Making Mugs Using Primitive Techniques - The Whole Pottery Process

[@yeshuas5172]

You're getting really good at videography Andy. The music, the light coming in the window and all while teaching something worthwhile and aesthetically pleasing. I think ancient pottery replicating is not your only talent or art.

[@AncientPottery]

Thank you, I definitely am trying to improve in that area. It is hard to concentrate on the filming and the pottery at the same time, but making slow improvement over time. I appreciate your saying that,

[@bakedto420]

Thanks. You should experiment with clay and sand to make building bricks

[@ijustneedausername6742]

My original plan when I was in college was a degree in art- specifically clay sculpture. I had to drop out unexpectedly and it’s been years since I was able to work with clay it’s so damn expensive. I found this video by chance and the prospect of being able to work with clay again is just, my heart is very full right now. Thank you for this channel ❤️

[@AncientPottery]

I am so glad to hear this, thank you for this comment. Clay is wonderful and the cost of equipment should not keep people away from it.

[@ijustneedausername6742]

@@AncientPottery I live in the Midwest with lots of clay in the soil, I can’t wait to get my hands dirty again!

[@shazzorama]

😅😂😂 ur name! ❤

[@animatorgeek]

Coming from my experience with cast iron seasoning, I think you probably need to bake the pottery to a higher temperature to polymerize the oil. With cast iron you'd bake it to 350-450 for an hour and let the pan cool down with the oven. Also, you'd want to have as thin a coat of crisco or oil as possible. Of course, if the oil is soaking into the clay, that could affect the way the oil behaves in the oven. It's probably worth further experimentation to get the effect just right, but if it works like I'd expect, you'd get a nice seal without any oily residue on the pot.

[@AncientPottery]

I am learning as I go. When I did this video I didn't even have a good understanding of polymerization. I am in the middle of filming a new sealing pottery video right now. Thanks for the info!

[@ThrobbiusMaximus]

At least for seasoning cast iron, ideally it should be even hotter than 350-450. I always do mine at 500 for an hour. You really want to make sure you're taking the oil past it's smoke point so it can polymerize. I also always flip the pan upside down when baking to make sure any excess drips off

[@williamhughes9559]

I've experimented with making clay. My Mother n Laws property had a very large amount of clay and what was used to build the house almost 100 years ago when her husbands family started their homestead. Now I need to try building a kiln but let's see how the HOA reacts to that. I guess I can tell them it's a barbecue pit.

[@TheKjoy85]

Heating the pottery back up to 500° F is the best way to get the shortening to polymerize and create that sealing seasoning. It is how we maintain our cast iron and stoneware.

[@jackiegrant410]

A beautiful video. I’ve just started ceramics, I’m 61 and really enjoying, so I’ve hunted high and low for information on KZbin. I’ve found a good amount of different styles, but, somehow when I get to your videos, your style, your passion and love just sends out so much positive energy to me, I really enjoy learning from you, thank you. ❤️ I love a rustic look, so a clean cut edge to everything isn’t my thing, I feel that it’s important to love the clay that i am handling and like with my own artwork, I just know when it’s finished, it pleases my heart!

[@AncientPottery]

Thank you so much Jackie. I am like you, I love the rustic, handmade look. I'm glad that you found my channel.

[@jdstewart8572]

Thank you for the videos and the mugs look great. We seal our pizza and pie stoneware with crisco. We bake at 350 degree (F) for 1 hour and we do 2 coats. A suggestion for the coffee cup is to put it upside down. We do the same with our cast-iron skillet. Thanks again.

[@AncientPottery]

Good to know. Thanks for the tip too. When I drank my coffee from it, it didn't seep any out, so I think it is pretty well sealed with just the one coat I did. Of course over time it may start to seep a little and then I would treat again.

[@nolitawineman9073]

I have been thinking about this video and remembered something from researching oils for painting. With oil painting you can’t just use any old oil and that could also be the case with sealing ceramic. You have to use what’s called a drying oil and some drying oils are actually food grade! Drying is a misnomer as they are actually polymerizing oils. You could use expensive flaxseed or walnut oil (flaxseed is basically the edible kind of linseed) but I think sunflower oil is the way to go. Firstly 🌻 oil is really cheap. You can get a bottle for about $3. It’s a drying oil and it’s for low temperature cooking and salads. One little add on is that drying oils cure faster with heat and sun. You could try leaving the finished pieces out in the Arizona sun with or without oven seasoning. 🌻 oil will cure for sure with such an arid climate.

