The Strangest Handles I've Ever Made

New mug shares require new handles, and this video is my first dive into creating pottery handles that are more angular in nature, as to match the mugs these will be attached too, eventually. These are my initial experiments. I learn a HUGE amount throughout this process and can't say I like all of the designs either... Which handle do you like??
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⏱ • Timecodes:
0:00 - Introduction
0:25 - Trimming the cylindrical mugs
3:17 - Pulling the handle blanks
4:24 - Pulling the handles on the mugs
5:46 - WHY I'm doing this
6:29 - Altering the pulled handles shape
8:17 - Sponge-on-a-stick / Diddlers
9:03 - Carving the handles
13:12 - Fixing the rims and bases using a 'chuck'
13:37 - Discussing what I like, and don't like.
15:46 - THANKS FOR WATCHING, (and pre-order plug)
*It's worth noting! That you won't get the same results as I do if you're firing in oxidation. The reduction firing really helps with this process.
*I throw using both a Rohde HMT 500 & 600 potter's wheel and fire using Rohde kilns too, the electric is a TE-200 and the gas kiln is a KG-340.
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Website - www.floriangadsby.com

[@robertl4522]

I like mugs with angular handles so they don't slip around your hand causing you to spill your drink.

[@chauphammatser3011]

As a beginner I really appreciate these kinds of experiments to see that it’s okay to learn this way.

[@jennawhitecloud5680]

Florian, thank you so much for being willing to be vulnerable in your creative process. I just want to affirm that THIS is exactly what all learners need to see. If some potters feel that this isn’t important, then they have closed off their learning potential. Thank you from all of us that just bask in the richness of the creative soup. What a joy! ❤❤❤

[@nancyseavitt1587]

I love this. I don’t know why I never thought of carving the handle. I only thought about pulling it to the right thickness. But I can see the carving really adds refinement. I love the handlings that are squared off and have a nice place to rest your thumb. Nice work. Thanks

[@zweigackroyd7301]

I enjoy very much seeing what you do with your pots and the effects you attempt. It is always good to expose oneself to different approaches and aesthetic sensibilities. My own preference is for the organic feel in a vessel made of clay rather than the sharp angles you develop, but that makes it especially valuable to see your work and think about those differences.

[@okapikeeper8542]

I love the one with the squared off handle -- it really complements the simplicity of the mug shape. I'd love to see one in your next shop update!

[@melaniebuckley1772]

My favourites are the two with the flat tops. As someone with mobility issues the squarer flat topped one appeals as it looks easier to hold but the curved flat top one is visually more appealing. It would be interesting to see one of your more angular mugs with these handles. As usual a lovely relaxing video to end the day with.

[@intothebreak571]

My favorites were the last 2 you displayed at the end ,the triangular one and the one you said it’s your favorite. My favorite aspect of the one you referred to as looking like a tankard was how minimalist the top of the handle emerges from the cup. Great work and these handles do give your already fantastically modern yet organic work more intention. Bravo👏

[@alexandraframe6493]

The best part of your vlogs is your honesty and explaining what your doing. I feel more relax about the process, it’s really been an amazing journey.

[@guillermodeltortle]

I'm not a ceramicist, but I do love making things and I think it's important to show other experiments, successes, and failures! That's all part of the creative process and learning things. It also helps others with their imposter syndrome when they see folks that they might idolize struggle a bit with their own creativity or makes. It removes the sort of sanitization filter we have online now where everything must be "perfect" before you post it. It removes a lot of the humanity of work and the act of making! Anyway, soapbox done. Love seeing your creative process and that you share it!

[@LoveLifeYT]

These are all lovely, but my favorite is also your favorite - just beautiful!! 💜☕

[@floriangadsby]

Pleased you like this strange bunch of handles - thanks so much for taking your precious time to watch.

[@LoveLifeYT]

@@floriangadsby Your videos always make my day 😍

[@buggydust]

the squarish handle is nice but i agree the mug does end up looking like a small tankard. i really like the one you picked as your favorite, but i have to say the super pointy one is also very intriguing!

[@Ro-ex2wn]

Really appreciate you sharing this initial trialling with us whilst your ideas evolve. It really helps us newbs understand the development of a unique personal style takes so much trial and error. The first two pots on the left in the final shot are absolutely divine, and so elegantly in keeping with your style! Very inspiring 😮 thank you as always

[@patspotpage]

Thanks for posting your process. It helps a lot! I actually like the triangular one, but for a mug that has more angles in it. They're all great though, and I can't wait to see how they look once glazed.

