Post #793772 by danlovestikis on Wed, Mar 13, 2019 8:00 PM

SACRAMENTO CRAWL MUG for 2019 is finalized. Here is my new technique and how it turned out and then what I do to each mug when I fine tune it.

I fine tuned the front of this mug and then carved a design around the arch. It took a long time when I also have the rest of the mug to fine tune. So I had to think up a better plan.

My mother had a dental lab and I have all her tools. I decided to alter my mold.

Risky because I only have one shot at getting it right.

The best part is that the design will stand out rather than being carved in.

Here are the steps I did to fine tune each mug. I will do this 76 times and then stop. If I need more mugs they will be done as part of the next Wish List.

So much better and it will be this way for the run of mugs. Those I hand carved will be used for the glaze tests. Her I added texture to the cross beam, the palm trees and then I carved the flagstone design which will change for each mug. Similar but different.

I use a wet paint brush to sand it as I go along. It removes the sharp edges that wouldn't glaze well.

Just how it should be.

Next I tackle the opening at the back of the mug.

I cut off the right amount of clay, cleaned the mold lines and

then I use a spike to cut the opening to the right size and shape.

Then I "wet" sand it.

The lettering didn't hold up and started to fade but clay is there to be manipulated and I just worked harder.

Here's how it looks after fine tuning. I will do the scratches on the entire thatch roof as well.

I thought the stones should have been more pronounced so I actually carved around each stone.

I also carved between each bamboo slat to make them better as well.

Then I used a wire brush to add texture to the bamboo.

I used the wire brush to do the roof and

then I sanded with a wet brush all the appropriate areas.

I fine tuned the last side and

wet sanded it too.

One down and 75 more to go. If I run out then I will make more on the next Wish List.

Cheers, Wendy