Penance

[offcntr]

I mentioned here that handles are my penance for throwing mugs. So I'm feeling very penitential today. Twenty tall mugs to handle, sixteen stews.

I learned this trick for handle-making years ago, at Tuscarora Pottery School: roll out a long cone/carrot shape from wedged clay. Flatten by thumping against work surface on both sides. Set aside, repeat until you've got 36 of them.

Put a little warm water in the bucket--mornings are getting surprisingly cold here in Eugene. Hold handle blank by butt end in right hand (I'm left-handed) and shape with long strokes of left hand, using water to lubricate, thumb and forefinger to shape. Tip handle over butt end down so it forms a lovely catenary curve, set on a bat to firm up while you do the next.

Move handles to a safe place to stiffen while you trim stew mugs, smooth bottoms of mugs, throw some more pots, have lunch--takes them a surprisingly long time before they're ready to handle.

When it's time to attach the handles, score and slip the attachment points on the mug. Use a cheese slicer (roller removed) to cut off the excess clay at the top of the handle, cutting on a curve to match the mug shape, angled slightly to make the handle curve up slightly off the pot. Grip with thumb on top, index fingertip underneath and press onto mug. Smooth edges of top onto mug, thumbprint bottom to attach. Clean off extra slip. Fuss with handle to adjust to the perfect lovely curve. (This really needs a video.)

Thirty-five more to go…