Pots and Paintings

I thought I’d show you what I’ve been throwing since last weeks firing. I need to fill up the kiln for a bisque firing this coming week, then get on with some more glazing for another run of glaze firings. I’ve ordered more glaze but in the long run I want to mix my own glaze by making use of wood ash and local iron-rich clay.

Some 2lb Jugs.
I decided to go for 2lb clay as an intermediate size to what I’d already made, so I began with some jugs.
The first few were thrown with st. thomas clay. Now I’m using a buff stoneware which is more challenging to throw with, but that has pushed me to improve my technique so that I’m fussing much less and making each pot much quicker, which is good.

Above: one of the first 2lb jugs thrown. The latter ones have a slightly taller form to them. Looking at the handles already done I think I need to attach the remainder higher up so they spring out from the rim itself.


It’s interesting that the jugs at the front are taller than those behind, even though they are all thrown with 2lb clay. Either the shape has changed or I’m simply getting more out of the clay.

2lb Storage Jars
Staying with the 2lb lumps of clay I moved on to throwing some more storage jars. 

The more I’m throwing, the more uniform they are getting, almost identical heights and widths of rim. Also I’m throwing much quicker now, so maybe it’s time for another video to show my progress.

The mugs I threw the other week got their handles added. Larger mugs hold more coffee (or tea, or drinking chocolate..) so a one finger handle is not really sufficient.


That’s all for now. After the storage jars I want to try something different, like mixing bowls with a pouring lip, or soup dishes or candlestick holders. And I eventually want to return to doing some slip trailing on plates!