I often like my pottery to have different interior and exterior glazes. Pouring the inside glaze is simple, while the outside glaze application is more finicky. I needed a method to securely grip the pot’s exterior while dipping it into the glaze, ensuring a smooth application without noticeable marks. 

So, I made tongs that can grip the outside of the pot securely enough to dip it into a tub of glaze. Using ordinary kitchen tongs as a base, I flattened the ends, drilled six holes into each end, then drilled screws through the holes to create the gripping points (1). Arranged in a diamond pattern, these screws ensure that, regardless of the pot’s shape, about three points make contact with each side of the vessel’s exterior, adapting to various configurations securely (2). 

1 Drill six screws through each flattened end of the tongs. 2 Use the screw points to securely grip vessels for dipping.

What I love about this technique is the bubble that forms inside the pot when it’s dipped face down. This bubble acts as a shield, preserving the inner glaze while facilitating an even coating along the rim. 

Additionally, I’ve found that this method allows me to make the most of smaller quantities of glaze. The slender design of the tongs enables them to fit into narrow containers (3), while the interior bubble displaces glaze, stretching its use. With each dip, the glaze level rises, maximizing the efficiency of even modest amounts. 

3 The slender design of this gripping mechanism allow for dipping into narrow containers of small amounts of glaze.

Topics: Functional Pottery, Making Clay Tools

Related Content