Mugs and Handles Pottery Demonstration Wheel Throwing

[MinaNobody]

gorgeous shapes, you did them so fast! Thanks for the vinegar tip, I'll keep it in mind. ^.^

[luis36406]

its hard to pull it up :/ i cant do that :/

[1001001011011001]

@luis36406 he makes it look so ridiculously easy XD

[KayLodahl1]

Great teaching video... I am inspired..

[Dean600]

great demo; you're so right, use vinegar ; I had many handles crack and come off;( using a porcelain clay -which shrinks 14% !) do you let the glaze fill up the tiny space between the very edge of the handle and the mug? beautiful shapes, Thanks .

[Dean600]

great demo; you're so right, use vinegar ; I had many handles crack and come off;( using a porcelain clay -which shrinks 14% !) do you let the glaze fill up the tiny space between the very edge of the handle and the mug? beautiful shapes, Thanks .

[Ms2poodles]

Thank you for sharing your experience with us beginners. Really appreciate it!

[dannyodon]

Brill video! How do you stop your handles twisting in the kiln?

[grace0677]

I love your videos, on centering you explained so well that I actually can see where I am screwing up..thanks so much! I will as I continue to learn watch how you do things. It is very informative and helpful! You are a great teacher man!

[maryams620]

love love your videos!! i have a questions tho.. why do u use vinegar and not water or slip ?

[timseepots]

@maryams620 Slip shrinks and cracks can show up when it dries because it shrinks. The vinegar through some complex acid electrolyte voodoo magic sticks the clay better than water.

[KYPresto]

Nicely done. Thank you for sharing.

[hellooasher]

i love you! you've definitely helped me with all your tips and tricks :) thanks!!

[WrastlinCoach]

so..... why vinegar? why not just water?

[silliegirl50]

How do you do your fingers when you raise your mugs?

[silliegirl50]

How do you bring up your tall mug?

[timseepots]

@silliegirl50 There are videos on the throwing process check out my website to find the videos easier.

[cagoodie2shus]

Thank you Tim, all of your videos have been so helpful and down to earth learning! You are definitely one of my favorite potter to watch on youtube when it comes to understanding good basic technique. Thank you kind sir!

[MrMistersMom]

It would be a bigger help if you just slowed down a little bit so we could actually see the process. Not all of us can or want to throw that fast...

[sasusakuXamutoXkutau]

Really loved watching your demo. Going to try your lovely mugs as soon as I can.

[jacquiallard]

Dang! You're so fast it looks like the video is fast forwarded. Just ordered my wheel can't wait to try.

[potter2321]

Great to see a really competent potter at work. Thank you for giving us the chance to see how simple you make it look - inspires us - maybe one day we'll be half as good!

[rustytabitha]

Hello, thank you I ffound it helpful to watch as my handles very often let my mugs down. Great help, thanks! Mandy

[timseepots]

There is a handle video too.

[CalobTv]

Nice! Im learning right now in college :) How do you make the handles so neat?

[timseepots]

try not to playing with them till they are hard. or hard enough not to leave fingerprints.

[logan668]

@CalobTv lot's and lot's of practice. i spent an entire summer on mugs just so i'd make myself pull handles over and over. eventually something clicks and you start making nice handles. keep practicing!

[NancyToday]

how long did you let it dry before adding the handle?

[timseepots]

till you no longer see finger prints in the clay.

[LakemaryDeuce]

Your videos have helped me improve on the wheel a lot,thank you!

[MarksPottery]

Why vinegar instead of water?

[timseepots]

its makes the clay better friends some acid chemical mumbo jumbo

[Rafaelchocolate1]

It(He,She) hurts that there do not exist videoes of this quality in Spanish, the ceramists or Spanish-speaking potters do not take charge doing it, or it(he,she) is that they are a bit selfish, Gracias

[crazyanimator115]

you're awesome! i used to do pottery, and now i want to do it again! too bad i don't have a pottery set :'( ....oh well. do you do this for a living?

[yukidesigner]

hello, what clay are you using to throw for these mugs??

[timseepots]

that looks like 250 which is a raku clay that can be fired to cone 13 with nice results.

[tumalofalls]

Hi, Tim. Absolutely love your videos! You provide great directions and techniques; very straight-forward and easy to understand. Also, great tip about the vinegar. This video on making 3 different mug types and handle attachments was just what I was looking for. Question - how long do you let the pots dry before attaching the handles? and what about the handles - how much time to let them set up before application to pots? I'd appreciate your response, thanks!

[timseepots]

Its not so much about how long you need to let them dry its about how dry they are. the mugs need to be trimmed before you add a handle. So they need to be as dry as you need them to trim. The handles I try to use when I can no longer leave finger prints at the bottoms of the handles.. wait too much longer and they will crack as you bend them.

[nottonite]

Thanks for the "lessons". Everytime I am struggling with something I go to your vids to learn how to do something. Cannot do pulled handles to save my hide!

[yiziee]

Hello when you cut the cup and take of the board doesn't the cup break in your hands as it is fresh?

and an other question pls for the trimming the extra clay do you do that immediately or do you let it dry a little?

