A couple of weeks ago, I sold a mug to a co-worker. When I delivered it, he excitedly picked the mug up and grabbed the handle. He looked at me and smiled, “Wow! I can fit three fingers through the handle, that’s good!” It was then that I realized this guy has huge hands. He stands about 6′2″ tall, and is just generally a big-boned guy. I bet he seldom, if ever, comes across a cup or mug with a handle that he can get all of his fingers through.

I remember that when I gave my Dad a mug for his birthday in March, he comfortably fit two fingers through the handle. I could stick all four fingers through that same handle. I don’t know why the light didn’t come on that day, but it didn’t. After the occurrence with my co-worker, I started paying closer attention to the hands of the people I came in contact with, in all of my different walks of life (only a potter would understand!) and realized there are a lot of men out there with large hands who might appreciate a mug with a handle made to their size.

So this week, I set out to make some man-sized mugs. I threw larger mugs than I normally do, and affixed wide strap handles to them. Now, I can fit my entire hand through these handles in the leather-hard stage. I am anxious to see how much shrink I get out of them. When they’re finished, I am going to take one in to my co-worker to see how it fits his hand.

My work was featured in another potter’s blog today - Fireluster Pottery.

It is a great write-up and I am honored!

I enjoyed my long weekend, and got a lot done. I have been working with larger chunks of clay, trying to figure out how much is needed for different sized plates, bowls and platters. I also had fun making a few frog dishes. I sell these as ice cream dishes because they end up being the perfect size for a scoop or two, and the frog sits on a handle that helps keep your hand from freezing. I just love their perpetual smiles!

Have I said this before? The most difficult part of my job as a potter is taking pictures of the pieces. Since I sell mostly online, the photographs must depict the piece as accurately as possible. This latest attempt was done outdoors, using natural light. The pictures were taken in the shade, but the piece is so glossy, it still picks up reflection. The bamboo background was taken fully outdoors, the black background was in a photo tent. Which do you like best? Why?

Quick note: the wax burner does not sit crooked. My tripod does, and I forgot to adjust it!

It’s not uncommon for us to get a few snow flurries in late spring up here in the mountains - but we’ve got a real, live snowstorm happening! It snowed on and off all day, and the weather people are forecasting up to three inches tonight. Wow!

There are a few things that make this especially exciting. First, the mountain always gets more snow than we do on the base. This will make for good runoff, and we need the water. Second, the water is going to help the wildflowers grow this summer. In a month, the hiking is going to be perfect up there, and it’s going to be beautiful. Third, it means that I get to spend a lot of time in the studio this Memorial Day weekend, because it’s crummy outside!

So, I say, Bring On the Snow!!!