This ceramic teapot with its pumpkin design is one of my favorite ceramic pieces. I carefully followed the rules of good ceramic slipcasting as I worked on it. I wanted a coppery look and chose a glaze that would give that appearance. Once glazed and completely dry, the teapot went on the shelf for its trip to the kiln for firing. I could hardly wait for the next week’s class to see my finished work.

When the day finally arrived, I hurried to the finished-project cabinet, but my teapot wasn’t there. Mystified, I checked all the shelves, but still nothing! Then I noticed a cardboard box in the corner, marked TRASH. There in the box, with several broken plates, was my precious teapot, looking perfect. I lifted it out, and noticed that the stilt it sat on during firing was still attached to the bottom. I took it to the instructor and she too was surprised. She removed the lid, and as we looked inside, we saw a large crack running across the pot’s bottom. If the stilt had been removed my teapot would have fallen to pieces!
So the stilt has never been removed and now serves as a small stand. My teapot will never serve tea, but to me it’s gorgeous, and truly a treasure.