In process…teapots

Teapots are one of my favourite pieces to make. As you can see it takes several parts to make a teapot.

After I throw the primary body, I immediately throw the lid, so that my callipers are measuring the size of the teapot body as accurately as possible before the clay dries and shrinks. The next day, when these two pieces are dry enough to trim, I pull the handle and throw the spout. I usually make one extra spout, just in case. While the spouts and handles are setting up, I work on the body and lid again.

After trimming the body and the lid, I’ll attach a knob to the lid. I usually throw this directly on the lid, so it is firmly attached. Before I attach the spout, I use a hole cutter and cut in 5 holes where the spout will attach - this is the tea filter.

Once the tea filter is added, I attach the spout so that it looks like it is coming out of the teapot as opposed to being added on. This part of the teapot is the most sculptural part of the process and the most enjoyable, in my opinion.

Lastly, I attach the handle and ensure that its shape fits the overall teapot shape, and so it aligns with both the foot and the top of the knob on the lid. Then I cover the teapot(s) for a day and let all of the parts get to know each other. After a day, I uncover the teapots and allow them to dry in my cool studio. If my studio were warm, I would only uncover them for short periods of time to prevent cracking at attachment points.

Did you want to know this process? I think it’s important for you to know what goes into a teapot. It’s a lovely sculptural, yet functional, piece to have in your kitchen.

Do you have a favourite teapot? Send me a photo and the potter who made it, or its manufacturer, and I’ll be happy to profile it here. There are so many lovely shapes out there.