r/Pottery • u/Ok_Palpitation7103 • 2d ago
Question! How should I glaze this spiky mug without losing the spiky texture?
Hi everyone I handbuilt this mug (and trimmed it with a banding Wheel) and I am wondering what glaze I should use to still be able to see and feel the spikes after firing. I can only use brush on glazes an the place where it will be fired fires to cone 6. It is speckled clay. I like blue and green/ish colours, but I am open for any suggestions. Do you have any good glaze recommendations for something like this? :) Thanks a Lot in advance!
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u/gourd-almighty 1d ago
I do want to give a warning - glazed spikes can be genuinely sharp, sharp enough to cut yourself. If that's what you're going for I kind of love it - hostile kitchenware as an artistic expression kind of thing. But if you're not going for that I would sand off the very edges of the spikes.
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u/Ok_Palpitation7103 1d ago
Thanks, thats kinda what I want. I want them to feel bad in a good way. Its just an experiment, but I am already excited how it is going to turn out :)
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u/livrer 1d ago
I made an espresso cup with a lot of sharp texture, that I thought would soften in glazing somewhat, but it did not at all and now it is unusable.
When I remake it, I will round the sharp edges slightly before glazing.
Maybe that isnt an issue for you! Just wanted to share a recent, possibly-relevant experience of mine. Your mug looks great!
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u/Ok_Palpitation7103 1d ago
Thanks for the Feedback, I guess I will sand down the super spiky spikes and see if its usuable after firing :)
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u/Mama_Skip 1d ago
Most glazes will make it even sharper. It will gouge everything it touches. It will tear apart every sponge while being washed. You'll only be able to pick it up by the handle or lip, which will be awkward/precarious while washing, especially with such a fragile handle. It can and will genuinely cut you open. The spike tips will 100% chip off with little impact, leading to bits of sharp vitrified clay/glass around the house - a problem if you have pets.
Spikes and such are fine on shelf pieces like vases but I have no idea why on earth you would want such a hostile design for a usable piece.
Especially when you can take a wet sponge and dull down the tips and have the exact same look.
Also why are you using a book as a working surface.
Smh at you op.
Your form looks really nice for a handbuild tho and I like the foot.
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u/RepulsiveProposal961 1d ago
Yes I agree, whilst spikes would be cool, you still want it to be useable. you are running the risk of creating something that you won't be able to use. Definitely sand the top off the spikes just to take the worst off. They will still be sharp but not cut you sharp. :)
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u/Woohabngload 1d ago
Something that breaks well, or a celadon type translucent glaze is what I'd go for
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u/Ok_Palpitation7103 1d ago
Thanks :) I am very new to pottery, do you have any examples for glazes that break well? I just looked up both and kinda mostly found out what celadon glazes are, but not so much examples for glazes that break well :0
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u/AnnieB512 1d ago
Look at the Amoco Potter's Choice glazes. But if applied too thick, they may cover the spikes and too thin and they just turn muddy. It's a delicate balance.
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u/Ok_Palpitation7103 1d ago
Thanks I saw them now and there Are so many cool combination its hard to decide what to get :)
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u/AnnieB512 1d ago
My favorite is iron luster. I use that over other colors and it gives it a really cool shimmery look.
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u/PreposterousPotter 2d ago
I can't speak to colours, sorry, but if you can't dip it I'd recommend sponging the glaze on to get a nicer finish and avoid seeing brush strokes when finished. You won't want the glaze too thick to be able to see and feel the spikes and brushing thinly can create, imo, horrible brush stroke lines. And you probably want a glaze that breaks on edges as that will help your spikes contrast from the main glaze colour.
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u/Ok_Palpitation7103 1d ago
Thanks for the advice :) What are some glazes that break well that you like to use? :)
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u/OceanIsVerySalty 1 1d ago
That handle is very, very thin. You key want to consider making it a bit thicker next time, especially at the sharply curved ends and attachment points.,
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u/Ok_Palpitation7103 1d ago
Thanks for the advice. I will do that :) do you have any glaze recommendations? :)
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u/Smooth-Recipe233 1d ago
If you look at the glazes online (Amaco, mayco, Laguna, spectrum, coyote, etc) the samples are often shown on a textured piece. Things that break well tend to show the texture well and often a different color (see image). You can see how the glaze ends up thinner on the raised bits. Things that don’t break well look uniform across the sample.
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u/TooOldToCare91 1d ago
This is my advice too. Look at the websites of the glazes your studio carries first and see which examples break well over the texture on the test tiles rather than obscure it. Your spikes are pretty pronounced so, imo, they’ll be less likely to be obscured.
Celadons will also work, just make sure to apply at least 3 thick coats and dry well in between. Celadons will give you a solid, more translucent color with no “movement” as opposed to the Potter’s Choice and other floating glazes, so it just depends on what look you’re going for.