[@AncientPottery]

Yes but I think most oils can be heated to polymerize them. I am learning as I go here. Thanks

[@jammincoder]

This is really quite a beautiful art and you explaining and showing the process is invaluable and motivating.

[@AncientPottery]

Glad you appreciate it.

[@IIrandhandleII]

Flat bottom mugs make the rockin world go round.

[@AncientPottery]

I was thinking that could be said of round bottomed mugs, oh well, different strokes for different folks.

[@IIrandhandleII]

@@AncientPottery that's just the first thing that came to mind that rhymed with the song. I also prefer the look of round bottom mugs. :)

[@Fingtam]

Have you ever considered making an ocarina? There are some great video tutorials here on KZbin that use modern methods, but it would be cool to see it done with primitive pottery methods if that’s even possible.

[@deanatankersley6851]

Those mugs turned out so gorgeous...love love your more primitive style. Just awesome!!

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@vixwolf2037]

Always learning something new even if I rewatch a video. Thank you for the time you take on both the videos and the pottery because I am always learning something new.😊

[@marciacunningham5877]

Your ad hoc chimney really works! Forget what I said about adding a stove pipe. Michael

[@AncientPottery]

LOL, yes it does.

[@rutilopata8294]

Loved it! Your sharing the process in such a transparent way and thinking out loud is wonderful! You are Great teacher Andy🙏🏻💐✨

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@lindareese4579]

I love the music to your pottery clip..

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks!

[@genehickman1146]

Very Good. I like your experimentation and your critiques with the pros and cons and what you would do different. One way we often test pottery to see if it is sealed well for liquids, is to fill it with liquid and put it on a folded paper towel. Then see if you get a wet ring on the paper. If it takes hours or overnight to wet the towel, we usually say it is ok for drinking, as we are not storing liquid in it. Usually just pouring a cup and drinking or eating it out right away. Thanks for all you do.

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks Gene, great tip. Not much different from my wooden work bench, the wet spot is easily seen on the surface of the raw wood.

[@conormarie4310]

I find the riveted handle very interesting as someone who's worked joining metal, wood and wax it really offers an insight to the nature of clay that a stronger bond can be formed this way. It looks to behave similar to soft wax but there seem to be separations between "joined" layers of the clay. Love the backing music btw especially the guitar.

[@emariaenterprises]

I'm Totally inspired. I made some mugs in the one pottery class I was allowed since I was pursuing the painting part, but I loved the pottery too.... I love Lots of art.... making stuff is cool.

[@AncientPottery]

Yes it is, thanks

[@stilltlrforlife]

I always wondered about sealing with oil or lard, I wonder how long it will last before you have to re season it? Very cool!!

[@AncientPottery]

Yes it may need to be reapplied from time to time but also that may depends on what you are eating in it.

[@allwildgardens4936]

If you mount a small smooth stone onto a stick with some pine pitch glue, you might find burnishing those hard to reach places accessible...

[@AncientPottery]

Yeah, that actually crossed my mind while I was working on this. I will need to plan ahead so that the glue is dry by the time I need it.

[@julialynn6728]

Sir you have honestly made me excited for something. It has been a long time since I wanted to do or try anything. I am going to try this; we have a lot of naturel clay where I live. Thank you.

[@AncientPottery]

Awesome, glad to help!

[@lolahannon]

Very lovely video. My boyfriend sent it to me and I couldn’t stop watching it. Thanks for posting

[@AncientPottery]

Glad you liked it, thanks to your BF

[@lh5236]

Thanks so much for all the brilliant info on your channel! I live off grid. Dug out and prepared my first batch of wild clay today and cant wait to get my hands on it!

[@AncientPottery]

That's great. I am glad to hear that you are enjoying my videos.

[@Michael-vp4zt]

They look great.

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks

[@micheledickey4066]

I am just so completely enameled with this type of pottery making!! I have just began looking into primitive pottery making and I’ve never seen a handle done this way before and I can’t wait to try it. It would have been nice to know what you were brushing on the mug though.

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks! The stuff I brushed on was just different colors of clay slip. The clay I built the mug from fires to a creamy white color, these clays I added are just more attractive colors.

[@micheledickey4066]

@Always Watching HAHAHA. thanks for catching that!!

[@Aspen7780]

When I was first learning how to make mica pottery for cooking, I was told you were supposed to season it like cast iron. So I did exactly that. For me that was a mistake. The oils inside it when rancid and flavored the food badly. What worked for me was to put hot coffee in it and let it sit. I figured the acidity in the coffee eat off the oils, or something like that. Had to do it 3 or 4 times but it worked. Now no rancid smell. I cook in them but I don't season them any more. They season naturally with the food you cook in them. One thing I do though is clean them right away and don't let them sit with the food in them. I used a bowl for holding fruit and the fruit went bad on me and stained the bowl bottom. Again, it retained the smell a little but the coffee trick worked to rid it of any smell. But the stain remained.

