tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6961789.post-1113061496814870502005-04-09T09:47:00.001-05:002008-04-07T00:56:22.742-05:002008-04-07T00:56:22.742-05:00This is the sort of mug that I think of when I think about what a soda fired mug is. Warm, rich coloration from the flashing. Orange peel texture built up on the high points.<br /><br /><a href="http://sodafired.com/portfolio/tableware/"><img src="http://potteryblog.com/soda%20fired%20dimpled%20mug.jpg" /></a><br /><br />This is also a soda fired mug:<br /><a href="http://www.cafepress.com/john_norris.14094346?zoom=yes#zoom"><img style="width: 240px; height: 240px;" src="http://potteryblog.com/soda%20mug.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://radio.weblogs.com/0114670/stories/2002/11/05/theBestOfJohnnorris.html">John Norris</a> has come up with this hilarious idea. It's a standard, industrial produced mug with the <a href="http://radio.weblogs.com/0114670/2004/10/07.html">IMAGE </a>of soda firing wrapped around it. It's the "perfect" soda mug.<br /><br />I enjoy the cleverness of this, but it also helps remind me what I'm doing making handmade pots in a world of industrial pots. Making something that is beautiful in surface <span style="font-style: italic;">and</span> form; designing a form that is not only visually pleasing, but ergonomic. And perhaps most importantly, making a human connection between the maker and the user.<br /><br />I came upon this essay, <a href="http://www.politicalmammal.com/blog/2005/3/6/potters-the-values-of-craftsmen-and-living-true-to-self.html">"Potters, the Values of Craftsman, and Living True to Self"</a> by Nathaniel Pearlman on his blog:<a href="http://www.politicalmammal.com/"> Political Mammal</a>, and I encourage you to read it. It puts into words another reason why potters make.Emily Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02405853235523900054noreply@blogger.com