Wood Fired Swirl Mug with Woo Blue Glaze
Wood Fired Swirl Mug with Woo Blue Glaze
Start your morning ritual with a handmade stoneware mug that combines function, comfort, and natural beauty. Wheel thrown and fired in a wood-burning kiln, this ceramic mug features a comfortable hand pulled handle, and a gorgeous atmospheric surface. The effects of flame and ash swirling through the kiln are shown on the bare clay surface, and in the variations of the glaze —making every sip from this cup extra special.
Details
This mug measures 4.5" tall, and 3.5" wide across the lip It will hold 12 ounces with some room for milk and sugar.
The interior of the mug is glazed in a golden tan glaze, and the rim and top few inches is glazed in woo blue glaze. The bottom 2/3rds of the cup is unglazed, wood fired ceramic - which feels quite nice to touch. All of my pottery is microwave and dishwasher safe, unless otherwise noted.
Use
This mug is designed for daily enjoyment; ideal for a generous morning coffee, a cozy cup of tea, or hot chocolate. Its weight and balance feel good in the hand, and the comfortable handle makes it a pleasure to use.
Process
This pot was thrown on my pottery wheel using BMix clay, a white stoneware. While still wet, I applied a brown iron oxide slip (a liquid clay mixture) to the exterior. A rubber rib was used to press through the brown slip, forming the wet clay into a swirl shape. When the mug was leather hard (partially dry, wet but firm) I attached and shaped the handle by hand.
This piece was fired in a wood-burning kiln at Desert Dragon Pottery Studio in North Phoenix. Unlike electric or gas kilns, wood firing relies entirely on burning wood to build heat and atmosphere inside the kiln. As the kiln is stoked, flame, ash, and minerals from the burning wood move naturally around the pottery, creating organic surface markings, flashing, and subtle color transitions that cannot be replicated through glazing alone.
The kiln used is a fast-fire wood kiln that reaches temperature in approximately 12 hours. The dynamic nature of wood firing means each piece responds differently to its placement within the kiln, resulting in truly one-of-a-kind works that capture the spontaneity and beauty of the firing process.