Vince Pitelka on sun 20 jun 04
> When is "just the right moment" for attaching handles? This is something,
> which, as a beginner, I've been wondering for a time now.
Martin -
Handles should be attached as soon as the mug is stiff enough so that you
won't destroy it in attaching the handle - I suppose the designation would
be soft leather hard, although some people attach them even softer. You can
support the clay from the inside with your finger or a tool as you press the
handle in place at the top and bottom on the outside, in order to keep the
mug from distorting. This is one of the reasons why I like to pull my
handles separately and then attach them to the mugs. The handles stiffen
very slightly before you attach them, although they are still fully
flexible, but they support their shape without sagging. Cut the desired
attachment angle at the top of the handle, score, slurry, and attach them,
get the curve you want, cut the lower end to the desired angle, score and
slurry the contact, and attach, all without picking up the mug. A little
finger and sponge cleanup, and you are done.
I don't care for that sharp angle at the inside bottom of most mug handles.
For my own handles I like to lay a little piece of clay on the residual
slurry inside the lower end of the handle and work it with a length of 1/4"
dowel to produce a slight radius - it gives a stronger handle and a much
neater appearance in my opinion, and with practice it only takes a few
seconds longer to do this.
Best wishes -
- Vince
Vince Pitelka
Appalachian Center for Craft, Tennessee Technological University
Smithville TN 37166, 615/597-6801 x111
vpitelka@dtccom.net, wpitelka@tntech.edu
http://iweb.tntech.edu/wpitelka/
http://www.tntech.edu/craftcenter/
Martin Rice on wed 23 jun 04
Just wanted to send a not of thanks to Vince, Rick, and John Jensen for the
great advice they sent me about when (and even how) to attach mug handles. I
really appreciate it.
Martin
Santiago de Puriscal, Costa Rica
On 6/20/04 7:43 PM, "Vince Pitelka" wrote:
>> When is "just the right moment" for attaching handles? This is something,
>> which, as a beginner, I've been wondering for a time now.
>
> Martin -
> Handles should be attached as soon as the mug is stiff enough so that you
> won't destroy it in attaching the handle - I suppose the designation would
> be soft leather hard, although some people attach them even softer. You can
> support the clay from the inside with your finger or a tool as you press the
> handle in place at the top and bottom on the outside, in order to keep the
> mug from distorting. This is one of the reasons why I like to pull my
> handles separately and then attach them to the mugs. The handles stiffen
> very slightly before you attach them, although they are still fully
> flexible, but they support their shape without sagging. Cut the desired
> attachment angle at the top of the handle, score, slurry, and attach them,
> get the curve you want, cut the lower end to the desired angle, score and
> slurry the contact, and attach, all without picking up the mug. A little
> finger and sponge cleanup, and you are done.
>
> I don't care for that sharp angle at the inside bottom of most mug handles.
> For my own handles I like to lay a little piece of clay on the residual
> slurry inside the lower end of the handle and work it with a length of 1/4"
> dowel to produce a slight radius - it gives a stronger handle and a much
> neater appearance in my opinion, and with practice it only takes a few
> seconds longer to do this.
> Best wishes -
> - Vince
>
> Vince Pitelka
> Appalachian Center for Craft, Tennessee Technological University
> Smithville TN 37166, 615/597-6801 x111
> vpitelka@dtccom.net, wpitelka@tntech.edu
> http://iweb.tntech.edu/wpitelka/
> http://www.tntech.edu/craftcenter/
>
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