Mark C. Posted July 25, 2012 Report Share Posted July 25, 2012 I have made some special fish mugs over the years-between lots of underwater photography and tuna fishing I have a soft spot for fish mugs. They are more work than you can get paid for so I choose to make them for friends as gifts-The past weekend I had friends over to make their own from my mugs Heres the early outcome-rock fish and tuna mugs Also after a week of cool weather and fog we had sun so the pots dried well today before loading into a bisque. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJR Posted July 25, 2012 Report Share Posted July 25, 2012 Nice! TJR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmeriSwede Posted July 25, 2012 Report Share Posted July 25, 2012 I also like to see those unique fish mugs (like my avatar- pictured in my gallery) and tend to just make them for special friends as gifts, because of the labor intensity. I think it's a wonderful idea to actually invite them over for a 'fish mug' fest of creativity! Great idea, Marc! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted July 25, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 25, 2012 Heres some albacore ones I made a few years back Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcia Selsor Posted July 25, 2012 Report Share Posted July 25, 2012 Those glazes are really enhancing the nice work on the fish. Great fish mugs , Mark! Marcia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLowes Posted July 25, 2012 Report Share Posted July 25, 2012 Nice mugs Mark, I really like the older albacore mugs; like Marcia I think the glazes worked well with those. I undertand if you take time to make cut-outs of line drawings, impress the lines for fins, tails and such into the fish, that getting paid for that trouble would be hard for a mug. But, how about making some real nices one-offs and plaster casting them for a press mold? I would think you could add enough onto your standard mug price to make it worthwhile. I am a hobby potter, but sell at art or craft festivals several times a year. In a couple of years, or so, I plan to give up the day job, and pursue pottery to a higher degree, so making a profit will be important. I enjoy making raku animals, but as you indicate selling for a profit on the time put in is not possible for some items. I am planning to make some press molds of the parts I add (ears, legs, snout, eyes, tails) to the thrown part instead of handcrafting each part. It looks like one might be able to make a press mold for the whole fish to add to the thrown mug. At least I hope so in my case. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christine Posted July 25, 2012 Report Share Posted July 25, 2012 I have made some special fish mugs over the years-between lots of underwater photography and tuna fishing I have a soft spot for fish mugs. They are more work than you can get paid for so I choose to make them for friends as gifts-The past weekend I had friends over to make their own from my mugs Heres the early outcome-rock fish and tuna mugs Also after a week of cool weather and fog we had sun so the pots dried well today before loading into a bisque. Mark ...... Gorgeous!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nelly Posted July 25, 2012 Report Share Posted July 25, 2012 I have made some special fish mugs over the years-between lots of underwater photography and tuna fishing I have a soft spot for fish mugs. They are more work than you can get paid for so I choose to make them for friends as gifts-The past weekend I had friends over to make their own from my mugs Heres the early outcome-rock fish and tuna mugs Also after a week of cool weather and fog we had sun so the pots dried well today before loading into a bisque. Mark ...... Gorgeous!! Dear Mark, Now that looks like a really fun party. I am sure you had a great time and your guests are likely very curious to see the outcome. Your glazes are really pretty. As said already, the colors really accentuate the fish. Nice work. Nelly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted July 25, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 25, 2012 John We use press mold plenty around the studio- and I can whip one out pronto but the time element is in the other details-the waxing-the glazing the details that make them nice and not the lick and sticking. Also these are one of a kind-thats what I like about them. I have sold a few at 30$ and felt I am losing my shirt- Better as gifts. Even with my power sponger it takes lots of detail time to glaze and then wax over them then glaze the mug as usual. You mention profit and fish mugs do not fit that word-I still make things that are not profitable but need to keep it small as making a living with clay is really what I do. Mark Nice mugs Mark, I really like the older albacore mugs; like Marcia I think the glazes worked well with those. I undertand if you take time to make cut-outs of line drawings, impress the lines for fins, tails and such into the fish, that getting paid for that trouble would be hard for a mug. But, how about making some real nices one-offs and plaster casting them for a press mold? I would think you could add enough onto your standard mug price to make it worthwhile. I am a hobby potter, but sell at art or craft festivals several times a year. In a couple of years, or so, I plan to give up the day job, and pursue pottery to a higher degree, so making a profit will be important. I enjoy making raku animals, but as you indicate selling for a profit on the time put in is not possible for some items. I am planning to make some press molds of the parts I add (ears, legs, snout, eyes, tails) to the thrown part instead of handcrafting each part. It looks like one might be able to make a press mold for the whole fish to add to the thrown mug. At least I hope so in my case. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted August 1, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 1, 2012 Heres the 1st two fish mugs done-4 more of friends to fire-Not to happy with these two-I made the rockfish and my nephew did the tuna. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plaidpineapple Posted August 9, 2012 Report Share Posted August 9, 2012 Heres the 1st two fish mugs done-4 more of friends to fire-Not to happy with these two-I made the rockfish and my nephew did the tuna. Those are so great! I think I know what I am going to make my dad for Christmas now. Love them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ayjay Posted August 10, 2012 Report Share Posted August 10, 2012 Inside every production potter there's a hobby potter just itching to get out! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted September 19, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 19, 2012 Heres the finished fish they put onto the mugs-I was a slow to get around to posting this.These are rockfish and Tuna. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pres Posted September 19, 2012 Report Share Posted September 19, 2012 I have made some special fish mugs over the years-between lots of underwater photography and tuna fishing I have a soft spot for fish mugs. They are more work than you can get paid for so I choose to make them for friends as gifts-The past weekend I had friends over to make their own from my mugs Heres the early outcome-rock fish and tuna mugs Also after a week of cool weather and fog we had sun so the pots dried well today before loading into a bisque. Mark Nice mugs, The fish details are very well done. I was wondering if you have considered modeling a few, and making sprig molds of them either with clay or plaster. I have also carved some stamps out of bass wood for objects that I want to use in a repetitive manner. Right now I am working on a design for pine branches and needles(raised). Details are tough, but with work, I am getting better results-just takes some time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen B Posted September 19, 2012 Report Share Posted September 19, 2012 I have made some special fish mugs over the years-between lots of underwater photography and tuna fishing I have a soft spot for fish mugs. They are more work than you can get paid for so I choose to make them for friends as gifts-The past weekend I had friends over to make their own from my mugs Heres the early outcome-rock fish and tuna mugs Also after a week of cool weather and fog we had sun so the pots dried well today before loading into a bisque. Mark Nice mugs, The fish details are very well done. I was wondering if you have considered modeling a few, and making sprig molds of them either with clay or plaster. I have also carved some stamps out of bass wood for objects that I want to use in a repetitive manner. Right now I am working on a design for pine branches and needles(raised). Details are tough, but with work, I am getting better results-just takes some time. Would love to see pictures of your carving in the wood. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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