[@Enn-]

I wish more potters would work on better handles. It's really disappointing to find a beautiful mug with an awkward handle that seems designed to cause the mug to pivot as the handle slides through your fingers, or the hand to strain to hold it in place.

[@Alex_0Z]

i never thought about changing the shape of the handle on pots, def it something i’ll have to try out now!

[@JayBirdJay]

I love all of them, in that they represent creative bravery! Thank you for sharing the process. All in all, great stuff!

[@nathaliecarriere1]

Hello Florian. It it difficult to say which one I like best as I can't name them. Numbering or naming each one would have helped me answer you more accurately. The only distinct one is the triangle. It is not my favorite :) Thank you for sharing your process. It is very helpful in my development as a beginner.

[@koltreagle4704]

these are great. so different from the usual handles. the shapes remind me of the rune on the bottom. square handle is my favorite

[@frankhott179]

First rate as usual. I studied my handle (having coffee while watching) and decided I am quite pleased with my extruded handle and it’s curve. You’ve taught me that I can modify my handles in ways I didn’t suspect possible. Thanks Florian, best wishes to you and yours!

[@amandabryan9386]

Thank you for another fantastic video and for sharing your experimentation! My favorite handle was the “tankard”. I liked its proportion, that you can rest your thumb on the top surface, and keep your fingers away from a hot mug. However, I liked the handle a little more before you emphasized its angularity. There is something nice about its softer lines and subtly that doesn’t scream or jump up & down terribly much. Beautiful yet humble. 😊

[@ellaa5528]

Your work is incredible! thank you for sharing your knowledge

[@usforsarah]

I like angular handles! They all look pretty.

[@ingerlouise]

i really like that more square shaped handle! it’s was fun watching you experiment with new forms and hope to see some of them added to your shop mugs in the future 😊

[@xbaczewska4197]

They are lovely together, without picking faves--I am sure even more so when glazed. I liked what you said about the "hint of angularity" being all that's really needed. I think I prefer "your favourite." Great video. I liked seeing your body language in the first half. Thanx for sharing the process.

[@jacobbroe5279]

I also like your final favorite handle. It plays very well with your ‘chunky form’ and adds a hint of finesse in the right dose, for me. It’s not competing for attention with the main shape. A very very well proportioned, symbiosis.

[@ghouling1111]

Something to add- for me and my little hands- I despise handles that only fit 2 fingers.. they hurt my fingers and hand.. so maybe different handles for different hand sizes as well is something to keep in mind? As an artist I really appreciate your words around showing the learning process. It resonated with me and my own fears to show up as a beginner in different mediums. Thank you.

[@ragnkja]

Handles that fit two "average" fingers tend to be a really awkward size for my little hands as well, because they're too small to fit three fingers into, but trying to hold them with two fingers in the handle is painfully awkward.

[@chubs2312]

I think the mugs he's making are expresso mugs and are very small. That combined with the fact that he trims his cups very thin should mean that it's quite easy to hold with two fingers

[@ragnkja]

@@chubs2312 Those of us who have hands the size of mine and OP’s can find *plastic* mugs with two-finger-handles painful because it’s not the weight of the mug that’s the problem, it’s how we have to hold our fingers to keep it stable.

[@chubs2312]

@@ragnkja I thought it was the weight. I understand

[@billmiller9145]

Love the V handle!

[@susannechristensen5398]

You are an amazing potter. Can’t wait to see your book 🌞

[@LunaBeth97]

I always thought youtubers were using some sort of hyperbole when they said that a video wasn't sent out to some of their subscribers but I think that might have happened here. It could've just been me not noticing it in my subscription feed but I generally watch your videos asap as I find them simultaneously fascinating and calming. At least I'm watching it now though!

[@jasonb6570]

I really like watching the process of experimentation.

[@subcatboy]

these look dope and im looking forward to seeing the glaze settle on them

[@sohamsengupta6470]

The squarish handle really does make the piece look like a tankard, but that just makes me love it even more. Very neat.

[@dianekroplin-pt4nm]

So generous to share your design process. Next level challenge: which handle speaks to each angular mug.

[@Enn-]

I liked the shape of the sharp triangular handle before you adjusted it, as the organic corner seemed better than the sharper one. Of the finished handles, I was most drawn to the one with both a high and low bend, and liked it both before and after you'd adjusted it. I look forward to seeing them glazed.