[@mariannatodd7010]

Never knew about the riveted handle, thank you!

[@AncientPottery]

It comes form the ancient Anasazi potters from the Southwest. It is the strongest possible attachment method.

[@dashapetrova9582]

Hi Andy! Any chance you could share what kind of slip you are using on the dark blue tinted pottery in the background? It's beautiful. Not sure if you already have a video dedicated to foraging natural earth pigments/colors, but that would be a great one. Thanks!!

[@jenniferjackson2841]

I was curious about this also!

[@FishMH]

I am speechless, in awe of your skills ! They're beautiful

[@AncientPottery]

Glad you like them, thanks

[@codewordslinkydog]

I new this thought I'd try it thought it was easy some much more I need to learn

[@AncientPottery]

We all crawl before we run, keep going.

[@jcknives4162]

Great video Andy. I tried to buy some T-Shirts (X-Large) out of stock. Sad face but I’ll keep checking.

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks. Sorry those shirts were a limited run I ordered for the kind conference. More shirts are available here andy-wards-ancient-pottery.myspreadshop.com

[@glynnphillips9703]

They are wonderful sir

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks

[@eloisenordier4604]

Hi, your work is amazing ! I love how you show us accessible technics. Can you talk to us about salt glaze ? How is it effective, if it is fire resistant, etc... Can it be done in a fire like yours ?

[@AncientPottery]

Glaze is vastly over-rated. I never glaze my pottery as the glaze covers and hides the natural beauty of the clay. Salt glaze requires temperatures of around 1300 C which can only be achieved in a proper kiln.

[@Sam-hg7on]

Hi Andy, what a fantastic video! I’ve never made pottery before but I thought this was so cool I needed to follow along and try for myself. The video of how my mug turned out is on my channel (sadly youtube won't let me post link), it's not the prettiest but maybe ok for a beginner :) There were quite a few things that looked easy in the video that I ended up struggling with: - I dug my clay from a local creek and then tempered it with 20% sand. It felt good and passed the coil round finger test. However, I could not get it as smooth as yours seems to be, and then lots of small cracks started to form when drying. It was also quite sticky, when I tried cutting some off the top the clay snagged on the knife. - Keeping the coils vertical was a real challenge, the walls of my mug kept wanting to budge out. The weight from the handle stretched it more into an oval shape as well. Maybe this has sometime to do with the wet strength or plasticity of the clay? - I wood-fired it on a BBQ and I think it came out ok. However, there are scorch marks along with a strong smoke/ash smell that won’t come out even after several washings with dish soap. It would probably be gross to drink out of, maybe giving it some time to air out will help. All that said, if anyone is on the fence about giving it a go, do it! Even if your mug doesn’t turn out great, it’s still loads of fun. You are obviously truly passionate Andy and I look forward to watching this channel grow.

[@Sam-hg7on]

I'm thinking of giving this another go, maybe doing a few things differently. Might also change up my source of clay as that could have been one of the problems.

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks Sam, I'm off to find your video. Practice is the key to making improvement, we all have to crawl before we can walk.

[@AncientPottery]

really not bad for a first try.

[@SUF-py4ix]

I can’t begin to tell you how interesting I find these pottery videos. I’ve just been lucky enough to buy a house that has a river at the bottom of the garden in France. There must be alluvial clay and seeing your brick kiln I feel I’ve gotta make some pottery whether garden pots or similar. Super stuff thanks for sharing

[@tonibrowning8373]

Thanks!

[@AncientPottery]

Thank you, very generous of you!

[@traditionaltools5080]

Another fantastic video. Your style reminds me of black pottery used all over the world. South America, China, Tibet, etc. First time Ive seen that riveting method though. Very clever.

[@AncientPottery]

Thank you. The rivet method was common in the southwest in ancient times.

[@ludouglas1]

Very interesting handle assembly tho it made more places to secure wth coils to avoid cracking.

[@AncientPottery]

Rivet handles were common in this area in prehistoric times. They are super strong.

[@shazzorama]

These are really beautiful. Thanks so much for teaching us! ❤

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks and you're welcome

[@szxnv]

Awsome!

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks!

[@PartanBree]

Rapeseed oil (canola oil) would be a good candidate for sealing these. It's flavourless, and it's a good oil for seasoning cast iron pans, so I think it would be good for this too. And because it's liquid at room temperature, it would be easier to get an even thin coat than the shortening. Ideally you want several thin coats rather than one thick coat.

