This is one of those mornings when I wished I drank coffee; I’m thinking all three would be filled up today. The mug on the left, I believe, was thrown out of porcelain clay by local artist Dee Smart Burdick. The piece in the middle is a wood fired brown stoneware by Tom Thumb pottery in Lebanon, Maine. I bought that piece years and years ago for $12 because I fell in love with the glaze; it was the only colorful piece surrounded by lots of terracotta pieces. This was light years before I knew I’d someday have my own kiln to play with. The piece on the far right, made from a red stoneware, is one that my mother picked up for me for $2 in a thrift shop in Prince Edward Island. I think it might also have some been dipped in slip as well because of the variety in the glaze. It’s a second due to a whomping dent in the bottom of the mug. That handle is surprisingly comfortable.
My goal is to fill our cupboard with all pottery mugs by the end of the year; hopefully I will have made most of them. I’m itching to play with that pottery wheel and get it mastered, but first I have to wade my way through tax returns, and then it needs to warm up down in the unheated garage. Even hubby wants to take a spin with it which amuses me to no end.
February 23rd, 2010 at 10:32 am
For Christmas 2008 my son wanted to take a pottery wheel course at a local studio. So we did. Last year at this time I was up to my elbows in clay (which if you know me at all is not something I like…I hate having my hands in ‘dirt’!) and it was a blast. My then 10 year old son was a whiz at it. He got frustrated. He had to practice patience. I wrote a post about it last year in February. The sad news is that this studio is closing this week. Now I will not be able to take that class with Tiny Dancer, who would be old enough next year. She is already pining that loss. I did succeed in making one little mug, but these are like rock stars! I love the idea that you will be filling your shelves with your own treasures. Thank you for sharing, Dot! Enjoy the day! Erin
February 23rd, 2010 at 11:13 am
what a wonderful goal! i was fortunate to have taken lessons from a local potter… i absolutely love sitting at the wheel – i could truly sit there forever… it is so mediative and challenging… enjoy! somehow, no matter how things turn out, you can make them into something – and your friends get little gifts of love!! :0)