Thankyou and keep up the good videos

[timseepots]

A outside surface scraped of slip and nice clean hands allow yo pick them up without complications. as for trimming it is done after the clay has had time to dry to leather hard.

[hels55]

Gotta tell you - I'm just starting out and have a treadle wheel right now but holy cow, you do these fast..!!! Something to aim for!

Looking forward to checking out some of your other videos - thanks!

Helen

[nancyalroy]

Thanks so much Tim. As you are so nice to answer my question, I have tons more. Firstly, what kind of bats do you use? I'd like to order some while I'm in the US in March (I live in Israel). Thanks, Nancy

[nancyalroy]

I'd like to know why vinegar, too! And is it diluted or straight out of the bottle? White vinegar, rice, wine, which one? Thanks, great videos!

[timseepots]

I mix it fifty fifty with 90%rubbing alcohol, white i think. You can use any acidic liquid lemon juice orange juice... do an experiment try attaching three handles one with vinegar one with slip one with water and one with bleach ok four dry them all the same and see which stays on the best.

[asianx7]

why vinegar? does it work better than slip?

[timseepots]

Vinegar doesn't shrink and crack as does liquid clay.

[planetadams]

Thanks Tim. I am in the handle making learning curve. This really helps!! Great job!

[emeraldile]

I'm really enjoying your videos and will probably watch as many as possible on this blustery rainy LA day. I have a couple of questions: What clay are you using and how much shrinkage do you get? I've been firing at cone 10 and found about 30% size reduction. If that's the case, would you still use just over a pound for a decent mug, or would you increase the amount? My mugs are coming out the right size for a four year old...

[timseepots]

It really might only be shrinking 12- 16% there are ways you can measure it. make a 10 centimeter bar and measure it after its dry and after the final firing. But you do need to compensate for shrinkage in the throwing process if you find one pound too small add a 1/4 pound and dry those,

[sprucemoose22]

thank you so much for all your videos, they've answered a lot of my questions xx cheers!!

[Fender9117]

Hey thanks for all the amazing teachings in ceramics! youre frickin good!!!!

But I have a question... How are you centering your pots before you trim them? the way i've been taught is very different and takes forever! if you could help me out that would be great!

Thanks!

Patrick in Portland Oregon

[timseepots]

I do what is called tap or bump centering. I believe I have a trimming video and if You cannot find one let me know and I will make one for you.

[Fender9117]

I cant seem to find it :-/

[lump2345]

thanks for the help! sexy accent r u canadian

[timseepots]

Nope I am American.. but a sexy accent? c'mon its just those awesome mugs.

[lump2345]

oh i see you're from syracuse. well, the western ny accent is kind of like a canadian accent watered down.

[KusoGaki1986]

"c'mon its those awesome mugs"

HAHAHAH

[wphlea]

good instruction, you make it look so easy. Are your handles very hard when you attach them, or is the clay still quite "floppy"? Is there a problem if you use moist handles on leather hard cups?

[susanjvaughn]

Tim, I'm learning so much from your videos. Would you consider doing one on large casseroles with various handles and lids? Thanks!

janie in Colorado

[timseepots]

I will put that on my todo list.

[robsparty78]

yeah handles are what i need to work on more as well

[jacksaccount]

Thank you for posting these videos. it's nice to see you putting your handles on. Handles are something I really need to work on.

[mllizon]

great video, thanks for sharing that. Your commentary is great, your skill amazing, you did it so fast!

[gutaraneko]

awesome vidoes.  Thanks so much

[goofball18]

Hey Tim do you have any other designs for mugs?

[timseepots]

The designs are limitless. I start creating a design by looking how a mug is used. You can do the same thing. get a few mugs and pick them up hold them fill and empty them and pick the qualities that you like in a mug and remove the elements that you disagree with and you have a new design that works for you.

[bev6886]

hi tim...i love watching you throw...my idol !! when attaching a handle...is the cup leather -hard and the handle newly made (wet) or are both leather -hard? thx...bev in fla.

[timseepots]

I like a leather hard mug and a handle that has dried long enough that it is hard to put finger prints on it. (but not too dry that the bottom of the handle isnt so stiff that it wont bend or wont press into the mug.

[airhead9222]

cool very nice!!

[jaencee]

Tim...Great Video. Do you use the vinegar on all your handles? Thanks...Jim Brown

[timseepots]

Well Just a week ago I was trying to fix a problem with leaking in some of my pourers that were unglazed so I used slip with vinegar, pieces were falling off like dead leaves made some more with just alcohol and vinegar and on as tight as could be I use the mix to stick everything together every clay every piece no problems.

[jaencee]

Tim, Up till I saw your video I've been using slip. Took a Folk Clay Class and they introduced me to Magic Water. I've never had any problems with the slip other than cleaning around the joint. I like your method because there is no build up around the handle attachment. How much alcohol (rubbing I assume, not Barcardi Limon..ha)do you mix to the vinegar. I just used vinegar straight to fix a crack in greenware and it closed it up nicely with no problems ...thanks for your time...Jim Brown

[capabel1]

can you post the ratio of water / vinegar / alcohol you use to make your mix? I have made cups in the past and the thick cracking seem of the handles make them look horrible.