[@AncientPottery]

Great idea

[@stephenwalford774]

Great video and getting better with those close up shots...perfect timing as was on my next list of pots to make...thanks again Andy

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks. I am glad you liked it, also working at being a better videographer, I have to wear many hats.

[@saracobian7249]

Joel Queen burnishes with glass marbles inside cookware. Maybe that could help?

[@AncientPottery]

I have heard of this but never tried it. thanks.

[@june4952]

Today, I watched this video because I needed calm and comfort. Your videos are beautiful, inspiring, and just super cool. I have just recently gotten into gathering and using native clay over here in the southeast US, as a total novice, and my soul wishes I had started doing this many years earlier. Keep the invaluable information coming. Watching you make things is a great substitute for doing it myself when I'm just too tired to create.

[@schmitzkatzewupper]

Danke nach dieser Technik habe ich die ganze Zeit gesucht ... ein tolles Video

[@AncientPottery]

danke schön

[@bigbranch1]

Wow really nice....love the paint and designs......thank you.

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks Allen, glad you enjoyed it.

[@ElizabethBattle]

Filling mugs and bowls with white vinegar and letting them sit for several hours would help kill germs, I'd think. Thanks for such an informative video!

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks, I might try this.

[@aim....]

Andy you didn’t have to coat them with paint or oil or anything! I always find some clay made glasses, bottles and jugs or mugs because the smell n taste of natural clay/soil is kinda super cool. I’m fully invested into computer codes n networking but I wanna do it sometimes. Watching your videos is always relaxing n entertaining. 👍🏻 Tysm for another nice tutorial ✊🏻

[@AncientPottery]

Thank you, glad you are enjoying my videos.

[@anniehartley8851]

I have never seen handles done like that before, I did ceramics, nope, that is ingenious, bonkers, love it, very natural, no glaze, I´ve burnished stuff, so I know it holds liquid, different.

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks. These are called rivet handles and were common in the ancient Southwest.

[@CeeJayKay]

That’s really beautiful music you’re playing in the background.

[@bondpaz]

You are so good! I love your mugs! I need to go back to Sedona and get some red clay.🤗

[@AncientPottery]

Thank you so much. Does Sedona have good clay?

[@Morbiddeadcat]

Yes sir... feel the passion in your videos...

[@AncientPottery]

Thank you

[@QuailCanyonAnthropolgy]

Those mugs turned out great! Did you do any attempt to smother them in the kiln by covering up the door and top of the kiln? I believe sealing an olla would be practical, for storage purposes, but the liquid in a mug or a bowl gets consumed too quickly to seal. If the slow seepage bothers someone, then they should probably stick with ceramic mugs from the store. Those of us who prefer primitive life, do not care as much about minor seepage. Thanks for a great video, Andy! Very nice pieces!

[@AncientPottery]

No, I wasn't interested in trying to reduce these. It would probably be hard to seal that kiln, 2 air holes on the sides, the gothic arch in the front, then tearing down my ad-hoc chimney while the bricks are smoking hot to seal it would be a huge chore, but might prove interesting. Yeah, I agree, a little seepage is not a big deal, I just wanted to prove that it was easy to reduce the seepage to almost nothing. Thanks!

[@deanatankersley6851]

Absolutely love this video..so inspiring. Haven't done any clay projects in a while..miss it so much.. just the feel of the clay..😍😍 I'm so wanting to try the mug. Thank you so much for your experienced advice and clay knowledge.👌👍 Just found your channel, and I am hooked already.😊

[@AncientPottery]

Thank you so much. I'm glad you are enjoying my videos, I hope they inspire you to do more with clay.

[@SnowStorm-Yeti]

You are very knowledgeable about ceramics but... I can't help but hear bubbles nova scotia accent from Trailer Park boys in my head while you're doing the presentation. Love the presentation and the tutorial.

[@LissieMac]

I want you to know that you've inspired me to do ceramics again after 50 yr absence. I have stg 3 evasive ductal carcinoma, so I need something to occupy my long days. One of the chemo drugs carboplatin causes neuropathy, so decorating will be interesting. Thank you young man for getting me excited about life again. Found a new place in Tahlequah that has classes & a kiln. Yeah!! Going to hopefully move to Tahlequah by July. Thank you again! Wado Sgi (Cherokee for thank you) Mary Elisabeth

[@AncientPottery]

That's great, I am so glad I could inspire you. I wonder if the place in Tahlequah teaches traditional Cherokee coil pottery, that would be awesome. I used to live on Oklahoma so I have been to Tahlequah.

