Wood Fired Keepsake Jar with Orange Flashing Slip and Teal Interior
Wood Fired Keepsake Jar with Orange Flashing Slip and Teal Interior
This vibrant handmade jar is a fantastic container for storing sugar or spices, it could be a beautiful jewelry jar or a container for keepsakes. A flashing slip was painted around the jar, providing a vibrant color variety of orange and peach on the bare wood fired clay exterior. The interior was glazed in a glossy teal glaze, a fun and bright surprise under the lid.
The jar stands about 3 3/4 inches tall to the top of the lid, and nearly 2 3/4 inches tall without the lid. The inner opening is a bit over 2 1/2" wide, and the jar is 3 1/2" wide at its widest part. This jar will hold a cup of liquid when totally full.
The jar was created on my pottery wheel using Rod's Bod clay. The jar's lid and body were thrown as a single, enclosed piece. The lid was cut away from the body, and each side was trimmed to fit. A thin layer of flashing slip was painted around the jar just after it was made, and I used the end of a round brush handle to add a swirled line through the slip. The slip provided some extra vibrancy to the wood fired clay surface. The inside of the jar was glazed in a vibrant teal glaze.
Wood firing pottery is a traditional method where pottery is fired in a kiln fueled solely by wood, resulting in unique colors, textures, and patterns due to the interaction of flame and ash with the clay surfaces. The process infuses every piece with both the warmth of the fire and the community effort involved in firing the wood kiln.
This piece was wood fired at the Desert Dragon Pottery Studio in North Phoenix, AZ.
All of my pottery is dishwasher and microwave safe.
This handmade wood fired pottery mug celebrates the natural beauty of flame, ash, and clay. The warm earth tones of the unglazed stoneware are wrapped with a sweeping spiral of iron slip, while the interior and rim create a vibrant transition from shino orange, to creamy beige, down to a flush of soft blue that could only be achieved through the wood firing process.
Every angle reveals something different. The combination of exposed clay, flowing iron slip, and atmospheric firing creates a mug with quiet character – one that feels equally at home beside a morning coffee, an evening tea, or simply resting on a favorite shelf between uses. No two wood fired mugs will ever emerge from the kiln alike, making this piece completely one of a kind.
Details
This mug measures 4.5" tall, and 3.25" wide across the lip. It will hold 11 ounces when nearly full.
The interior of the mug is glazed in shino 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 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.