Earlier this year, I completed a four person 5-piece dinnerware set commission, my largest project to date (20 total pieces)!

The commission set includes 4 of each of the following:

• Dinner Plate (dimensions: 10.5″ diameter x 1″ H)
• Pasta Bowl (dimensions: 8.5″ diameter x 2″ H)
• Salad Plate (dimensions: 8″ diameter x 1″ H)
• Cereal Bowl (dimensions: 5.75″ diameter x 3.75″ H)
• Condiment Dip Bowl (dimensions: 3.5″ diameter x 1.5″ H)

Thoughts:

• Extras: Always throw 1-2 extra of each form. E.g. if the order calls for 4 dinner plates, throw 5 or 6. The worst thing that can happen is a casualty during bisque or glazing, so better to have more than not enough.
• Bats: Throwing bats are ESSENTIAL. I already use these as part of my essentials of throwing, but I can’t imagine anyone doing a set without them. Mine are cut from Medex.
• Shapes: Large / shallow pasta bowls are surprisingly difficult to throw consistently. Small plates are the easiest.
• Short-Term Muscle Memory: Throw all quantities of the same form in one session. Somehow this act helps commit the dimensions in my short-term muscle memory and maintains consistency between pieces.
• Practice: Test the forms ahead of time, with no commitment to keep the practice pieces. This helps to document the exact thrown measurements and amount of clay required for each piece, instead of doing this mental work at the start of a production session.
• Two Colors: The best way to glaze the inside and outside two separate colors: Day 1 – glaze the interior and clean up the rim / edge with a rib and sponge, let to fully dry overnight; Day 2 – dip the exterior only + touch up where needed. It works!
• Tricky Glazes: The Tenmoku glaze on the exterior can be very picky. There were a significant number of pinholes on most of the pieces. Perhaps it was due to the texture on the outside of the pieces? The crawling at the foot ring is somewhat expected with this glaze, but why so many pinholes?? Luckily, as the Tenmoku was only applied on the exterior, the pinholes do not affect the food-safety of the set. I will be keeping an eye on that glaze from now on.

Overall, VERY happy with how this turned out. Super lovely set and I am so excited it went to a loving home!

p.s. thank you for the trust, treasured client!

What About The Extras??

Luckily, the extras made for the commission set (in case of workflow casualties) did not get called into emergency service. Whew!

The client was offered the opportunity to purchase these extras and match the glaze style to their new set, but declined.

I repurposed them for a small two-person 5-piece set (currently for sale). A post detailing the differing glazing processes to come soon!

If you made it this far, please enjoy a Kuma update. An outright mess of paws!