Sam Cuttell on sun 3 jan 99
I put this out once a year to the group to give you all a smile to bring
in the new year.
Though the information presented is accurate, I am NOT looking for ideas
to streamline my production methods. One year I had a zillion messages
from people with "helpful hints". Please just enjoy the thing for what
it is - a tongue in cheek look at what we do every day. Feel free to
copy and change to fit your methods; and hang up where customers can
see. My best customers really enjoy this!!
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 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
- Read Clayart ;-)
- Respond to Clayart
- Pay Ontario Hydro
Thank you for your time and attention.
Sam
--
sam - alias the cat lady
Melbourne, Ontario
SW Ontario CANADA
http://www.geocities.com/paris/3110
scuttell@odyssey.on.ca
"Thousands of years ago, cats were worshipped as gods.
Cats have never forgotten this."
Jane Vernon on thu 31 may 07
Many thanks to the potter who originally posted "What goes into making a
mug" on Clayart. I'm sorry I've now lost my record of who it was, but I
remember the invitation to use or adapt it ourselves. I've had fun
working on my own version, a slideshow, which you can see at
http://www.clothandclay.co.uk/ceramics/slideshow.htm
I'm thinking of producing a printed version which I can display above my
stall at the farmers market.
--
Jane
http://www.clothandclay.co.uk
Maid O'Mud on thu 31 may 07
That would be me! :-))
Sam Cuttell
Maid O'Mud Pottery
RR 1
Melbourne, Ontario
N0L 1T0
CANADA
"First, the clay told me what to do.
Then, I told the clay what to do.
Now, we co-operate."
sam 1994
http://www.ody.ca/~scuttell/
scuttell@ody.ca
-----Original Message-----
From: Clayart [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG] On Behalf Of Jane Vernon
Sent: May 31, 2007 3:37 PM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: What goes into making a mug?
Many thanks to the potter who originally posted "What goes into making a
mug" on Clayart. I'm sorry I've now lost my record of who it was, but I
remember the invitation to use or adapt it ourselves. I've had fun working
on my own version, a slideshow, which you can see at
http://www.clothandclay.co.uk/ceramics/slideshow.htm
I'm thinking of producing a printed version which I can display above my
stall at the farmers market.
--
Jane
http://www.clothandclay.co.uk
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3:03 PM
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