A Mug Story
The potter's predicament: making and attaching handles is difficult. It takes time, years of practice and much skill to perfect. There are many ways to make handles but we use a very traditional method of pulling the handle 'blanks', attaching them to the mug body and then pulling them while attached to the body to create their final form. It's a very simple approach, but within the simplicity there is nowhere to hide - pure handmade craft. We need to dry these pieces slowly so that the clay dries evenly and doesn't crack at the joins. Time. Patience. Many years of practice. Isn't this what makes handmade pottery special?
Let me take you on a mug story...
The Tall Mug
One of the first mug forms we designed was our tall mug with a dipped glaze. We wanted to perfect throwing cylinders. We wanted to produce an archetypal mug - something simple. We wanted to glaze it in a way which could add expression but also take away the process of waxing the base. Our tall mug was born. Initially we pulled the handles and lay them to rest over a forma before attaching to the mug body, but over time we developed our skills, pulling the handle into shape once it was attached to the body, to create a more fluid, symbiotic piece. This mug was born in 2016 - little did we know we'd still be making them all these years on! Ironically, because the form is so simple, they're super tricky to get right - this piece has taught us so many lessons in making.
The Rounded Mug
Initially we designed this mug for Toast, and it has since become a bit of a favourite. I often drink herbal tea from this form, but I've heard that it is super if you like cappuccino. Also hot chocolate with plenty of marshmallows.
Curved Mug, Flecked Clay
£38.00
Attaching handles to mugs
The Tapered Mug
The Tapered Mug is a design we have developed over the last 12 months - it has a little more subtlety, detail and intention than some of our other mug forms, with a gently tapered shape and carefully placed handle. We've made them in 250ml and 350ml. This is one of my favourite pieces because they epitomise many values we place in our work - simple, well crafted, elegant and quiet.
The Espresso Cup
Goodness knows why it has taken us so long to design an espresso cup! We made these for Father's Day this year and they have become a cherished part of our collection so quickly.
The Tea Bowl
Whilst not strictly speaking a mug, I wanted to add our tea bowl to this story, because I am repeatedly told by our customers that this is such a good vessel for flat whites. It's one of our earliest designs, it seems to endure because of its simplicity and versatility.
Cup, Flecked Stoneware
£34.00
“Time. Patience. Many years of practice. Isn’t this what makes handmade pottery special? ”