tony clennell on sun 29 nov 09
Vince: there is a DVD of Cardew pulling handles that is well worth
watching. He maintains a handle needs to have a back bone. There is a
part in the video where he pulls an
ugly one off the pot and slams it on the floor and curses "GD it'.
Student always get a kick outta that.
I maintain as Cardew does that one must stand and hold the clay in
front of your face. I am forever finding students sitting down pulling
handles. The thing is you can tell them to throw 50 bowls and they do
it with smiles. Tell them this is a trimming day and more smiles for
an entire day. Ask them to pull handles and within 20 minutes they are
doing something else.
It is my favourite job in the studio.
Cheers,
tony
--
http://sourcherrypottery.com
http://smokieclennell.blogspot.com
Taylor Hendrix on sun 29 nov 09
Dear Tony,
This is sweet. You're trying to produce a class full of high-priced
hookers. Really, that's sweet.
I just don't have the time to put into handles. I've too many other
things to do. Can't I just make them out of slabs? They would work
just fine and I wouldn't have to turn any tricks to get a finished
product.
Honestly, why is it that so many potters insist that one put so much
time into certain things. That's just crazy. It actually borders on
dictatorship, it does.
Geeze,
Taylor, in Rockport TX
wirerabbit1 on Skype (-0600 UTC)
http://wirerabbit.blogspot.com
http://wirerabbitpots.blogspot.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wirerabbit/
On Sun, Nov 29, 2009 at 8:50 AM, tony clennell wr=
ote:
... Ask them to pull handles and within 20 minutes they are
> doing something else.
...
Vince Pitelka on sun 29 nov 09
Taylor wrote:
"I just don't have the time to put into handles. I've too many other
things to do. Can't I just make them out of slabs? They would work
just fine and I wouldn't have to turn any tricks to get a finished
product.
Honestly, why is it that so many potters insist that one put so much
time into certain things. That's just crazy. It actually borders on
dictatorship, it does."
Taylor -=3D20
I'm trying to figure out whether you are serious here, because the above =
=3D
doesn't really sound like you. Dictatorship? Did anyone tell you that =
=3D
you have to do something a certain way? And if someone tried to, would =3D
you pay them any attention? Those of us who teach would like to help =3D
our students make better pots, and better handles is part of that. As =3D
far as someone "insisting that one put so much time into certain =3D
things," no one can insist that but you. You put in the necessary time =3D
to get the results you desire. Some things take longer than other =3D
things. Good handles take longer than crappy handles. A handle made =3D
out of a piece of slab might be perfectly fine for certain forms, but it =
=3D
could also diminish the effectiveness of the finished piece. A handle =3D
made out of a piece of slab would probably look silly on a thrown form.
- Vince
Vince Pitelka
Appalachian Center for Craft
Tennessee Tech University
vpitelka@dtccom.net; wpitelka@tntech.edu
http://iweb.tntech.edu/wpitelka
lela martens on mon 30 nov 09
Hi Taylor=3D2C
If you aren`t pulling handles=3D2C you`ve got to be pulling my leg.
If a potter isn`t making mugs=3D2C cups=3D2Cjugs=3D2C fine=3D2C do without=
.=3D20
=3D20
If they are=3D2C they had better understand that the handle is as least as=
i=3D
mportant as the vessel part. If the handle doesn`t `feel` right=3D2C isn`t =
co=3D
mfortable=3D2C isn`t in conjunction=3D2C ...well=3D2C forget it. Maybe if i=
t`s on=3D
e of those unuseable pieces on the mantle...one might `pull it off`=3D2C pr=
ob=3D
ably not.
=3D20
I quickly get rid of unfriendly beings in my cupboards. A handle that offe=
=3D
nds is tolerated in a measuring cup=3D2C not my mugs. I`ve just checked thi=
s =3D
thread=3D2C and knowing you..you must be joking=3D2Ceh=3D2C rabbit?
=3D20
You are kidding us=3D2C surely?
=3D20
>=3D20
> I just don't have the time to put into handles. I've too many other
> things to do. Can't I just make them out of slabs? They would work
> just fine and I wouldn't have to turn any tricks to get a finished
> product.
>=3D20
> Honestly=3D2C why is it that so many potters insist that one put so much
> time into certain things. That's just crazy. It actually borders on
> dictatorship=3D2C it does.