[@markirish7599]

Sending you healing love ❤ from Ireland 🇮🇪. Hope you are keeping well

[@LissieMac]

Andy I was so surprised to get your email!!! It's been a little rough in the hospital once &2xs isolation at home & starting today in home isolation again because my WBCs being .3 cut off is 4. Your note ment the world because they found nodules in my lungs but still fighting & still in Stilwell sounds like a country music song lol 😅 anyway not moving to Tahlequah & no classes so I saw a video of you doing a bowel at home & would Hobby Lobby be a good source for clay. Can't fire here but at least I can make something, if I can't be out I'll do it in my apt. Want to hear all about your trip to Ireland. Nice weather right ??lol😁 Will you send out a newsletter or a video on your trip? Learn any new techniques? I never think of the Irish doing pottery but unless they had a lot if trees or shells had to have something to eat out of & to cook in. Looking forward to hearing about your travels. Thank you again , & glad you came home safe & sound!!

[@markirish7599]

@@LissieMac blessings from Ireland 🇮🇪 🙏

[@LissieMac]

@@markirish7599 I apologize, thought I was writing to Andy Ward. Miss comication on my part. Just disregard earlier ramblings from me.. It was an opps😬😮

[@SeekingTheLoveThatGodMeans7648]

Oh, when Googling around on this strangely fascinating subject, I found one homeschool project page that had used a galvanized incinerator can to fire their pottery project, whereupon someone wrote them to warn them of toxic zinc vapors from galvanized metal. I'd not think that an incinerator can would be galvanized if this was a serious problem outside, but anyhow at the least the zinc may be vaporized off of your galvanized tub (and shouldn't be breathed) and leave it far more vulnerable to rusting, so if it's to be reused keep it in a dry place and don't let it get water on it during future firings. If the zinc gets on the pottery this won't be toxic, but this could create an effect on the pottery that won't be duplicated the second time around. Homemade whatever is so fascinating.

[@AncientPottery]

The toxicity burns off in the first firing and I have some of these I have been using for years that haven't rusted out yet, although yes technically they are more susceptible to rust now. Of course I live is a fairly dry climate too.

[@mr.f613]

Great mug! I’m making one tomorrow! That’s the first I’ve seen of that type of handle joinery. Very interesting.

[@amytaylor1909]

I really appreciate this!

[@yary1982]

Your work is beautiful!

[@AncientPottery]

Thank you so much!

[@soniasantiagorivera6116]

Truly loved this particular video to the point to suscribe. You are a great teacher!

[@AncientPottery]

Wow, thank you!

[@kdizzlegrizzle82]

I liked the video, makes the subject approachable to a newbie. Some advice on the oiling. Maybe treat it like cast iron, use canola oil so you can get a thinner more even coat? Maybe treat let it sit overnight to absorb, buff it then heat it? Rinse and repeat? Id be interested to see a video with multiple sealing techniques. If I were to give one of them as a gift I wouldn't want to give a high maintenance item to an avid coffee drinker who might be a bit lazy like my elderly mother. She's not likely to do more than wash the thing between uses, and she uses heaps of milk and sugar in her brew. Anyway I rambled on. Good video.

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks. I have a video with multiple sealing techniques brewing in my mind right now.

[@user-sl1hf8fy6l]

Great channel, some truly valuable survival skills here

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks!

[@lapboard340]

Food grade linseed oil is fine. Linseed (a.k.a. flax) oil, walnut oil and tung oil polymerize and all make purdy good sealers. I like walnut oil. Thanks for all your work making these videos!

[@AncientPottery]

You're welcome and thanks for the tips. I want to try this in a video soon.

[@lapboard340]

@@AncientPottery These oils take quite some time to polymerize. Linseed oil takes the longest. Walnut oil is tasteless.

[@troyedwards8100]

Beautiful mugs mate. I have just started pit firing from local clays from the Kimberly region in Australia. Our land is rich in Iron so they fire to a bright red. Some survive but most fall apart so still working out the grog part of things. I hope I will have better luck using crushed, fired clay (from my mishaps). I have gotten most of my advice from your channel so I would like to say thank you for what you are doing. You make some amazing stuff. Next step will be making a kiln like one of yours. Thanks heaps and take care.

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks Troy, glad you are able to learn from my content.

[@vste8]

This video was a great find, awesome to see the whole process. One question, how long was it from the inicial fire to the wood, until the last flame ceased to burn? Thanks

[@AncientPottery]

about 2 hours

[@oddacious0ne]

Do you have a video about "stone smoothing?"

