Candlesticks, egg cups and goblets made from the same foundations!

My latest focus has been on throwing candlesticks, egg cups and goblets. I have been making candlesticks for a while now.

I made goblets in 2 parts previously but I wanted to experiment with throwing in one go rather than having to attach 2 pieces together. Throwing in 2 parts can mean that the overall piece is perhaps a little lighter as the base will be hollow. But I can trim the goblet stems before they have dried out.

The process of creating all three, (candle stick, egg cup and goblet), is very similar! Just the amount of clay and the opening size at the top differ! It is such a great way to make them.

From coning the lump of clay, the candlestick has several tiers added by gently squeezing in the clay at intervals. Leaving enough clay,  the candle cup at the top is created last. I have tried opening the cup part first but it all becomes quite wibbly so now I add the tiers first.

My candlesticks are made with 500g of clay. Goblets are made with 600g clay. After coning the clay I have created just one or two tier sections at intervals around the lower one third. Then the top two thirds of the clay cone is opened up in a similar way to the candlesticks but creating a wider cup section.

My egg cups are made exactly the same way as the goblet. Just  smaller, using 300g clay!

The main thing to remember is they need to be completely dry before bisque fire. Any thicker areas may still hold moisture and could cause a little implosion inside the kiln.  It’s all a journey of learning and patience.

All pots take a while longer to dry out now that the  days are a bit colder.

5 1 vote
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
1 Comment
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments