Kathy McDonald on mon 2 aug 04
plea to Sam the Cat Lady if yer there!
-----Original Message-----
From: Kathy McDonald [mailto:potter@westman.wave.ca]
Sent: Monday, August 02, 2004 6:52 AM
To: Clayart
Subject: Summertime Blues: The steps involved in making a mug: and a
plea to Sam the Cat Lady if yer there!
I am about to return to the craft/artfair circuit
for a bit this summer. I love the blues and I have
taken a booth space at a local music festival to
demo and sell. Takes the blues to get me outa my studio
in the summer!!!
Back some years "Sam the Cat Lady" had put together
an eloquent list of the steps involved in producing a mug.
This fair is interactive and I used to have this list laminated
and posted at my booth at craft fairs, so that the public could read it.
I haven't done any fairs for
years and I've misplaced it, (and changed computers a couple of times).
Soooooooo if you are there Sam , or if anyone has that list, I would
really appreciate getting it.
Thanks in advance.
Kathy
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Maid O'Mud on tue 3 aug 04
plea to Sam the Cat Lady if yer there!
I've been lurking for a while, but I'm still here :-)
I first posted this in 1997 (gosh, has it really been that long????),
so many of you have seen it before. It has been modified over the
years as my techniques/circumstances change.
This is intended to educate purchasers -
and as a tongue-in-cheek for fellow potters. Enjoy!
What Goes Into Making a Mug??
(so glad you asked!!)
1. Pick up clay - 7 hour round trip in ideal conditions. OR pay $$$$
to get it delivered.
2. Unload truck - 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 to kiln in the and fire to ~1800 F - about 15 hours.
14. Take mug back to the studio for glazing. If mug has
cracked during 1st firing, discard and write off.
15. Mix glaze(s). Each glaze requires 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. This can be a quick dip - or an
elaborate design
taking an hour or more to create.
18. Let mug dry thoroughly.
19. Bring mug back to the kiln and place gently within the kiln.
If glaze scratches or gets bumped on journey, wash with
hot water, let dry, and start back at step 13.
20. Fire glazed mug to approx 2150F; approximately 24-28 hours
depending on electricity demands.
21. Hold at peak temperature for approx. 20 minutes. Make
sure all shelves reach the same temperature (cone); then slowly
fire down.
22. Wait around 14 hours for kiln to cool to under 350F
before opening.
23. Remove and check mug. If cracked, write off. Start over
at step one.
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 bite off
the head of 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
- 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
- re-cycle clay trimmings
- attend conferences
- read clayart
- answer questions where appropriate
- pay Ontario Hydro
Thank you for your time and attention.
Feel free to copy and modify for your own studio use
> -----Original Message-----
>
> I am about to return to the craft/artfair circuit
> for a bit this summer. I love the blues and I have
> taken a booth space at a local music festival to
> demo and sell. Takes the blues to get me outa my studio
> in the summer!!!
>
> Back some years "Sam the Cat Lady" had put together
> an eloquent list of the steps involved in producing a mug.
>
> This fair is interactive and I used to have this list laminated
> and posted at my booth at craft fairs, so that the public could read it.
>
> I haven't done any fairs for
> years and I've misplaced it, (and changed computers a couple of times).
>
> Soooooooo if you are there Sam , or if anyone has that list, I would
> really appreciate getting it.
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> Kathy
You're welcome :-))))
Sam Cuttell
Maid O'Mud Pottery
RR 1
Melbourne, Ontario
N0L 1T0
CANADA
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