Since the lock down situation at the end of March I’ve had a lot of time to think about my direction and what to make. I have been really struggling with concentration, and a positive outlook given these strange times.

New 3D Printer

I have been thinking a lot about combining my skill sets of making through traditional processes and adding computer aided design and manufacture CAD/CAM to the mix. I’ve bit the bullet and bought a very reasonably priced 3D printer, and have started to sketch out ideas on the computer using Fusion 360. I want to make some new work that is reflecting my training as a potter and the available design tools available now.

Inspiration from package free shops

I wanted to start these new projects with reusable sealed containers for shopping. There has been a steady increase of no packaging shops, and refilling facilities to curb packaging and recycling. Maybe 3 years ago, there was a surge of interest in ‘Growlers’. Reusable beer containers holding something like 3 pints of beer, on the west coast of the US. There was a little interest here too. I asked a couple pub workers and tap houses here in Edinburgh if they saw a trend, but they didn’t. I put it on the back burner. Until a half dozen packaging free shops started to open, and the interest came back to me. The first seal type I wanted to revisit was the Grolsh-style flip top lid with wire cage.

I had a previous project years ago involving this idea. I made a hip flask seen below, and although they ‘kind of’ worked, there was some problems with them. The biggest being the talc earthenware body I cast them in.

New ways of working

So below are some pictures of the casting process of the new flip top lid. Saving a step in the casting process by casting the case, rather than the flip top model.

Of course when doing a precision project like this, scale is definitely a factor. Thankfully through the software, scaling to allow for the clay shrinkage is a click of a button. Below is a picture of the finished working mould, with the second cast in. Still a little on the thin side, but I will figure that out.

A jar project with a screw down lid is being worked on at the minute too. There are quite a few historical examples of screw fittings on crocks, and ceramic hot water bottles. I got a lot of help by purchasing Mitchell Spain Ceramics‘ book about his process with screw threads. Early stages, but I think that there is a lot of scope for these seals in functional pots.

That’s it for now. will be doing a lot more work on the computer here at home.

Thanks for reading, and I hope to have more on offer soon.