The handmade mug in this photo is thirty years old, it has been my favourite morning coffee cup, for the the last five.
It bears the scars!
The most difficult part of pottery is that it will break.
I have turned suddenly and bumped precious things or placed them down not quite right and %#*@Smash!. That’s the end. Some people I know keep their mugs, safely in a cabinet just for decoration, and they are beautiful.
If you feel as I do, that the pleasure of using a handmade mug everyday is worth the risk, here are some tips to help yours last:-
The fine lip will chip if it is knocked against a hard surface, so stack them a little apart in the dishwasher.
If hand washing – put the mugs through the sink one at a time so as not to knock them against each other.
Over a period of time and use pots sometimes develop a hairline crack – as shown on the mug pictured. I am still using mine and so far it is holding up. This mug is showing normal wear and tear.
Having said that the making and firing process can be quite harsh. I check all my pots over carefully as I sand the bottoms after they come out of the kiln – looking for any flaws or cracks. If you are at all concerned that I missed a flaw or crack on your pot please let me know.