[@chestspike]

Love your work Florian!!

[@buddyneher9359]

15:47 whenever I see a lineup of 4 anythings, I think of the Beatles. From left to right, I'm seeing Paul, Ringo, George and John. Unsurprisingly, I think Paul is the handsomest 🤩 though of course they are all stars in their own right 👍

[@paulinemegson8519]

Florian, I agree with what you said about the “hint of angularity”. That’s really all that’s required. You don’t need to replicate the angles of your mug body, just echo it to help bring the two things, the angular body, and handle together visually. Remember the body of the mug itself is rounded no matter how many angles you put into it, so too much angularity in the handle creates a dissonance that jars the eye…..and tbh is less than comfortable to use. That’s why that handle that combines the angled outer, and gently curved inner, looked so satisfying, in that it brought together the different shapes harmoniously. With the “tankard” mug, that handle should maybe, “lean into” the tankard shape more and be placed higher up on the body? For some reason that shape looked taller/narrower than the others, but on reflection, I think that’s just my eye being tricked…..having said that, I feel that a higher position on the body would “balance” better, but that’s just me. As for your “problem child” lol, yes the handle weight is out…..more meat and heft is required, but perhaps a less regular shape would help…it “does” kinda look “stuck on” atm…..perhaps joined at the top, angling down, and then straight across to rejoin the body fairly close to the base, leaving room for a steadying finger below the handle? Or vice versa lol. Not sure how that would perform for hot beverages tho….it could force the fingers against the hot mug body which wouldn’t be good. In any case they’re all workable and I do like all of them…..and while the outlier for you is maybe “less” successful, I don’t think it’s too bad for a first iteration lol. Cant wait to see them glazed.

[@stellahsgroove]

I love them all...thank you ❤️

[@nocturnhabeo]

The tankard is great personally. I like the two non triangle ones more than the triangle and the one you liked more I agree is better.

[@coryrain3937]

I would refer to your favorite at the Spock handle shape. I liked the squarish one best, as you said for future experiments, thin and left I carved after the initial shaping.

[@coryrain3937]

Also, that triangle handle probably looks great hanging from a peg. Give that a try before you give up on it. They have a life in our hands, but there is a life they live when not in use as well.

[@XDproductionsXD]

Dang Florian...Over 1 million subs. The way you deliver and teach, your voice, editing....YT n Pottery boss~

[@elisabethbenders-hyde5286]

I like the first handle you made, particularly the rounded interior of the angle. The other angles seemed too thin to me

[@emilybradford1870]

Another Great video. I have the worst trouble getting the pottery and the handles to be at the same consistency.

[@floriangadsby]

Cheers Emily! It's tricky. Wrapping them up to dry slowly really helps - it's just one of those processes that you can't rush. Hopefully there's some tips in this video that might help.

[@craftedbyorre]

Your favorite reminds me of the Jasper Conran Strata teapot and mug.

[@galacticmechanic1]

It does look like a squat tankard, your right. It will be cool to see these handles or similar attached to mugs or pots that shape compliments them nicely, but they looks quite nice on theses mugs too.

[@bobcalhoun3714]

Excellent video on the process. I agree that one of those ends up looking like a short tankard. The top joint of some of the handles look quite low down on the mugs. My eye wants to raise them up 1/4" but I may be too attached to symmetry or perhaps the ergonomics of the handle is better?

[@jackiemorrison2661]

You are an amazing potter!

[@floriangadsby]

Too kind. Thanks for taking your time to watch!

[@gingermany6223]

As a former ceramic artist, I agree handles were always the part of mugs I found the most difficult to get “right”. I tried some pretty bizarre shapes in an effort to avoid bog standard pulled handles!

[@minipott]

I actually relaly liked the triangular handle, before you removed a lot of the material 😅I have a mug my friend made that has a triangular handle and I'm always so surprised everytie i pick it up by just how comfortable it is to hold, its really nice. But I also love the one that is your favourite!

[@metathetrashcan365]

We're reaching peak Gadsby with the amount of angles on these

[@lynxg4641]

Form should always follow function, not the other way around, especially with a mug that'll be holding very hot liquids. As someone who uses very big mugs, the biggest problem I find in finding ones that work and are easy to balance/use is the ones with the top that slopes down, hard to exert leverage with your thumb to keep the mug upright. Looking at what you've created in this video, I think that all would work, except maybe handle 2, with that slope I'd have issues with the leverage if it was on one of my sized mugs (about the size of 3 regular cups).

