16/10/2025
I find it intriguing how we nickname people and things. Of course, there’s a line between them but as I delve deeper into production pottery, finding that sweet spot, I notice the lines blurring. This series of originally designed cups, now totaling over 40, has earned the name "pumpkins," and I must say, I adore them. Almost as much as my kids.
I've successfully crafted smaller 150 mL versions but this 350 mL cup has won my heart, especially for my morning coffee. The narrow opening effectively retains heat and prevents spills, while the broad base provides stability on soft surfaces. The horizontally textured rim complements the drinking experience, and the textured base showcases the fascinating qualities of clay.
I've experimented with various sizes, from enormous to minuscule, and I'm eager to continue exploring. Does a tighter pattern suit smaller cups, while a broad pattern suits larger ones?
What I love most about handmade pottery is the ability to bring my experiments to life and discover the answers myself. It's incredibly fulfilling, especially when working with a design I've created.
Another area of experimentation is glazing. I've tried various colors - whites, blues, greens, and browns - and fired them at different temperatures, 1100°C and 1200°C. The results have been astounding, with each temperature yielding a unique outcome. These cups in this photo are glazed in a green tinted Japanese Shino at 1220c. But I’ve had the most satisfying results when I fire them yet again in a glaze fire at 1100° using a vibrant translucent blue over this green and brown. Stay turned for more photos of those.
Thanks for letting me work through my thoughts, if you’d like to pick up a pair of these in the coming weeks, they’re being sold at the pottery shed shop 656 Crown St Surry hills.
A special shout out to my OG daughter on her big birthday today in California. Love you Jen!
