Boys Don't Chai

curved mug, angled handle, pierced

Not For Sale Yet

Materials

• PSH Wax Resist Emulsion UWAX2
  A brushable, water-wax emulsion applied to bisque pots to resist glaze. The wax burns away during firing, so none is present in the finished piece.
• PSH cone 6 clay Black C540i
  Pigmented with non-toxic iron oxide. Fires to a deep brown/black, deeper black when sealed with a transparent glaze. Not recommended for microwave heating because of its iron oxide content.
• PSH Transparent Glaze GTR62
  Non-toxic (lead free) glossy transparent finish, creates a food-safe surface for the interior of mugs and bowls, adds a gloss and brings out the hue of the clay body when used as a sealant.
• PSH Black Matte Glaze GBKM2
  Non-toxic (lead free) matte black, suitable for the exterior of pots. Rigid and durable, but vulnerable to scratches. A slow-drying glaze for brushing.

Stages

• thrown: 2025-09-15 (waning crescent)
  A nice night at the studio listening to Cocteau Twins, throwing mud. I did not have any particular shapes in mind, I just pulled the clay around waiting to see what shape it wanted to be.
• trimmed: 2025-09-17 (waning crescent)
  Spun on the wheel to scrape down the thickness somewhat, and carve out a recessed foot.
• decorated: 2025-09-17 (waning crescent)
  Added an angled handle made from 7mm strip. Pierced the brim for a 10g ring.
• smoothed: 2025-09-19 (waxing crescent)
  A gentle rubdown of the unfired clay with sandpaper, to remove small nicks and texture caused by trimming and decoration.
• bisque fired: 2025-09-22 (waxing crescent)
  Heated to approx 1000°C, producing chemical changes in the clay so that it is less brittle, water-resistant, water-absorbant, and can accept a glaze coating.
• sanded: 2025-10-15 (waning crescent)
  A second sanding of the bisque-fired piece, with a finer grit, to ensure the surfaces are smooth before applying glaze.
• glazed: 2025-10-28 (waxing gibbous)
  Foot is sealed with wax, then the piece was brushed with glaze.