[timseepots]

A start is fifty/fifty alcohol/vinegar 90% rubbing, which has water in it and the vinegar is watery. the alcohol will evaporate off first so adding a bit now and then will keep it even. Tim

[barabi51]

Very informative and helpful. I hadn't heard before of using vinegar.

[wongkarloon]

VERY NICE BUT WHY USE VINEGAR?

[kruklena]

Hi Tim, wow - you are a fast and skilled thrower! and good at teaching as well. The vinegar was new to me - excellent! Thanks! /Lena

[liamg1995]

Thank you =-)

[liamg1995]

Are you using porcelain for these mugs?

[timseepots]

It is a smooth white cone 6, not translucent though. number 66 i think.

[liamg1995]

Another good thing to do with handles is to attach them at the top of the mug just like you did, but then to do a fish tail on the other end of the handle by smearing the clay of the handle twards the bottom at an amgle and then removing what's left over.

good potting!

Liam

[redneckhippychick]

Tim- What a cool video... Most helpful!

Just Learning here in Roswell, alien city- New Mexico. PS.. WHere can I get a styrofoam Stick of Doom- I have teen agers and I am always open to new forms of "encouragement"

Thanks S

[timseepots]

You need to make one of your own. mine is a baseball bat with thin layer of stryo. =)

[femrider1]

Tim

Wonderful...clear and very informative

Thanks for sharing your love of clay

femrider1

[chocltbaby]

very helpful video, Tim. Thanks! I'm especially anxious to try the vinegar tip to see if prevents the cracks. I'm all out of white vinegar, I assume apple cider vinegar will do just as well? Vinegar is vinegar, right? It's either that or balsamic!

[timseepots]

I wouldnt use balsamic unless you were making a salad. it will prevent the small cracks.

[jbridge337]

thanks tim...wonderful comprehensive video!

[bottlewasher37]

WooHoo!!!! Now that's a video!

Thanks for tips. I'm going to try the vinegar for bonding as I have had some problems using slip...awesome :0

[timseepots]

Well I am glad I could make someone maybe.

[LastHorsePottery]

Tim, you are my teacher. I am so grateful to you for creating all your pottery videos. You are my help and my inspiration. I wish you every success in your endeavors.

Carol

Mason, TX

[timseepots]

I couldn't be your teacher I haven't hit you with the Styrofoam stick of doom. thank you for your kind words. I wish you luck If you have videos of throwing post them. Tim

[LastHorsePottery]

I would feel fortunate if I were close enough for you to whack me. I know I would be learning so much. I am no where near good enough to post a video --- but maybe someday, if I keep watching you!

Carol

Mason,TX

[dutch803]

Great video, I will try vinegar, I now use magic water and it seems to work well and it's easy to make. Your work is excellent, thanks for sharing.

Thanks from Titusville, Florida where it's cold and windy this morning....

[teriberi1960]

would you ever use slip to attach handles etc., if so, how do you make it?

Thanks for great videos!!!

[timseepots]

Nope never slip shrinks makes small cracks.

[timseepots]

that was my cave man answer

[csm58]

Yay Tim...thanks for your diligence in posting and the love you show other potters by sharing so freely...you're awesome...c u on clayart and pb..peace

"THE" clayslingingmama

[claymoma]

Tim, your video's are always so informative I really learn alot from you. I just Wish you would put more on !!

Warm regards from Debbie in Florida !

[timseepots]

More of what... let me know I have run out of ideas. I could do dancing videos or of my fish kermit he loves the camera.

[credenza1]

What do you mean by "drinking edge"?

Thanks, Tim.

[timseepots]

An edge that feels good in the mouth allows a seal to form and is not too thin that it chips.

[pmcdougald]

Excellent work, very informative. Keep up the good work.

Are you available to answer specific questions and or provide specific videos, for example casseroles and fitting lids to casseroles.

Thanks very much,

Peter

[timseepots]

Why are there such issues with casseroles... I will see what I can scrape up.

[cobaltcarbon8]

Great to watch you throw as always.

Cheers, Andrew.

[offcenteredpotter]

do you mix alcohol with the vinegar, or just straight vinegar? And you use white vinegar?

Thanks for the video!

[timseepots]

I usually mix alcohol but i have left my vinegar mix open for a week or two now its just vinegar.

[isarkiesel]

Hi Tim

great as all your vids!!!

What makes the difference between water and vinegar?

Gernot

[timseepots]

Vinegar has the a way of breaking up the clay particles so when the dry they stick together better. there are much more technical answers to that but its the way i think of it.

[cobaltcarbon8]

Put a couple drops of Vinegar in your murky clay water and you'll see.

Vinegar changes the PH. instead of the clay particles repelling each other, they want to cling together.

[StellaTIJ]

Nice vid, I like those shapes!