Michael McDowell on sun 30 nov 08
Ann Brink says she is experimenting with a cup handle flat on the top to
help keep thumbs from sliding down the curve. She calls this an "elf-ear"
handle and refers us to her blog for an illustration:
www.annsgoodies.blogspot.com .
Ann, I commend you for considering what your handles might feel like to a
hand. Too often, potters seem only to worry about what their handles look
like to an eye. In use, a mug is mostly about touch and feel, weight and
balance. Of course we don't want to offend the eyes, but a favorite mug will
speak to the hands and the lips in a more intimate language. It is this
opportunity of intimate contact and communication bypassing the intellect
that makes the challenge of making a good mug fresh for me.
I must say that I have never done the "elf-ear". Nor have I seen others do
it. But someone probably has. I do try to create a purchase for the thumb. A
little level place on top of the handle. My method for this is to apply a
little ball of moist clay on top of the curve just as the freshly applied
handles are stiffening up. Then I squish that ball down with my thumb so
that it makes the little flat pad that a thumb seems to crave. This solution
is certainly not unique to me. It is called a "thumb stop" and many potters
incorporate it. Not all who do seem to have the sense of what it's purpose
is however. Some seem to regard it simply as a decorative element and place
or shape their thumb stop in a way that doesn't really help the ergonomics.
If you want to see mine, try this link:
http://www.mcdowellpottery.com/Mugs.htm
Michael McDowell
Whatcom County, WA, USA
michael@mcdowellpottery.com
http://www.McDowellPottery.com
Ann Brink on sun 30 nov 08
Hi everyone,
I am quite particular about the shape of cups/mugs, and think that the
smallest changes can make quite a difference in whether a cup becomes a
favorite, or not. I made a series of cups with slightly different handles-
for photo and explanation, see my blog: The
cup picture is the first one on top. I'm curious whether any of you have
tried this kind of handle and whether people liked it or not. I looked at
Charlie Cummings Cup show and not one of the cups had this shape of handle.
Kind of surprised me, as I'm sure someone has done it before. Any opinions
are welcome!
Good firings,
Ann Brink in Lompoc CA
Ivor and Olive Lewis on mon 1 dec 08
Dear Ann Brink,
My first experience of the style of handle you illustrate was on a
collection of genuine Stoke on Trent slip cast bone china my mother
bought late in 1939, just before things went into short supply. The
only difference was that the form of their handles was more
exaggerated. The upper limb had a pronounced ogee curve and joined the
upright at an acute angle.
We called it the "Harlequin set" . Every cup had individual
decoration, a riot of onglaze enamel patterns and gold lustre.
Wonderful to look at but uncomfortable to use.
Are you aiming to get Spock's ears ?
Best regards,
Ivor Lewis.
Redhill,
South Australia.
Ann Brink on mon 1 dec 08
Hello Michael,
Thanks for writing, I appreciate your comments.
I looked at your website http://www.mcdowellpottery.com/Mugs.htm and think
your thumbstops are some of the more graceful I've seen. I've known about
thumbstops for years and noticed a really wide variation in styles, some of
them not too attractive! So far I have not experimented with them.
Cups/mugs are always interesting to make, as you said below, and I think you
described it well.
Ann Brink in Lompoc
----- Original Message -----
From: "Michael McDowell"
> Ann Brink says she is experimenting with a cup handle flat on the top to
> help keep thumbs from sliding down the curve. She calls this an "elf-ear"
> handle and refers us to her blog for an illustration:
> www.annsgoodies.blogspot.com .
>
> Ann, I commend you for considering what your handles might feel like to a
> hand. Too often, potters seem only to worry about what their handles look
> like to an eye. In use, a mug is mostly about touch and feel, weight and
> balance. Of course we don't want to offend the eyes, but a favorite mug
> will
> speak to the hands and the lips in a more intimate language. It is this
> opportunity of intimate contact and communication bypassing the intellect
> that makes the challenge of making a good mug fresh for me.
