This video is a newly remade version of my old pinch cup handle video. In this video, I show how to make a handle using a “fake pulled” method. I learned this many years ago from the excellent potter, Sandi Pierantozzi- and she called it the “carrot slam” method. Which, is a great description. We start by making carrot shaped coils, which are tapered. Twist the coils periodically to keep them round. When finished rolling, we slam it down onto the table surface to flatten the back. Then, we shape using a sponge and water, and lifting the fat end at the same time to lengthen and stretch it. Once it is evened and thinned, we arch it on a plastic surface (we use a tray in class- but plastic bats are great too) then cover them with the cup for a night. When they become closer to leatherhard, then we will attach. Deciding on appropriate length and depth for the handles are critical in a good handle to cup proportion. Consider a handle which will be deep enough or far enough out from the side of the pot to accommodate the fingers easily without too much extra space. Keep the handle under the height of the rim, and cut the ends at angles to match to the sides of the pot. Slip, score, blend, and clean with a brush. Also, I show an optional addition of a coil on the top edge of each connection. I also show how to add a thumb and pinky rest, which not only can be pleasingly decorative, but quite functional in adding stability.
We are using Standard 153 stoneware in our class for this project. The only reason we are using stoneware is because I like the glazes we have in the classroom better for this project.
The previous videos in this series shows how students begin the pinch cup while plastic, and the second one show the extensive cleaning which we use for the leatherhard stage.
The first day video is available directly at: https://youtu.be/eheZTYC69ks
The second day video on cleaning is here: https://youtu.be/IAAiK_zet4k
For the great tools I used in the video (including the mudtools ribs and needle tools) check out this link to a live Googledoc I continually update with lots of my favorite tools on Amazon using my associate links! https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XbYPQjjJnHrQG5xyWGMHZkEcZj5N8VnUAbFZdJRrRmU/edit?usp=sharing
I made this video for my Ceramics II students at Mason High School. This is the first exercise (non-graded) that the kids do in clay for their Ceramics II class. They are building on skills they developed in level I, with the added complexity of added height, footring, and handle.
I am a public high school ceramics teacher at William Mason High School in Mason, Ohio. (Mason is currently the largest high school in Ohio!) As a potter, I have been working in clay for over 30 years, and I have been teaching for over 28 years, the past 20 have been specifically teaching high school ceramics. I love what I do! I have my own studio in my home basement, where I work on my personal pottery for my Etsy site; https://www.etsy.com/shop/KaransPotsAndGlass
I started my Youtube channel a few years ago, to make videos to help my students if they are absent and miss a demo, or if they would like to explore more advanced techniques independently. I have been amazed to reach such a wider audience than my own students!
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