A customer at the market wanted a couple of mugs in a certain glaze for a gift and asked how long it would take. I said four weeks. I think she was surprised. Most people are. I've had people ask, "Will it be ready next week?" (hysterical laughing in the little bubble above my head) So, I thought of taking step by step pictures of the process of making mugs along with a timeline and explanation . I think some people might be interested, but I'm also thinking of how it might help me.
Christmas is when this time lag situation gets to be a problem. Actually four weeks from start to finish is faster than what I usually would quote. It just happens this time I almost had a kiln load's worth of pots waiting to bisque fire. I don't fire up the kiln just for a couple of mugs. I want it to be as packed as possible so I can get optimal use out of the electricity. If I have very few pots ready to fire it could be an additional couple of weeks added to that timeline.
I'm not sure how I'll present this "making mugs" write-up yet. I hope it can be a kind of educational tool to understand the process and the time involved. And why it costs more than a Walmart mug! We'll see. And those mugs? Almost ready to fire. They are loaded in the kiln but I detect slight dampness still. I have decided not to be an idiot and rush it.- Will wait another 24 hours to fire.
Hi Just checking in, found you from the post you left. Your work is lovely, enjoyed reading your posts. You have written about a lot of the same things I have in the past. Your Etsy shipping post was interesting, I have such a love hate thing with Etsy! Nice to find you, I'll put you up on my blog roll :)
ReplyDeleteHi Tracey,
ReplyDeleteI have to think of Etsy as a learning experience right now so I don't get too frustrated with it. I keep telling myself I'll figure out what I need to know eventually.
Hello, it,s SO nice to find you in my blog-roll, I don,t have much contact with fellow potters, just a few around the world in my blog. It,s very interesting thoug, the problems and joy is the same, wherever it is. Here in Norway the electricity is VERY expensive, espesially during the winter. It seems like many potters around the world has more than 1 electrical kiln-that will never happen here in my studio. So I also have to really filled it up, before firing.
ReplyDeleteYour plan and idea for a step-by-step info is really something to copy-thanks!
Greetings, Tone
Hi Tone,
ReplyDeleteI just came across your blog the other day and admired the pictures of your shop. I'll have to tell my friend from Norway about it. She'll enjoy checking it out.
My electric rates would not be considered high by most people, but I still feel wrong about wasting it with a loosely packed kiln.
I too try to have a full load and feel guilty if I don't fill it up. I never seem to have enough small things to fill up spots no matter how many I make, looking foward to your mug post and I find the etsy thing too frustrating - with over 100,000 items how does one find a person's pots and I also think pots look better in person to choose anyway.
ReplyDelete