>
> I must say that I have never done the "elf-ear". Nor have I seen others do
> it. But someone probably has. I do try to create a purchase for the thumb.
> A
> little level place on top of the handle. My method for this is to apply a
> little ball of moist clay on top of the curve just as the freshly applied
> handles are stiffening up. Then I squish that ball down with my thumb so
> that it makes the little flat pad that a thumb seems to crave. This
> solution
> is certainly not unique to me. It is called a "thumb stop" and many
> potters
> incorporate it. Not all who do seem to have the sense of what it's purpose
> is however. Some seem to regard it simply as a decorative element and
> place
> or shape their thumb stop in a way that doesn't really help the
> ergonomics.
> If you want to see mine, try this link:
> http://www.mcdowellpottery.com/Mugs.htm
>
> Michael McDowell
> Whatcom County, WA, USA
> michael@mcdowellpottery.com
> http://www.McDowellPottery.com
>
Sherron & Jim Bowen on tue 2 dec 08
I have yet to hold a mug or cup that incorporates a "thumb stop" in the
handle that is comfortable for me to hold. Maybe tomorrow I will find one
but I am not counting on it. I have seen them on pitchers that work but the
they are for assisting in pouring in a direction away from the handle not at
a right angle to it..
JB
----- Original Message -----
From: "Michael McDowell"
To:
Sent: Sunday, November 30, 2008 11:07 PM
Subject: Re: "elf-ear" cup handles
My method for this is to apply a
> little ball of moist clay on top of the curve just as the freshly applied
> handles are stiffening up. Then I squish that ball down with my thumb so
> that it makes the little flat pad that a thumb seems to crave. This
> solution
> is certainly not unique to me. It is called a "thumb stop" and many
> potters
> incorporate it. Not all who do seem to have the sense of what it's purpose
> is however. Some seem to regard it simply as a decorative element and
> place
> or shape their thumb stop in a way that doesn't really help the
> ergonomics.
William & Susan Schran User on tue 2 dec 08
On 12/2/08 10:45 AM, "Sherron & Jim Bowen"
wrote:
> I have yet to hold a mug or cup that incorporates a "thumb stop" in the
> handle that is comfortable for me to hold. Maybe tomorrow I will find one
> but I am not counting on it.
I incorporate the thumb stop by the way I attach my handles.
I simply squeeze down with my thumb as I press the handle on the cup.
Jim, will you be at NCECA? I plan to bring some cups. You could test them.
Mel has one of my cups, he can tell you if this method provides a
comfortable thumb stop, or tell everyone I'm just talking to hear my head
rattle...
Bill
--
William "Bill" Schran
wschran@cox.net
wschran@nvcc.edu
http://www.creativecreekartisans.com
Sherron & Jim Bowen on tue 2 dec 08
"Jim, will you be at NCECA? I plan to bring some cups. You could test them."
I plan to be at NCECA and would love to "test" your cups.
JB
----- Original Message -----
From: "William & Susan Schran User"
To:
Sent: Tuesday, December 02, 2008 12:27 PM
Subject: Re: "elf-ear" cup handles
Taylor Hendrix on tue 2 dec 08
Ann:
Your elf ear handle appears on many fine china cups that I have seen.
I like the shape myself.
I have a Baylor mug (I think it is a Baylor mug...) which is an
industrially manufactured mug with a handle that describes a rather
elongated football negative space. It is attached at the lower point
and the handle leans outwards away from the mug body, a kind of
"vulcan-ear" handle and it is quite comfortable to hold though I
prefer my plumbnelly ash-glazed mug to it.
BTW the thumb stop debate was not too long ago and you might gather
further insight by checking the archives.
Good handles to you,
Taylor, in Rockport TX
wirerabbit1 on Skype (-0500 UTC)
http://wirerabbit.blogspot.com
http://wirerabbitpots.blogspot.com
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