tea pot handles of other than clay

Hi, I want to make my own tea pot handle, not just get the bamboo ones that we see all the time. I have seen many very interesting ones in the pages of Clay times, etc, but the info about the tea pot is always about the thrown part, and not the handle. I'm just wondering if any has any suggestions about what kinds of materials to use, twigs, sticks, wire. I usually pull, or sculpt my handles, but I wanted to try something different. thanks Sa

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seasa42
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A suggestion was recently made on another list that we all try whatever is local to us. For some people, it might be grape vine, for others, willow twigs. For me, it would be sea grape tree branch bound with copper wire. It is strong, attractive when dry, and the copper adds a nice bright element on a dark brown tenmoku.

What grows in YOUR area? Take a walk, and take a look. You might be surprised. Best, Wayne Seidl

Reply to
w

Sheila Clennell does a very good video on handle making.

link no. 4 Videos.

Steve Bath UK

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Reply to
Steve Mills

I'll second the local idea. Around SE Michigan we have invasive Buckthorn. It's a shrub/small tree that seems to pop up everywhere and is really hard to control. After it's been cut back, it sprouts back with straight shoots that might be fine for your handles. I've been using them for basketry, though they aren't quite as supple as willow, they are strong. Wear leather-palmed work gloves, grip a shoot, and pull all the leaves off in one pass. If you use them as-is they have a silvery sheen from the bark. If you soak them and peel the bark (comes off pretty easily) the wood beneath is bright yellow! The color seems to be fairly permanent (2 years and counting).

Another possibility around here is Black Raspberry. I don't think it's officially invasive, but it also pops up everywhere. Wait until winter and the stems turn reddish purple. Use the same leather glove trick and all the thorns come off in one pass. This is a bit harder to work with since it breaks if you bend it too far, but I have seen plenty of teapots with fairly straight handles. A twisted bundle of this stuff would be quite striking. Note, however, that color does darken over time and the stalks shrivel slightly... they don't keep the beautiful gloss that they have initially.

Hope this helps!

Bob Masta dqatechATdaqartaDOTcom D A Q A R T A Data AcQuisition And Real-Time Analysis

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Home of DaqGen, the FREEWARE signal generator

Reply to
Bob Masta

Thanks everyone for the great advice. I live in Hollywood , Ca, so I guess I can make handles out of the bones of starving movie stars, ha. Seriously, I will do some local agrarian research, and I also have access to a world of floral supply houses, they often have loads of already dried wooden items. Thanks again Sa

Reply to
seasa42

I wonder what manzanita would work like, if it keeps its intense red bark? That would be beautiful.

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you do a page search for basket you can find what plants were used for weaving and these should work fine for handles if you want them curved. Your area is shrub country... also rattlesnake heaven. I'm not as homesick for it as I once was but this brings back all I love about Southern California - or what is left of it. Just some additional thoughts.

Reply to
DKat

OOO, that would be nice, and there's tons of it very close to me. I live 4 houses down from Runyon Cyn, if you know where that is. Rattlesnake heaven, you bet, but also loads of Manzanita.

Oh, now I can't wait for the darn tea pot to dry, so I can fire it, and make this handle! I have also ordered that DVD about from the Sour Cherry people. Thanks again Sa

Reply to
seasa42

Reply to
DKat

Now a stuffed rattler would certainly be an unusual handle you have to admit... Best, Wayne Seidl

Reply to
w

Don't suppose you have a picture. That sound really lovely.

Reply to
DKat

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