Another sad

Tea set arrived with a casualty. Teapot and creamer were fine, the ele-tot sugar bowl was ele-totalled.

Unusually for me, I purchased insurance for full value of this shipment (I usually have faith in my packing, but every now and again, I'll surrender to the impulse), so I can make a claim for replacement cost.

Meanwhile, I need to make a replacement for my customer. Because I'm not firing frequently because pandemic, I'd better make two to be sure of one good one for the set. Of course, if both turn out, I wind up with an extra again.

Pachydermy

Back in the studio after several weeks break. I've collected a bunch of special orders, and need to make a replacement sugar bowl for the elephant tea set. Fortunately, I remember that the cream and sugar bowls were a pound of clay each. Throwing them is like making a bank, but in miniature.

It's finally summer here, warm and dry in the studio, so by evening, I can wrap the bodies tightly in plastic for over night. In the morning, I first make parts: pinch pot ears, rolled coil legs and hand-formed eyebrows, tails, lower lips. I scrape some clay off the bottom edge of each body, roll it around on the tabletop, and rib the surface smooth and round.

Next, I score and slip attachment points, put on ears, eyebrows, chin and tail. Flip over and attach the legs.

The hole in the back is cut with the same tool I use for stoppers in the banks. I save the disc cut-out, clean up the edge, and add a coil around the rim. I add a blob of clay for a knob, stick the whole thing to a centered chuck on the wheel, and clean, smooth and shape the knob and lip.

I put some thin plastic over the hole, position the lid, and do any tweaking needed to fit. Afterwards, I take out the plastic and gently replace the lid, so it and the body will dry at the same rate. I make eyes from white and colored porcelain, score and moisten to attach, make pupils with a little bamboo chopstick tool.