1.13.2010

Sturdiness


Just like going to your closet to pick out something to wear for a night out on the town or just casual dress for dinner at Pizza Hut...
I have a mug for different occasions. Here is a mug by Mark Peters that is one of my favorite everyday mugs. I think I've had this mug for over 8 years. I love to drink out of it because it is so sturdy. If I have to drink my coffee on the way to school in the morning I know I can finish the cup and toss it on the passengers seat beside me. If I go around a curve and it falls to the floor, no problem, its sturdy and it will survive. I love that about a mug like this! Its also made in the wood kiln and I know that if I have to heat it up in the microwave, I won't burn my lip to shreds when it comes out. Have you ever noticed the difference between a mug that is low fire and is put in the microwave and one that is high fire? Big difference how it takes the heat when it comes out. Of course I buy mugs for how they look and who makes them. There is no way I would not purchase a great low-fire mug just because I feared the microwave, but I do have to admit, it wouldn't be one of my everyday sturdy mugs.

Today Mark's mug broke. So sad...it got knocked just so on the edge of the counter and unfortunately had to go meet its maker in the blue trash can.

I made mugs and tea bowls the other day. I was thinking about this sturdiness factor that I like while I was throwing. Sometimes I make dressed up mugs that are lighter than others but I think most of the time, my mugs are somewhere between dressy and sturdy. Maybe I'm going for that "going to the movie's" type of dress with my mugs.

I know one thing, time to give Mark a call about getting another mug.

9 comments:

claydancer said...

R.I.P. Even though I am a potter, I'm still sad when my favorite pieces, whether made by myself or others, finally bite the dust.

Gary's third pottery blog said...

oh, like an old friend!

Kari Weaver said...

I broke one of my faves a few weeks ago. I still find myself looking for it in the cupboard. Although I miss it and it can never be replaced, I relish the opportunity to fill the empty space with a new one. I've got my eye on a Shane Mickey.

Lori Buff said...

I'm sorry your mug broke, I know how sad that feels. You talk about things that set our work apart from mass produced goods. You know what to expect from this mug because you know so much about it, and you feel an attachment to it that you would not feel towards something that can easily be replaced by a trip to the local big box store.

Jen Mecca said...

So true..isn't that why we all love pots so much?

Linda Starr said...

so sorry about breaking your sturdy Mark Peters' mug. I didn't know the difference between heating low fire and wood fired mugs in the microwave, thanks for the info.

-Rob, Simple Circle Studios said...

Mark Peters lives in a blue trash can?

Mark Peters said...

I know where you can get another one of those

Judi Tavill said...

It is sad... I have a sam taylor plate that chipped a couple weeks ago and i'm just using it anyway...can't do that with a mug... a few more weeks ago my coveted Kristen Keiffer mug cracked pouring hot water into it...(not sure why) but I still keep it on a shelf for display...need to get out the epoxy...I wonder if mine have done that to their owners... I can't tell you how many friends I gave ceramics to that I walk in to their homes and they are like..."yeah...the kids wacked a ball into it... I didn't want you to know..." ARGH...yet...sh-t happens and there is always more clay...