Wood Fired Woo Blue and Goldspot Swirl Mug
Wood Fired Woo Blue and Goldspot Swirl Mug
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 – including a flush of dreamy blue beneath the rim.
The effects of flame and ash swirling through the kiln are shown on the bare clay swirl, and in the variations of the glaze. Every sip from this cup will feel extra special. No two wood fired mugs will every emerge from the kiln alike, making this piece completely one of a kind.
Details
This mug measures 4.5" tall, 3.25" wide across the lip, and it will hold 12 ounces when full.
The interior of the mug is glazed in a golden tan glaze (Goldspot), 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 well suited for coffee, tea, hot chocolate, cider, or your favorite daily beverage. The gently swirled form rests comfortably in the hand, while the generous handle provides a secure, balanced grip. Beyond everyday use, it also makes a thoughtful gift for pottery collectors or anyone who appreciates handcrafted ceramics with the markings of a traditional wood firing.
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.
