So, I decided I needed a proper soup bowl with a lid. Not those flimsy things you buy that never quite seal right, you know? My soup was always getting cold way too fast, especially when I was working on something else and forgot about it for ten minutes. Plus, carrying soup anywhere without a decent lid? Forget about it.
Getting Started
First thing, I had to get the clay. Went down to the usual spot, but they were out of my preferred stoneware. Typical. Ended up getting this other kind, a bit groggier than I like, but beggars can’t be choosers, right? Grabbed my tools, made sure the wheel was clean. Always start with a clean setup, makes life easier down the line. Learned that the hard way ages ago.
Making the Bowl Part
Okay, wedged the clay. Gotta get all those air bubbles out. Then onto the wheel. Centering this stuff was a bit tougher than usual, maybe because of the grog, or maybe I was just having an off day. Took me two tries to get a lump centered properly. Finally got it pulled up into a decent bowl shape. I wanted something deep enough for a good portion, but not ridiculously huge. Made sure the walls were fairly even. Trimmed the base when it was leather-hard, gave it a nice foot ring. Nothing fancy, just functional.
Tackling the Lid
Now, the lid. This is where things usually get tricky. You need it to fit snugly but not too tight. This part takes patience. I measured the rim of the bowl carefully. Threw a flat-ish disk on the wheel, slightly larger than the opening. Then I had to create that inner rim, the flange, that sits inside the bowl rim. This is the bit that stops the lid sliding off. Took some careful trimming with a needle tool and a rib. You gotta check the fit constantly as it dries, because clay shrinks, remember? I decided on a simple knob handle for the top, easy to grab even if your hands are a bit wet.
- Measure bowl opening diameter.
- Throw lid slightly larger.
- Create inner flange carefully.
- Check fit repeatedly during drying.
- Add a simple handle.
Finishing Up
Let both pieces dry slowly under plastic for ages. Didn’t want any cracks. Then the bisque firing. Always a bit nerve-wracking waiting for the kiln to cool down. Thankfully, everything came out in one piece.
For glazing, I just went with a simple, clean white glaze inside and a deep blue on the outside. Nothing too wild. I like my pottery to be usable, not just sit on a shelf. Another firing, the glaze firing this time, hotter. Waited again.
Pulled it out of the kiln yesterday. The lid fits perfectly! Sat it on the bowl, nice and snug. Poured some hot water in just to test, put the lid on, left it for twenty minutes. Still warm. Success! It’s sturdy, feels good in the hands. It’s just a soup bowl, yeah, but it’s my soup bowl, made exactly how I wanted it. Sometimes store-bought just doesn’t cut it, you know? You end up compromising. Making it yourself? Takes time, sure, but you get exactly what you need. Feels good.
