Marsh Pottery on tue 1 jan 02
Sam,
This is priceless!! I love it!!
Actually I had no idea I did that much work - I'm really impressed with
myself and with all of us Clay People! :o)
Marsha Koenig
WHAT GOES INTO MAKING A MUG
(so glad you asked!!)
1. Drive to Toronto and pick up the clay - 3 hour trip EACH WAY.
2. Unload load clay into basement studio.
3. Weigh out amount needed.
4. Wedge (knead) clay.
5. Centre clay on wheel and throw the mug shape.
6. Remove from wheel and let dry 24 - 48 hours; depending on humidity.
7. Put mug back on wheel and trim.
8. Hand create handle.
9. Let handle dry 1 to 5 hours; depending on humidity.
10. Attach handle to trimmed mug.
11. Cover handle in hot wax to slow drying on very dry days.
12. Let mug dry 1 week minimum. If mug cracks at this point, re-cycle clay
and start over at step 3.
13. Take mug upstairs to kiln in the garage and fire to 1850 F - about 15-18
hours.
14. Take mug back downstairs to studio for glazing. If mug has cracked
during first firing, discard and write-off.
15. Mix glaze(s). Each glaze require approximately 3 hours to mix and sieve.
16. Put hot wax on the bottom of mug so it does not stick to kiln shelf.
17. Choose design and glaze mug.
18. Let mug dry thoroughly.
19. Bring mug back upstairs to kiln in the garage and load. If glaze
scratches or gets bumped on journey, wash with hot water and start back at
step 13.
20. Fire glazed mug to 2450 F. This takes 24 - 28 hours depending on
electricity demands.
21. Hold at 2450 F for approximately 25 minutes. Make sure all shelves reach
the exact same temperature.
22. Wait approximately 14 hours for kiln to cool to under 400 F before
opening.
23. Remove and check mug. If cracked, start over at step 1.
24. If mug has miraculously survived to this point, clean sharp bits off
bottom with grinding stone by hand, and put out for sale.
25. Last, but certainly not least instruction; try not to attack the foolish
person who innocently asks "Why does this mug cost so much?"
AND, let us not forget all the hidden steps NOT numbered in here.
- Answer phone
- Sell pots
- Pay Ontario Hydro
- Develop new glazes and slips
- Come up with new pots and ideas
- Pay Ontario Hydro
- Put out signs on road
- Have MTO take signs off road
- Pay Ontario Hydro
- Re-cycle clay
- Pay Ontario Hydro
- Read Clayart
Thank you for your time and attention.
Sam
My new kiln shed is built, and the kiln gets moved in tomorrow. No more
"upstairs, downstairs" for me (YAY!)
Sam
Maid O'Mud Pottery
Melbourne, Ontario CANADA
"Effort does not always
equal output" sam, 1999
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Les Crimp on wed 2 jan 02
Sam was out here on the Wet Coast (Vancouver Island) in the fall. It was
such a pleasure to meet her. Cool lady!
We swapped mugs which prompted our discussion of the making of mugs and "her
list". Sam live near London, Ontario and has another great potter friend,
Carol-Ann Michaelson, up closer to Toronto.
Carol-Ann was out our way doing some workshops last year and the subject of
mug pricing came up during one of her sessions at our Guild. I think she
had the classic comeback of all time:
A woman came into Carol-Ann's gallery and during her inspection of her
pottery, picked up one of Carol-Ann's beautiful mugs. She examined it very
closely, checking the price of course, and proceeded to say to Carol-Ann,
"Just how long does it take to make this mug?"
Carol-Ann replied, "24 years!"
Les Crimp on that Island in the Pacific.
lcrimp@shaw.ca
www.arrowsmithpottersguild.com
The Balentines on wed 2 jan 02
great Sam!!
Just wanted you to know that I have printed up your list of WHAT GOES INTO
MAKING A MUG. Now at last I have something to put into the hands of all
those customers that ask-"well how long did it take you to make this mug?"
LOL People don't have a clue sometimes. I only do 2 shows a year so I
don't have to answer to many questions or deal with the public as much as
others on the list. Just trys my patience to always be asked this question.
Not an easy one to answer. Susan in NC mountains where it is starting to
snow!!
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