Tuesday, December 16, 2014

A Stay At Home Teapot

I'm calling this a stay at home teapot because it has several problems.  This is the second lid I have made for it.  I dropped the original while I was unloading the glaze kiln.  The lid looks fine but it doesn't work the way I like my lids to fit.  A larger problem is the spout.  The opening needs more work.  The sides need to be higher so it pours in a stream.  Right now the first cup goes everywhere over the edges.  Tea is not supposed a bathing experience!


There was a wonderful post in Ceramic Arts Daily on how to handbuild a teapot in thirty minutes.  It's built over a form with everything but the bottom done while it's still on the form.  I took a bit longer because I am an OCD freak!  It's a fun thing to handbuild that even beginners can enjoy making.
 CAD: 30 Minute Teapot!


I made another one of my bread experiments.  With this one I used 3/4 Cup Rye Flour and 3/4 Cup King Arthur White Whole Wheat, a pinch of sugar and 1/4 Tsp. Yeast.  I let the whole thing ferment over a day and gradually added flour a cup or two at a time with hours of rest between each addition.  When it held together, but was still very wet I turned it onto the counter and folded and kneaded using my bench scraper.  I did this a couple of times.  I baked it at 400F. in a preheated oven and covered cast iron pan.  Usually I watch it, take the lid off, turn the oven temp down a bit.  This time something came up and I forgot about it for a bit over an hour.  It came out perfectly with a moist crumb.  The only problem is that I can't stay away from it!  YUM!

We're having more typical, gray New England weather.  It's not too cold out, with no wind so I may go out in a bit and do a little yard pick up!  That never stops!

Happy Hannuka to all those who celebrate.  A Festival of Light is much needed at this time of year!

As always, thanks for stopping by...........*s*

10 comments:

  1. Your teapot is pretty even if it isn't functional... and the bread, I wouldn't be able to stay out of it either. That's the down fall of home baked bread, we eat too much.

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  2. Hi Michele.....Thanks. I hoping that I can get back to making more teapots in the new year. It's a definite down, that what me make tastes so good!

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  3. Your teapot is quite attractive, love the glazing. I guess you will need to make another, but it sure is pretty to look at. I can taste the bread from here, fabulous looking loaf. xox

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    1. Hi Corrine...Thanks. nothing like practice to improve a design! Winter is the time for baking bread!

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  4. Dearest Suzi,
    Oh, that teapot is quite a story... but as long as you can be humorous about it, that's fine.
    Love your bread story and it looks so yummy. Oh, the smell of fresh bread and than the taste of a warm piece...
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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    1. Hi Mariette...A sense of humor is essential when doing pottery. Otherwise I would spend a great deal of time banging my head against a wall. Isn't it amazing the way smells can summon memories?

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  5. Teapots are so often a learning experience.

    That bread sounds delicious.

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    1. Hi Lori....Teapots are not only a learning experience, but a humbling one also!
      I really enjoy experimenting with bread recipes over the winter.

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  6. Just like at my house, making teapots and bread :) POTTERS!

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    1. Hi Gary....Tea and bread, two of the most important things in life!

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