[@AncientPottery]

Not specifically about that but I do talk about it frequently in my pottery building videos like this one. kzbin.info/www/bejne/enfdZHRur5yLp5Y

[@SeekingTheLoveThatGodMeans7648]

There are food grade RTV and non-RTV silicones too which might do an even better job of sealing and not being vulnerable to rancidity as fats and oils might.

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks for that tip.

[@SeekingTheLoveThatGodMeans7648]

@@AncientPottery I checked one source that suggested earthenware can withstand baking to 450F. If correct, that's well within the range of silicone tolerance though it would burn fats and oils, and would suggest a way of ensuring maximum silicone penetration. You'd really end up with a silicone lined earthenware vessel, a combination of ancient technology and modern chemistry. But it could also withstand baking use and, if completely coated, even washing in a dishwasher (which will also sanitize) and in soapy water. Maybe it would be worth long term testing on a single test piece because a successful process would boost the utility of the vessel greatly. Weighing the piece could help detect whether it absorbs anything more after being siliconed when filled with water. The absorption might well be zero if the silicone coating got deep enough (especially RTV which solidifies). If too thick, cured RTV will crumble up when rubbed, which could be a way of removing excess from the earthenware. Porous vessels that get hot repeatedly tend not to be known as food hazards. Certainly cast iron pans don't. Ancients cooked in their earthenware too somehow, so it's got to be possible in principle. Yes, test, test, test... that's doubtless how the ancients did it with their pottery until something usable developed. The materials, at least, are cheap and failures frustrating and maybe mess making but not bank breaking.

[@zippytippie453]

Great mugs.

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks Zippy!

[@ariannaosmar3894]

Hi Andy, These are so so beautiful! I am so inspired by your craft. I’m living in Tucson and have been teaching myself how to harvest and process clay here. I’m especially interested in keeping everything primitive and natural and wonder what kind of paint your using?

[@AncientPottery]

Hi Arianna, thank you. The white is a clay I collect on the Mogollon Rim, the yellow is a yellow ochre that is also from the Mogollon Rim. The red is a mixture of hematite and red clay.

[@natethrottle4064]

Hi, i really like your vids. I am a newbie in Pottery. May I know what is the liquid coating you put after forming the mug? The one you put before painting them design? Also what kind of paint is safe to use for such a mug? Thank you so much. More power to you.

[@AncientPottery]

It was a slip, just a watery clay used to add color. Well clay is pretty safe, I'm not sure I would add manganese or lead unless I made sure it was extremely stable. The iron oxide I used is fairly safe.

[@llanitedave]

Very nice mugs, I definitely want to try that! My head is full of questions, but I'll limit them to three. :) 1. Is that white cylinder you used during the burnishing a homemade tool? Did you treat the surface in any way? It almost looks like porcelain. 2. Are the mugs dishwasher safe? Can you use detergent on them, or does that remove the sealing material. 3. I'm very impressed with that brick kiln. Are you getting more use out of it lately? Does the "jury-rigged" chimney give higher firing temperatures? How is it holding up over time. (I built a crude fire ring out of partly welded stuff, but the rock spelled badly in the flame.) Sorry for so many questions, but I find these videos immensely inspiring.

[@AncientPottery]

1. Sorry, I should have labeled that. It was the handle to a pharmacist's pestle and it was in fact porcelain. 2. The dishwasher might remove the oils, especially over time. I would worry more that the dishwasher would strip off my paint over time too. The oil can be reapplied, the paint, not so much. I would treat it like I do a favorite sweater and hand wash, but I think it could go through the dishwasher. 3. Yes, the kiln is doing well for me. The ad-hoc chimney makes a big difference I think, creating more draw. Maybe you should try again with something other than that stone that doesn't like the fire.

[@oldugly9295]

@@AncientPottery one of the mugs i made and used for coffee, i put it in the dishwasher after every use. after about 25 times the mug developed some hairline cracks in the bottom. i don't know why this happened but i thought maybe the heat cycles of the dishwasher affected the moisture inside the porous clay some how, some expansion maybe, i don't know. it never leaked and never wetted the table. it never picked up any weird dishwasher tasted, such as soap. i wash my mugs by hand now.

[@chilkakanika1456]

They are simply gorgeous! With what did you color them?

[@AncientPottery]

The white and yellow are clay slips, the red is mineral paint. Thanks

[@ashleysovilla2037]

Beautiful!

[@AncientPottery]

Thank you!

