Joyce Lee on sun 24 sep 00
Tony C. said:
> Why do people put those store bought cane handles on a
> perfectly good teapot? You can spot them a mile away
> too.
Drat. I just ordered a few dozen of these.... being always an optimist.
I didn't purchase them because I'M crazy about them... I'M still
wandering slightly befogged between the spots of light clayarters are
providing here in Tea Party Land ... but because I've overheard so many
others at shows describe a teapot they'd seen and admired that had
"wonderful" or "darling" or "elegant" or "nice" or "strong" handles
........ when I'd seek out the object of their admiration, that's what
the handles were: cane handles, and not handmade ones either.
Now, tell me please, what's wrong with such handles? Too stiff? I've
seen and attempted some of Lana Wilson's handles as demonstrated on her
videotapes. I agree that HER loose, soft handles are nothing like the
cane handles... and that they are fun to make. However, I don't want my
teapots to look like Lana W.'s either, intriguing as they are and as
much money as she rakes in. In my Still Developing Taste Mode, her
teapots (to ME ... not speaking for anybody else, of course) look like
cartoon teapots, not ALIVE, BREATHING works of art......
Joyce
In the Mojave aware that she formerly didn't appreciate shino nor ash
glazes ...... thought that they were too runny and ashy looking.....
didn't know that that was the point.......
Dannon Rhudy on mon 25 sep 00
....I've overheard so many
> others at shows describe a teapot they'd seen and admired that had
> "wonderful" or "darling" or "elegant" or "nice" or "strong" handles
> ....... when I'd seek out the object of their admiration, that's what
> the handles were: cane handles, and not handmade ones either......
Joyce, if you use purchased cane handles, you can easily alter them to
be MUCH more personal by any number of means. attach them to the pot,
and then you can add hand-woven touches, using chair caning/basket
weaving supplies. These come (inexpensively) in very small diameters
that are easy to manipulate. You may find after doing a few of these
that you are more willing to try some "from scratch" handles. The
main advantage to altering purchased ones is that they are easy to fit
on to the pot, and sturdy enough not to bounce when you pick up to pour.
regards
Dannon Rhudy
Martin Howard on mon 25 sep 00
Using a tea pot everyday at 4.00 pm, I know a good tea pot when I USE one.
Does it pour well? Does it drip? Does it hold enough or too much?
Does it have strainer holes? Does the lid fall out before all the tea has
been poured?
But probably most important is how it handles.
A cane handle over the top provides a good balance to the pot. Tipping it
feels easy and just right.
Whereas the typical handle on one side with a spout on the opposite side is
so often heavy, and with a large pot, a considerable effort is required.
So my latest are with thrown handles over the top, like a kettle.
However, in our little wood are many willow trees, of different varieties. I
would love to make handles out of them, and fix them to the pots via small
lugs, Chinese way. Another job for the future. But until that happy day, I
may well buy a few cane handles from my friendly local pottery supplier.
I would be interested in a good lead to where I can find details of just how
to deal with the willow and form it into handles.
Martin Howard
Webb's Cottage Pottery
Woolpits Road, Great Saling
BRAINTREE, Essex CM7 5DZ
England
martin@webbscottage.co.uk
Jim V Brooks on mon 25 sep 00
Joyce.. I have seen some very nice handles.... built or put together.... by
the potters. However, I don't have the least idea how to do these.!!. Do
you..know of a source for the cane ..reed.. or whatever that small round
stuff is..so we could try. I don't like those Store-bought things either..
So far.. I still pull mine from clay.. but would really like to try making
some "home.made ones".
Jim in Dallas.---- where our three months without a drop of rain was
broken with a big 1/10 inche ..but it has cooled off..
Joyce Lee on mon 25 sep 00
Thank you, dear Dannon. I'll bet that's how some of the neat ones I saw
had been altered. I shall do exactly that to the ones I purchased when I
finally start........ sometime THIS week..... on the big teapot project.
I think I'm ready for it this time. I should be. I certainly have enough
impressive resources!
Joyce
> ...I've overheard so many
> > others at shows describe a teapot they'd seen and admired that had
> > "wonderful" or "darling" or "elegant" or "nice" or "strong" handles
> > ....... when I'd seek out the object of their admiration, that's what
> > the handles were: cane handles, and not handmade ones either......
>
> Joyce, if you use purchased cane handles, you can easily alter them to
> be MUCH more personal by any number of means. attach them to the pot,
> and then you can add hand-woven touches, using chair caning/basket
> weaving supplies. These come (inexpensively) in very small diameters
> that are easy to manipulate. You may find after doing a few of these
> that you are more willing to try some "from scratch" handles. The
> main advantage to altering purchased ones is that they are easy to fit
> on to the pot, and sturdy enough not to bounce when you pick up to pour.
>
> regards
>
> Dannon Rhudy
>
> _
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