One of my least favorite tasks to do in the studio is to pull handles for mugs. If you’re not a clay person and have never done it before, it’s a bit like I would imagine milking a cow would be like. To start the process, I generally make a “carrot” sized length of clay. I also make more than I will actually use since it normally takes me 1 or 2 tries before I get into the swing of things.
Sunday evening, I ventured into the garagio since it was relatively warm inside (the kiln was running) and my 4 thrown mug bodies were drying to the point where it was now or never. For motivation, I took a little nip with me (in a handmade tumbler of course) and turned on the radio.
Voilà ! After maybe 30 minutes of carrot making and pulling, I have 7 freshly pulled handles that I attached to a cement board to set up. In the mean time, I began trimming the bottom of the mugs.
After all was said and done, I breathed a sigh of relief after all the handles are chosen and attached to the mug bodies. I’m trying something a little different this time. When I went in search of my bottle of liquid wax - so that I could paint a little wax around the handles to prevent cracking, I found a frozen bottle of wax. I had to laugh because on the outside of the container, it reads, “DO NOT FREEZE”. Too late…. I tried defrosting the wax in the microwave to no avail when I remember the can of shellac (which is not frozen) that is sitting on one of my shelves. I reckon that the same principle of slowing down the drying between the joints where the handle meets the mug will apply to the use of shellac instead of wax. Time will tell. The mugs are currently drying inside the house as I write this.
Meanwhile, my week looks manageable. I teach my after school clay class this afternoon and am only scheduled to substitute teach one day this week. I hope to use some of this time to make some more work.
Have a good week everyone,
~Cynthia
Tags: handmade cups and mugs, pottery, pulling handles
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Your mugs are so perfect looking in shape and size. Even though I am not a clay person I say this, UGH! in regards to doing the handles.
Ah sounds nice though, getting out there, with a mug of something nice, good music and getting in the zone.
So beautiful! I remember from my college days how challenging it is to pull handles. Yours look perfect! I like how you refer to your workspace as the “garagio” - hahaha!
The way you do the handles looks pretty cool.
Your handles are perfect. Whenever you have the time pls place a tutorial on how do you attach them.
Thank you for sharing.
Have a great week, I hope you make lots and lots of new stuff…weather permitting. Love to see how you do what you do. I don’t know anything about clay, except that I love to see and learn about it. I think I’ll stick to my paint brushes though. :p
Getting into the zone is key, Jafabrit! ;D
Not perfect, Jessica - but I make it work.
I’ve been looking for an easier way to make handles, Janet, but when it comes right down to it, I like em best pulled.
You bet Miluzeira - since I make more than I need, I’ll choose the one that looks like the best fit, slice it off at a good place and then score and slip and sponge till it’s “pretty”.
It’s supposed to be in the 30’s this week, Heather - so fingers crossed, I can motivate myself to make more work.
Mug handles, the most artist and patron abused part of any mug. When I made mugs the handle was always the most stressfull part of the operation. Size, placement and texture then it has to be attached well AND dried properly not to speak of the glaze and firing process. Way to many decisions for me to deal with anymore! Have fun.
But the handles add so much to the grace and utility of the cup, Cynthia. I love them!