[@lfcrafts]

Great stuff on here! My kids and I just made our first primitive pottery fire the other day and it turned out great- we just found your channel today and are so inspired! Thank you for sharing your knowledge and for not being afraid to try new things- I never knew you could waterproof a pot using lard/crisco! too bad about the colors but now we know :) l love how you use historical style pottery for modern use! (Always have to have that coffee cup lol) Best wishes

[@FinnBearOfficial]

I bet crisco is not as good as lard. I mean it is inferior in cooking as well. Once the spring comes, I'm gonna give this a go with my kids.

[@crowstudios300]

Really really loved this video!!

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks a lot!

[@sagesmokesurvival]

I’d try cranking the temperature a little more. I assume the trick is to polymerize the oil, just like how cast iron is seasoned so it becomes glaze like. I do my pans at 400F, sometimes a little higher. Just a thought. Great work as always!!

[@AncientPottery]

Great, I appreciate the insight. I will give it a try.

[@tanja1253]

Hi from Germany… you also can try a Milk Burning … I love this technique 👍🏼

[@AncientPottery]

Yes, thanks. I have a video about milk sealing.

[@wonderwond]

something you could try for your next video,, 2 part food safe epoxy resin,, mix the two parts, brush on in the inside of the bowl or mug ? would it work ?

[@AncientPottery]

Probably would

[@markirish7599]

Can i ask how much the mug was on sale for and did it sell .thank you for another fantastic video full of wonderful information

[@AncientPottery]

$85 and it is sold.

[@cfel6879]

Good stuff mate

[@AncientPottery]

Much appreciated

[@jimlahey5354]

Your videos are just so good. Tip of the hat to you sir. PS. 200F coffee will annihilate most bacteria.

[@AncientPottery]

Good point. Thank you.

[@SapphireRadioactive]

I wonder if coconut oil would work? 🤔 Awesome video by the way 👏

[@AncientPottery]

Probably would

[@stephenwalford774]

Just a thought on the sealing issue.. We cook outside with a Moroccan clay tagine over coals sometimes..long slow cook for a few hours.. the tagines are made of red heavy grogged clay..hand built... after cooking wash with water..the only sealing they get it from the olive oil when cooking. ..When using one for the first time, simply submerse in water for a few hours to stop it cracking when on the heat..

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks for that tip. Of course a mug is a little different than a cooking vessel as it is never sat on the fire and doesn't get as hot. But this is good information. I plan on making a cooking pot video very soon.

[@butchncasey]

I watched a video on how to treat a clay pot for food use. She first soaked it in water overnight before treating with oil and putting it in the oven, obviously after it had been fired. I asked her and she said its a once only thing, doesn't need to be done repeatedly, and they use this for cooking all the time.

[@Der_Kleine_Mann]

Maybe treating it like a cast iron pan would work. Putting a thin layer of oil on the inside and putting it in an oven, then heating it up over 500°C to the smoke point of the oil, and then continuing this process up to three times. Which would color the inside black of course, but it should seal it pretty well I quess.

[@AncientPottery]

Yes I believe that would work, thanks

[@uyuy5131]

Nice video. Just wondering what you use for the painting and decorating.

[@rebeccapacebajona8172]

Thankyou for all the tips.. Would submerging a small jug in milk be a good idea?

[@JaySav916]

Do you think periodically boiling water in these vessels would help draw out any unwanted liquids that seeped into the pottery?

[@AncientPottery]

That might work. I think any amount of heating and cooking in the pot occasionally will kill whatever bacteria might be hiding within.

[@recombinantgems]

in ancient sites in Britain smooth quartz pebbles have been found. Could these have been used for burnishing clay?

[@AncientPottery]

Definitely

[@mswoolysheep123]

Great video. I was wondering about how old pottery was made watertight before modern glazes. I'm wanting to make a Tatingware jug as an SCA project but am having a difficult time finding sources of information...lots of quick articles that arent much more than 'hey look at this cool thing'. I havent found any refences about its construction in period yet. Would you happen to know of some books on the subject?

[@zzador]

Why not Line Seed oil? It's also food grade oil (at least it's sold as cooking oil). Line Seed Oil has a slow polymerization effect when coming in contact with air. That's the reason why they used it to seal ship hulls back in the days. It should work better as a sealing oil then any other oil.

[@AncientPottery]

I just recently learned about food grade linseed oil, I want to try it soon. Thanks.

[@SkylerLinux]

On the Lard v Shortning, Cast Iron comunity has found they're almost the same; however Lard for Cast Iron is better. As to them feeling Oily and the Discolouration, I might suggest a higher Temp. I know that I put my Cast Iron in the oven at 500F but cold and do it an hour for 1:15 then just turn the oven off and let it cool down slowly. Also I put at least three coats, but 5-6 is much better.

