After being immersed in the ceramics world for as many years as I have been, it amazes me when I come across something I haven't seen before. Just such a thing happened when I was flipping through the pages of Linda Bloomfield and Sue Pryke's Design and
Create Contemporary Tableware (now available in the CAN Shop!).
In today's post, an excerpt from the aforementioned book, you''ll learn how Jessica Thorn uses a blue-stained slip as a joining slip on a slab-built mug and jug. It's a simple idea but the results are brilliant. I just love how it looks like the blue-slipped
interior is leaking out through the joints. And it is such a beautiful way to show the process! –Jennifer Poellot Harnetty, editor
Image 1 Forming a tapered cylinder around a bottle covered in newspaper.
Image 2 Forming a spout on a jug.
Image 3 Scoring the edges of the slab.
Image 4 Applying blue colored slip.
Image 5 Joining the edges together.
Image 6 Scoring the edge of the base.
Image 7 Trimming the domed base formed in a press mold.
Image 8 Applying blue slip to the edge.
Image 9 Attaching the base.
Image 10 Scraping away excess slip using a metal kidney rib.
Image 11 Finished mug by Jessica Thorn. Slab-built porcelain, glazed with a transparent glaze on the inside and diamond polished on the outside. Photo: Jess Hand
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Published Jul 15, 2024
In today's post, an excerpt from the aforementioned book, you''ll learn how Jessica Thorn uses a blue-stained slip as a joining slip on a slab-built mug and jug. It's a simple idea but the results are brilliant. I just love how it looks like the blue-slipped interior is leaking out through the joints. And it is such a beautiful way to show the process! –Jennifer Poellot Harnetty, editor
Image 1 Forming a tapered cylinder around a bottle covered in newspaper.
Image 2 Forming a spout on a jug.
Image 3 Scoring the edges of the slab.
Image 4 Applying blue colored slip.
Image 5 Joining the edges together.
Image 6 Scoring the edge of the base.
Image 7 Trimming the domed base formed in a press mold.
Image 8 Applying blue slip to the edge.
Image 9 Attaching the base.
Image 10 Scraping away excess slip using a metal kidney rib.
Image 11 Finished mug by Jessica Thorn. Slab-built porcelain, glazed with a transparent glaze on the inside and diamond polished on the outside. Photo: Jess Hand
All process photos by Ben Boswell.
Unfamiliar with any terms in this article? Browse our glossary of pottery terms!
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