Just adding a few accents of colored flashing slips on this latest batch of stamped mugs. The slip colors will change dramatically when fired in the soda kiln… more colorful with flashing effects from the flames!

Handles attached… another batch of mugs made! I’m planning on soda-firing these in the future, so I think they might still need some colored flashing slips before I call them done & let them start drying.

Just pulled a bunch of handles… all lined up & almost ready to go. I’ve got to let them set-up a bit before I start attaching them to the mug cylinders. I want them to hold their shape, yet still be malleable… but not sticky or squishy!

Been busy stamping cylinders again… getting ready for another batch of mugs! My favorite thing to make! Each one stamped with a different clay stamp that I made myself. Handmade mugs need handmade stamps!!!

Finally got around to finishing up some class demo projects today. They’ve been under plastic for quite some time.., and I’ve had to spray them several times to keep them workable. But finally done & drying. Finally.

So I was spray painting some bisque the other day… as I have repeatedly for several years right around this time. It has always worked perfectly… but this time it peeled right off??? Wait, what??? Same paints. Same bisque. Same everything???

The only thing I can think of is that I didn’t give it enough time to dry between the layers of different two different paints. Because shortly after spraying the second layer… it all peeled off like a fine layer of gold leaf?!

So I peeled it all off like a bad sunburn, did some quick sanding… and spray painted again. This time with an “overnight” between layers of paint. And it looks perfectly good & sparkly!!! WHEW!!!

Handles attached… with plenty of time to spare before teaching class tonight!!!
This year’s Shamrock Mugs are now assembled and ready to start drying!
Wow… look at me way ahead of schedule!!! HA!!!

And in time for another Mugshot Monday!

The old-school traditional way. But then I like to loop them over onto themselves… so that the majority of the curve is already established as they start to stiffen up before attachment.

Lots of shamrocks popping up in the studio today! Well on my way to this year’s batch of Shamrock Mugs!!! Trimming & handles coming soon…

Little textured nuggets ready for a bisque kiln!