage. At this point in the process, I actually don’t touch this very much once assembled. I tweaked the handle template a bit and came up with this sassy one. I like it better than the original which just seemed to have too much clay. I’ll probably tweak the handle template just a bit more so that it’s slightly larger. I’m really excited about these new pieces and the direction it’s taking me – I sure hope they turn out nicely.
^6 stoneware test tiles
In my last post, I mentioned that I had hoped to start doing some glaze testing this week. It’s been delayed slightly. In my enthusiasm to find new glazes for these pieces, I neglected to check if I had sufficient test tiles. I only found 1 usable test tile in my studio and it was a porcelain clay one – so I made about 100 test tiles using the white stoneware clay body on Tuesday night. I want to do some 6 part color progression glaze testing using Mason Stains and need a lot of the tiles to accomplish my goal. I’ll need even more if my tests don’t turn out so well. Time to put on my chemist’s hat…
Meanwhile, I did nothing in the way of clay today. Well, that’s not entirely true. After an early morning Dr. appointment and a few other errands, I spent the day at Park Meadows Mall. I normally consider this an evil place and quite energy sapping, but I promised my daughter that I’d take her for an afternoon of lunch and shopping – she had $44.00 in her pocket that was burning a hole. I had an ulterior motive though. I was on a mission to visit every kitchen store possible in search for some new studio tools. I did pretty well and will be playing around with the new tools all day tomorrow.
Do you know what? I’d love to visit and travel around Japan someday. There’s such a rich ceramic and pottery tradition in Asia that would be wonderful to soak in and witness. No – I’m not going to Japan any time soon, but 3 of my pieces are this week or early next week. I hope they’re well received.
That’s it for tonight,
~Cynthia
PS. I’ll edit this in the morning – so please excuse all grammatical and spelling errors.
Melody
July 3, 2008 at 5:37 am //
Cynthia, did I miss something? Three of your pieces are going to Japan? How exciting for you.
LB
July 3, 2008 at 5:44 am //
Your techniques have fabulous results! And, congrats about your work going to Japan! That is awesome!
Jean Levert Hood
July 3, 2008 at 6:16 am //
Cynthia, I do love seeing your work in progress! Fascinating. Wonderful for your pieces going to Japan!
Mary T.
July 3, 2008 at 6:38 am //
I think the 3 pieces going to Japan is awesome in the extreme! Making 100 titles sounds like about as much fun as smearing stuff–charcoal, graphite, clay bases penicls, etc in a panel and then seeing what different media do. A big yawner, for most, but exciting when you do it the first time. Oh, and what about making the 1000th gray scale! Now, there is excitement for you.
Knowing nothing about ceramics, is the flat top on the handle a design statement or a necessity for strength? Or neither? Just curious.
janvangogh
July 3, 2008 at 2:00 pm //
These are some really nice textures. I like the flower one for sure. So the fish bones is going to be a mug also?
Undaunted
July 3, 2008 at 3:56 pm //
These mugs are just fantastic! Thank you for sharing the creative process. I’m curious to see the template for the handle though because I’m sort of confused about that. Are they hollow?
Cynthia
July 3, 2008 at 4:41 pm //
Thanks Melody – yes they were purchased by an executive who is going on a business trip and he is going to present them to potential clients or something. If all goes well, more sales may happen.
Thanks LB & Jean!
Mary – yeah, making test tiles isn’t my favorite studio task – but it’s a necessary one. The flat top is an aesthetic choice. I’ve made at least 8 of these mugs now and each has a slightly different handle. Once they come out of the kiln, I’ll be able to see how they fit in my hand and make a choice as to which ones I like for future work.
Thanks Janet! The fish bones is actually a collaboration between my husband and myself. He drew it for me and I carved it. It’s too small for a mug, but it could be a small tumbler.
I’ll share that Undaunted – just didn’t think about it. It’s actually a Lana Wilson handle template and it is indeed hollow once made.
Meanwhile, I thought I was going to get around to my fave blogs this morning, but I ended up spending a good 7 hours in the garden dividing plants and doing clean up (I know not the right time of the year to divide). It will be survival of the fittest in our 90 degree heat and no moisture for the past month. Manual watering is okay but doesn’t do the same thing as a good rain shower. I keep doing the rain dance, but it’s not working.
Nancy
July 3, 2008 at 8:19 pm //
Wow, love the mug. Congratulation’s on the items going to Japan. Sounds like summer is working for you and you are enjoying your time.
Undaunted
July 4, 2008 at 5:54 am //
Hehehe, could you add a Youtube video of you doing a rain dance as well please?
Cynthia
July 4, 2008 at 6:46 am //
Hi Nancy – long time no see – I’m going to have to pop on over to your blog to find out what you’ve been up to!
Undaunted – that would not be pretty!
I’ve been known to do it in public much to the humiliation of my daughter.
Heidi Elliott
July 8, 2008 at 10:19 am //
I jumped over here from your flickr photos. Can I just tell you a big thanks for sharing your work-in-progress as well as your test tile results. I plan on reading the glaze testing post in a little more detail when I get home tonight.
You make me want to get back to clay work. My electric kiln is in my garage waiting to be teleported down into my basement studio
It should materialize there some time in August.
Happy Mudding!
Cheryl
July 11, 2008 at 7:12 am //
Your stamps (templated?) mugs are lovely. Thank you as well for posting all your glaze tests.