Tuesday 24 March 2009

Slipware Jug Handles

I have been making some large Jugs with 6lbs of clay they are about 12" tall
and I have taken the opportunity to try different handle finishes.
I was going to write that,
I'm still not sure if I should use one handle design for all of my pots as a type of trade mark handle, but as I'm sat here thinking about it I don't think so.
Different shape pots require different handle fixings.
So that just puts this post to bed really because I was going to ask for your advise.
still I'm sure you might have some comment on this subject.












7 comments:

potterboy said...

I agree, but then all my handles come out different, not necessarily by choice...

The jug at the top (pics one and two) is a cracker - I've been trying to throw those bigger fuller shapes but not really getting there - they keep collapsing because they're too thin (base and where I've collared in), or I leave them a bit thicker and they're too heavy :(

cookingwithgas said...

nice- very nice....

Tracey Broome said...

I've been doing the same thing with mugs. Every mug I made last week had a different finish at the bottom, can't decide how I want them to look yet. I like the handle where you wiped off on each side at the bottom.

Hollis Engley said...

Paul, I tend to do the same handle all the time. I don't know if it's a trademark, but it certainly is the same. I should spend a week some time just making different kinds of handles. I love the looks of yours, though.

Peter said...

Paul, I'm struggling with the same thing, so am very interested, but my comments are spoken as a novice, rather than an expert.

My thoughts would be that the termination of the first handle works well.

I don't like the second handle from the back (but don't mind it so much from the side), it feels to me that you have taken it a wee bit too low and the smoothing of the bottom of the handle into the jug seems a little too cautious.

I like the third handle with the use of your mark. It looks confident, and the mark adds a nice accent.

The fourth handle worries me most as the very "blended" join looks fussed over.

The last one with the 3 thumb marks (??) is OK, but still slightly tentative.

Do you ever add a little fillet of clay to the inside of the bottom join to fair it into the jug? I'm not sure that many potters do that now, due to using strap handles rather than those with a rounder section, but it can look nice sometimes.

I hope you'll forgive my "direct" way of letting you know what I think, but... you did pop the question. Best Wishes to you, you do lovely pots, and I enjoy your blog. Peter

Paul Jessop said...

Thanks Peter, your honest opinions are most welcome.
I tend to try and use this blog as a kind of workmate in the workshop when you work on your own all day you don't get to talk stuff over with a fellow potter, so that's why I put out these questions. it's the discussion I would have had in the workshop if I was working with someone else. and the one thing you need from a friend is Honesty.

ang design said...

i don't know if this idea works for you but i try to make lines of work..so the handle would be unique to that style or line of work ..that way you still get the variety and the sameness within a range...

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