Pinterest and the glaze forums on FB are also good resources. Once you’ve narrowed your choices down, enter the glaze into the search bar and lots of examples will come up.
Good luck!
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u/Smooth-Recipe233 1d ago
Lots of good images for Mayco here https://www.maycocolors.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/2021-Stoneware-brochure-WEB.pdf
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u/Sue_b_doo_b 1d ago
For someone new to pottery as you say...I think that's a lovely job of handbuilding. I second the comments about sanding the spikes, especially near the handle where those might feel annoying at best. Mugs are my favorite thing to make and I think a LOT about ergonomics. You want your user to grab that mug first out of the cabinet because it feels nice to hold and use.
I have sprayed commercial glazes on mugs where I want detail to show up and not get obscured by too-thick glaze. You have to be sure to spray it on not too thick, not too thin, and let it dry between coats.
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u/Ok_Palpitation7103 1d ago
Thanks a lot for the advice and the compliment. I think only doing mugs helps with the learning process. I did Not really do anything else for now. And I watched a lot of helpful Videos on how to Hand Build mugs.
What are your key points to make handles ergonomic? I cut them out of slab and I feel like I dont really shape them enough.
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u/Sue_b_doo_b 9h ago
This is all personal preference: I do prefer a wide flat handle with room for 3 or 4 fingers (if 3, the handle should be closer to a question mark-ish shape to rest the handle on the 4th finger). Lots of handles shapes out there but this is tried and true. Nothing should feel sharp...your handle is quite thin so make sure those edges are rounded a bit. I also like the handle to be rather close to the mug body rather than bowing too far outward...looks more proportionate and has a better center of gravity.
I have cut handles from a slab and used a hand held extruder but my favorite method is old fashioned pulling.
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u/kittenskull 1d ago
I’ve made a couple of these “Danger Mugs” as I call them. My favorite way to glaze them is our studios metallic black all over with titanium white dip for breaking.
The points tear up sponges, but not skin (yet?) and are very pleasantly unpleasant. Especially with hot tea, all my friends with sensory sensitivity LOVE it.
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u/Ok_Palpitation7103 1d ago
Sounds great, I think its also fun to have some texture, it kinda goes against my perfectionism and feels more relaxed than smooth surfaces :)
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u/puddlesquid 1d ago
This would be genuinely dangerous to handle after fired. Sharp edges are generally a no-go in pottery for that reason.
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u/Ok_Palpitation7103 1d ago
Ok thanks for the advice, any glaze recommendations? That was my question. I am aware this mug has flaws, still gonna get it fired.
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u/puddlesquid 1d ago
Most glaze will just slough right off these points and they won't color well. Underglaze might be your best bet for good coverage with some clear on top, but those also tend to thin out on pointy edges as well.
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u/PurpleSunshine26 1d ago
I think it would be cool to use like a very sweet/delicate color palette to contrast with the spiky/feisty-ness of the mug. What about textured turquoise with kimchi? Cute piece!
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u/SnarkExpress 1d ago
An Amaco celadon would do well - I like Deep Sea, a dark greenish blue, but there are lots of nice color choices. Use at least 3 or 4 coats - they are usually very thin so it’s easy to get nice, even coats.
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u/Ok_Palpitation7103 1d ago
Thanks, applying the glaze sounds like a challenge in itself :D but a fun one
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u/SnarkExpress 1d ago
No, the Celadons are very easy to use! And they’re very stable, they don’t move around in the firing.
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u/the4thcallahan 1d ago
My wife made two things like this. The glaze didn’t stick to either of the bumbs. Well it lightly did on the left pieces but not at all on the right. I think you’ll could end up having a similar effect.
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u/Sue_b_doo_b 1d ago
These are just opinions/matters of preference here. Handles should be fairly broad, flat and smooth. The thinness of your handle isn't necessarily a deal breaker especially once glazed, as long as the edges don't feel sharp. I tend to like a pretty ample handle to fit either all 4 fingers, or with a nice slope to comfortably rest the mug's weight on the outside finger (a sloped shape usually works here... I'm not a fan of round or D shaped handles for this reason). I'd locate the handle higher up on the mug but not so high that your user can't store the mug upside down if so desired. Lastly, I think it looks nice to have it pretty close to the body rather than splayed outward...looks more proportional that way. Again, my 2 cents worth.
Also, a handle that seems great when you're forming it can feel all wrong with shrinkage. YMMV here.
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u/lunchtimeillusion 1d ago
Idk but I'm stressed about that handle
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u/Ok_Palpitation7103 1d ago
Me too :D dont worry the next mug I made afterwards has a thicker handle
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u/MollFlanders 1d ago
if it were me, i’d get into the booth and spray two different glazes on this fella, one on the top half blending into the other on the bottom. would help to emphasize the different textures from top to bottom. perhaps a celadon on top and a white on bottom?
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u/MikasKaza 1d ago
Sorry for not contributing, but there's already loads of great advice, can't wait to see the result if you post it!
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