As Many Teapots as I Could Possibly Make Berea College Capstone Series

 I’m a tea drinker and a user of teapots. I’d thought of teapots for many years, without the confidence to pursue their craft. Teapots are known in the ceramics community as a very difficult form to do well, if not the most difficult form to do well. This is because teapots have many elements that need to work together to create the piece as a whole. The body of the teapot, on its own is a lidded jar, then a spout and handle  are added make it a teapot. These elements all need to function well on their own, then also need to function well together.  A lid should fit well in its seat, a spout should pour without glugging or dripping, a handle needs to be comfortable and support the weight of the pot.

 I started experimenting with teapots in my studio practice  in the summer of 2021. The dedication of time needed to make these forms was intimidating to me as an artist because I can make many mugs in the same time it takes to make a single teapot. As a working artist, I’m conscious of the time and cost It takes to make an object. Teapots are sellable, but they’re much less sellable than a cup. I felt an internal pressure to continue to make pots that are more marketable. Regardless I  made them in batches, two or three at time between my other ceramic endeavors. I ruminated on teapots that had handles made of alternative material and began to investigate their materials and processes. I expanded my practice to include making teapots with handles made of reed. I knew when I applied to be a Craft Apprentice at Berea College that I would dedicate my capstone to furthering my practice of making teapots with alternative handles, utilizing the facilities and staff of Berea College. I’ve learned the basics of broom making and woodturning and applied that skill to making many of the teapot handles shown here.

 The surface decoration of the teapots are a reflection of time periods and places. When I came to Berea I brought with me glaze recipes from my undergraduate program and glaze recipes that I currently use in my studio practice. I used these glazes, ceramic decals, and a slip made of foraged clay from the Pinnacles to finish the teapots.