Wax On – Wax Off
New Squared Mugs
Err, um…ahem, I seem to be having some issues – not the personal sort either, though I do have a few of those as well. But, this post is not about THOSE kinds of issues, although if I wax poetic all scholarly like, both could be related.
I find that I’m really rusty and out of practice as I begin the process of becoming reacquainted with clay. This is not a happy state of being for me since I want to exit the shoot hootin’ and a hollerin’ whipping out pottery left and right, filling my shelves to capacity with fluid ease. Instead, I’m ending up with some wonky ware with ugly handles. Sure, I’d love to just write about my success stories and make it look as though I live in pottery nirvana, but it doesn’t always work like that.
Anyone seen the new Karate Kid movie – or remember the original? I’ve decided that I need my own “wax on, wax off” (original) or “jacket off, jacket on the peg, drop jacket, jacket on” (new) kind of moment. Muscle memory is important when it comes to many different physical tasks including crafting pottery efficiently and with as little frustration possible.
I think I need to devote a day (or at least a couple 25 pound bags of clay) to repetitively throwing the same object/shape on the wheel till they begin to look fairly uniform. Then, I want to use the same approach to pulling handles, ‘cuz frankly mine stink! Maybe then I’ll have my aha moment…similar to Daniel san and I can stop fighting the clay. In all honesty, I should recycle the mugs in the photo above – they’re not worth keeping. It’s a good lesson to learn that everything we make is not precious and should be returned to the state from whence it began.
AND – really, square mugs? Not really practical when I think about the mechanics of drinking.
Chris
June 23, 2010 at 9:46 am //
I think they’re cute, though the one with the notched underside looks kinda like a bum (the backend kind, not the homeless kind), holding it like that….novelty mug?
Cynthia
June 23, 2010 at 8:41 pm //
teehee, Chris…never thought about it like that…
Undaunted
June 23, 2010 at 12:05 pm //
No no, I love square mugs! It’s just a matter of getting the right position for the handle and then they are easy to drink out of! I have a triangle mug too
I tried to make a square mug myself once, but it didn’t work out. Mind you, I was trying to make a square bottom with a round top. It just wasn’t happening.
Anyway, don’t be too hard on yourself, your stuff still looks better than mine and I haven’t even had a break!!
Cynthia
June 23, 2010 at 8:42 pm //
I am being hard on myself, Linda – but it’s necessary…who else will crack the whip?
dinahmow
June 23, 2010 at 2:28 pm //
Ah, yes, the “muscle memory.” Had a painful reminder of that when I picked up a blade after months of non-cutting.;-)
Cynthia
June 23, 2010 at 8:43 pm //
Dinahmow – ouch…know the feeling…
ang
June 23, 2010 at 5:17 pm //
theyre cute..but yes a good day throwing the same pieces will help although i’m more of an individual piece maker…and handles you have good days and bad days…dont be precious and go with the flow..looking good though since you’ve have a big break and a brain reshuffle, i find that the hardest to refocus…
Cynthia
June 23, 2010 at 8:44 pm //
I’ve always been an individual piece maker too, Ang – maybe be I need to return to the path…or maybe it’s school that’s drilled efficiency into my brain. I don’t really aspire to be a production potter in real life, more a passionate potter. ;D
LInda Starr
June 24, 2010 at 3:35 am //
I like the square mug and also the (bum) foot. I like making one of a kind pieces too, but I am now seeing that practice does make perfect. The more I hand build the better my seams are getting. How do you handles feel in the hand, that’s the most important part to me in drinking from a mug.
Cynthia
June 24, 2010 at 5:48 am //
I’m much more of a hand builder myself, Linda – I need to find my textures, templates and special tools. Maybe I’ll try my hand at that today…
Brian
June 25, 2010 at 8:23 am //
Looking good! Didn’t Huey once say ‘It’s hip to be square”?
Just keep at it, be gentle with yourself, and…
BISHOC!
Cynthia
June 30, 2010 at 7:14 am //
Too funny – a friend’s husband works for Huey & the News and I saw them in Boston back stage – still touring after all these years!
meredith
June 25, 2010 at 2:13 pm //
It will not take you long to get back on the horse and ride!
Just keep going in the studio and waving your arms around and something good will come out.
Gitty-up!
Cynthia
June 30, 2010 at 7:15 am //
Will do Meredith – first I need to make it in the studio…okay I do have an excuse this week. My in-laws were in town.
jim
June 28, 2010 at 10:34 am //
i think that you’ve already hit on the solution… just keep throwing and it’ll all be as it was in no time. i’m amazed at how much better i’m throwing this week as opposed to only 3 week before. works on handles too.
Cynthia
June 30, 2010 at 7:16 am //
Jim – I so miss my home studio. It’s hard to be consistent when I have to travel to the guild to throw. wah wah
John "littlelikesand"
June 30, 2010 at 2:56 pm //
Hey Cynthia, I hate square cups. I always wear the first gulp. Some say pottery is like riding a bicycle, you never forget. Don`t believe it. Handles are the most important part of the cup for me. My lovely wife says` it`s almost impossible to make a universal handle. It takes a variety of shapes for a variety of hands. See ya.