Whimsical Teapot and Cups

Figure A

Steps:

1. Sketch a pattern for the body of the teapot and the cups (figure A).

2. Cut a wedge of clay to prepare for throwing.

Figure B

3. Center the clay on the potter's wheel and pull a cylinder (figure B).

4. Release the cylinder from the wheel using a cut-off wire and squish the form into an oval.

Figure C

5. Place the pattern on the flattened cylinder and cut the edges using the wire. Pinch the sides together to seal (figure C).

Figure D

6. Throw several spouts (figure D).

7. Let the body stiffen to the soft leather hard stage.

Figure E

8. Roll a slab using a slab roller or rolling pin and affix to the bottom of the cylinder, then paddle (figure E).

Figure F

9. Enclose the top by stretching and bending the sides together. Compress with fingers (figure F).

10. Cut out the lid using a cut-off wire.

Figure G

11. Add the spout, handle and lifter to the teapot (figure G).

12. Let dry several days until bone-dry, bisque fire to cone 6.

Figure H

13. Using a paint bush, layer glazes in desired colors; then apply latex resist in random patterns (figure H).

14. Paint black glaze over the entire surface and then remove the latex resist with a needle tool.

15. Splatter the same black glaze over the entire surface.

16. Coat with a clear glaze and fire again to cone 6 or cone 10.

17. Follow the same steps for the cups.

E-mail: dkpotter@cox.net