Holding

When I make a cup or mug, I like thinking about how the thing I am making will interact with someone someday. It’s really incredible when you think about it: this cup could be picked up by someone every day, filled iwth liquid, then brought to their lips to give them sustenance and comfort. We are tangibly, objectively connected.

I learned the importance of how something feels from the first mug I made because it had a handle that was beautiful, but so uncomfortable to hold that I threw it away. A mug should feel good to hold. So recently I’ve been exploring the idea of holding: what makes something feel easy, comfortable and right? Then, how much of a handle is necessary to make lifting easier and to protect your fingers from heat? How specific to a body can a cup be?

The first finger shelf cup.

This little cup fits perfectly in my hand.

I threw some forms that are rather old-fashioned, but I find the tulip shape pleasant to drink from. Perhaps that’s why it’s a classic! When the form is leather hard, I pick it up in a way that feels natural and mark the space between my fingers. Then I put a little wedge of clay there. There will be a few more variations to come: larger forms, a range of proportions, more sharply carved shelves, deeper shelves.

There are also an array of body, lip and handle shapes, all part of a collection I’m calling “From my fingers to your lips.”