[@naphn8453]

To me, your favorite looks like an elf ear. :) I also think it was the best as it's both angular, and graceful.

[@mackea1]

Have you ever considered making some slip cast molds for you mugs or handles? They can be very useful. But don't know if it is practical with the type of clay you use.

[@natewygant8085]

I would say that the triangular “monstrosity” handle would be better fitted on a mug that has at least one more angle on the body itself if that makes sense. The point in the middle of the handle clashes with the mostly flat outline of the mug body as opposed to the flat top handles which compliment the flat walls of the mug that sharply end at the top.

[@loukookachoo1]

I love you're favorite as well. It reminds me of an elf ear. ❤

[@YotamGuttman]

once you figure out a handle shape you like that's a little more elaborate than your simple usual ones, is it a bad idea making casting moulds and simply sticking the cast handles on to your mugs other than having to pull and then reshape each one? the only problem I can potentially think of is that your groggy clay may not be ideal for mould casting?

[@eb282]

Your favorite one sort of looks like an ear or maybe an elf like ear shape

[@carriemacdonald8680]

Where do you get the trimming chuck? how is it attached to the wheel? I'm a beginner. Thanks

[@DontchadaretouchIT]

Just started watching. You mentioned it being the most terrible pot you've thrown as of recent. Seeing is believing. EDIT: Yeah, okay the triangle idea might've gone a bit far

[@jasonb6570]

I think I like the 3 sided one most 🤔

[@MumrikDK]

3/4 of that thumbnail are completely standard and popular handles, at least where I'm from.

[@chrzzzzz]

You'd probably like typography. It's all about curves, weights, transitions, balance and contrast.

[@floriangadsby]

I love typography!

[@TheCoctor]

Im really like the creativity when it comes to the topics of your more recent videos. Its always something interesting i havent seen before, which is even more impressive considering how repetitive production pottery can be

[@Seagoatsunday]

💗

[@denisenoble4010]

Without this 'research' you are doing to these mugs and more so their handles, you work would not progress and as you've said before progress can be seen by your work in the early days of your career and where you are now. Most potters only show you good works of art, not necessarily how they got there and certainly not all the processes in between, so thank-you for this, ive enjoyed your 'lets see what happens if i do this' thought processes. As i side note, although not practical at all, i liked your spiky triangle handle. Keep potting and showing us how your head works and i will keep watching with interest. X😊

[@jakethomas6123]

I can see a Link mug where his elf ear is a handle.

[@ms.radfeminist375]

My handles constantly crack. Doesn't matter how long I leave them under plastic to dry. What am I doing wrong? 😭

[@RAA_1984]

Супер!

[@NateRidgway-gl5vq]

Mr.knott "my ceramics teacher" makes everybody who wants to put a handle on a peice put it 3po different handles on a plastic jug before you get to keep a handled peice

[@intothebreak571]

10:33 edgy😎🤭hehe I really like!!!

[@MrLewooz]

for me weirder the handles are the better it is...

[@codysikels4156]

In America “diddlers” get prison sentences

[@d0pomein]

I don't think it's your aesthetic for angles, but I think a great cup handle would be like a sling ring from Dr.Strange. Too curvy for you.

[@b.c.9358]

Diddlers, huh?

[@HmmmmmLemmeThinkNo]

Ah. It's such a shame you support Rogan. Bye

[@floriangadsby]

So long!

[@nomadic4936]

But pawan bhai tumne to chapp liye hai mota paisa tum to le sakte ho like job to apki salary 3 se 4 lakh per month ki to hogi then youtube se bhi almost 2 lakh aa jate hai then rrj academy ki kamai then sponsorship ka paisa KZbins insta dono sekul milakar 10 se 15 lakh chapp😂😂😂😂 lete ho

[@juanQuedo]

Man, I am only in the first seconds of the video and I already feel bad for that poor pot 🥲 poor thing, you went hard on it. I am sure is not that horrible

[@BB-xe6rh]

Florian watching you tap center on a chuck kills me every time lol. I have watched that video so many times, and I'm starting to get it but also...not. 🫠

[@reidl4767]

The four of them together was gorgeous to see. I was personally most fond of the slightly angular handle, pre-carving. I'd love to see that shape - with its suggestion of angularity, without sharp points - just a bit lighter. Really lovely. Thank you for sharing