>=3D20
> Geeze=3D2C
>=3D20
> Taylor=3D2C in Rockport TX
> wirerabbit1 on Skype (-0600 UTC)
> http://wirerabbit.blogspot.com
> http://wirerabbitpots.blogspot.com
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/wirerabbit/
>=3D20
>=3D20
>=3D20
> On Sun=3D2C Nov 29=3D2C 2009 at 8:50 AM=3D2C tony clennell @gmail=3D
.com> wrote:
> ... Ask them to pull handles and within 20 minutes they are
> > doing something else.
> ...
=3D20
_________________________________________________________________
Ready. Set. Get a great deal on Windows 7. See fantastic deals on Windows 7=
=3D
now
http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=3D3D9691818=3D
KATHI LESUEUR on mon 30 nov 09
On Nov 29, 2009, at 10:37 PM, Vince Pitelka wrote:
> Taylor wrote:
> "I just don't have the time to put into handles.....
>
> Taylor -
> I'm trying to figure out whether you are serious here, because the
> above doesn't really sound like you. Dictatorship? Did anyone
> tell you that you have to do something a certain way? And if
> someone tried to, would you pay them any attention? Those of us
> who teach would like to help our students make better pots, and
> better handles is part of that.
I used to be a handle snob. I pulled my handles from the mugs and
maintained that if I couldn't pull handles then I just wouldn't make
mugs. But, here I am today with my extruded handles. I had shoulder
surgery a number of years ago and I found after that pulling handles
was just too painful. Ten mugs and I'd have to go in the house and
ice it. Customers like my mugs. They like the balance on them and
they like that handle. Who would have thought?
KATHI LESUEUR
http://www.lesueurclaywork.com
KATHI LESUEUR on mon 30 nov 09
On Nov 29, 2009, at 10:54 PM, lela martens wrote:
> Hi Taylor,
>
> If you aren`t pulling handles, you`ve got to be pulling my leg.
> If a potter isn`t making mugs, cups,jugs, fine, do without.
>
>
>
> If they are, they had better understand that the handle is as
> least as important as the vessel part. If the handle doesn`t `feel`
> right, isn`t comfortable, isn`t in conjunction, ...well, forget it.
> Maybe if it`s one of those unuseable pieces on the mantle...one
> might `pull it off`, probably not.>>
I often cite the following quote when a discussion of mugs comes up,
"I've been through the whole show and your's are the best mugs here."
Said not to me but to another potter who's mug I didn't like. The
handles didn't "feel right", they weren't "comfortable", at least in
my hand. What I've learned is that handles are very much a personal
preference and no one is going to agree on what is the best. When I
have large gatherings I put out all of the mugs I bought or traded
over the years. Some of the shapes and handles really bother me. But,
they get picked up and used and when I inquire, "How do you like that
mug I traded for?" Usually they tell me they like it. There are no
rules for mugs just as there are no rules for teapots.
KATHI LESUEUR
http://www.lesueurclaywork.com
marci and rex on mon 30 nov 09
At 05:13 PM 11/30/2009, KATHI LESUEUR wrote:
What I've learned is that handles are very much a personal
>preference and no one is going to agree on what is the best. When I
>have large gatherings I put out all of the mugs I bought or traded
>over the years. Some of the shapes and handles really bother me. But,
>they get picked up and used and when I inquire, "How do you like that
>mug I traded for?" Usually they tell me they like it. There are no
>rules for mugs just as there are no rules for teapots.
I wonder how much of it is that those of us who are
non-potters ( I count myself in this group for the sake of
this discussion because I have never made a mug or teapot and
have never pulled a handle ) dont think about handles and are
used to dealing with bad handles and just accept that unconsciously .
We look at a mug and think " Oh, I like that color" or " I
LOVE the funny saying on THAT one " ... We dont think
about how it feels in our hand.. You kind of expect that
a teacup handle might be tough for you to get your finger
into .. or that you have to hold a mug with 2 hands because
it doesnt balance right when its full..
I think potters are more aware of things like the feel of
a mug and the balance of a handle because you intimately deal
with those things... thinking about how things feel in your hands....
. The other day we were at a chinese restaurant and as
I was pouring tea , I starting thinking " DAMN ! The balance on
this teapot sucks.. and its killing my wrist to pour this
!" LOL !.... Had I not been reading all of your posts
about handles, THAT thought would probably never have entered
my mind...
This may all be total bull crap ... but .. thats my story ..
and Im stickin to it... :O)
Marci
www.ppio.com
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