Sodu Studio

Mugs patiently drying after having their handles attached. 🥰

These art deco inspired tape patterns were some of my first forays into the glaze resist technique. It's a time-consuming process, but I love the almost hidden detail of having a bowl with a design on the convex underside.

What do you think? Should I make more of these? 🤔

I'm continually experimenting with how illustrative or patterned design can compliment the form of a piece.

We're conditioned to think mugs with designs on them have a "front" and "back", which I presume comes from the constraints of mass-production.

When we go back to making things by hand, I think it's important to question why something is usually the way it is, and part of our job as makers is to interrogate whether it can be done differently.

This jellyfish mug has the focal point of the design on the 'side', which I hope encourages the user to examine it a bit closer.

What do you think? 🤔

What is the most challenging skill to learn in ceramics? Is it throwing on the wheel? Centering? Throwing a cylinder?

Personally for me, it's figuring how how to get a clean stamp impression on the bottom of my pots without any cracks. 😅

My top tips would be:

- Make sure the opposite side of whichever part of the clay you're stamping is well supported to prevent caving in and slumping.

- Find the 'sweet spot' of the clay body you're using. For most stoneware clays I find the ideal leather hard trimming stage is actually too firm for stamping, so after the bum is all trimmed and cleaned up I place a piece of paper towel on the intended area and spray it with water, allowing it to gently soak up without causing so much absorption it causes cracking in the surrounding area.

- I also really like the look of stamps inlaid with glaze. After bisque firing, use a brush to fill the stamped area and then carefully wipe away the excess glaze. You might have to do this a few times depending on the stamp depth.

If you also stamp your work, what are your top tips? 🤔