[@AncientPottery]

Great tips thanks. Cast iron seasoning is very similar.

[@alyxlessthan3]

Giveaway Very nice mugs. Thanks for another great video. I have always been interested as to if we could use beeswax as a sealant. I don't think it would be along term solution but I think it would hold up well being used for cold drinks, or for sealing a salad bowl. Also I think Crisco could be a great option for sealing pots but much like a cast iron pan I think you'd need a couple coats, a high heating (To build a carbon layer on the surface) but I think the outcome would be a blackened vessel. As always your videos have given me a new idea to run with. Thank you

[@AncientPottery]

I don't think it is necessary to blacken the grease, as the way my friend Matts was using lard he was merely applying and allowing to soak in. The oil itself provides a suitable moisture barrier. But I'm not expert, I am learning too.

[@6bonjour]

Nice video, now I have another project on my list.

[@animatorgeek]

I fully disagree re it turning the pot black. Polymerized oil is clear and a little brown. I wouldn't expect it to do anything more than deepen and warm the color of the decoration. The reason cast iron turns black is a combination of baked/burnt food and oxidation from the iron. Neither of those will happen with a ceramic pot, since you're unlikely to use direct heat for cooking in them. If the oil soaks into the clay, I would expect one coat to be enough, though two might give you a longer-term seal. Anyway, this is fascinating -- I never considered sealing with oil before watching this video. I'll be taking a ceramics class soon and I may give it a try on one or two pieces of bisqueware.

[@ashleydoyle9794]

Is the inside slip needed to make it functional or can you just seal it once fired? I recently found your channel and I might be obsessed now. I've always wanted to get into ceramics but I'm intimidated by electric and gas kilns. I have plans to build a kiln from mud soon and I'm super excited to start firing, are the clay covers necessary too? Should that be my first project?

[@AncientPottery]

No the inside slip will help make it more waterproof but it is not needed. No those sherds I put on top are not required either. I have had trouble getting the atmosphere right in this brick kiln so those just help hold in heat and air around the pots. Have fun!

[@tricialee5]

Nice video. Informative. Did I miss the "corn meal" technique that you mentioned would happen at the end of the process???

[@AncientPottery]

No, I changed my mind mid-video and decided to use oil instead.

[@tavinconstable9784]

I must ask Andy, what do you use for your red paint and white slip. I have been following some of your videos and at this point I am about to make some mugs for my dad and don’t know what to use. Love your videos btw ❤❤

[@AncientPottery]

Red can be red ochre or red clay, white is a low-fire white clay. You could probably benefit from my online masterclass "Natural Pottery Paints, Slips & Pigments" - ancientpottery.how/courses/natural-pottery-paints-slips-and-pigments/

[@tavinconstable9784]

@@AncientPottery thank you so much I will put a video up on my KZbin channel once I finish some mugs 🙂

[@bje2920]

Nice work I used bear fat that I cooked down in my mugs it works great

[@AncientPottery]

Awesome, that's the real thing!

[@bje2920]

@@AncientPottery thank you

[@christinerobinson9372]

I have no experience with pottery and have no idea what I'm talking about but this question sprang to mind: did you use vegetable shortening (Crisco) or beef lard? I'm guessing that Native Americans would have used animal fat.

[@AncientPottery]

Sure they didn't have vegetable shortening which I used but this pot was not 100% made the ancient way, the ancients also didn't have brick kilns like I used to fire them. Some of my videos are about authentic replication of ancient pottery and some are just about making pottery with primitive means.

[@alyxlessthan3]

I have a question about your Salado style pottery you replicate. You have mentioned that the archaeological evidence in your area does not show proof of pit firing but what I wonder is this. If you dug a small whole in the earth and put in a small amount of grass or what not, dropped your red hot pot in and covered it up. Basically Raku the pots. Would that produce enough heat in the hole to discolor the dirt and leave something that would be noticeable 1000+ years later? Often they can tell kilns and such because the fire is so hot that it leaves a permanent change in the dirt. Like partly fired clay. But I don't think this would happen just from putting a hot pot into a hole. Maybe that could be the secret to keeping your blacks black? What do you think about the idea?

[@AncientPottery]

This idea might be practical for some form of reduced iron pottery such as Mimbres. But Salado requires an abundance of oxygen to get good reds, your reds would come out very dark if they cooled smothered in a hole. I might try something like this for reduced iron paint though, my only concern would be the organic matter in the earth, roots and whatnot, you might want to build a fire in the hole before using it to clean that stuff out so it won't smudge the pottery black.