Project description
I want to commission a piece of functional pottery for my kitchen counter: either a single large lidded cookie jar, or (my preference) a matching set of three to four canisters sized for flour, sugar, coffee and possibly tea, each with a well-fitted lid. This is a pantry-storage piece, not tableware — please note this is a different project than a hand-thrown dinnerware set of plates, bowls and mugs meant for eating and serving; I am not looking for a dining set, and I would rather work with someone who understands the different demands of storage vessels (wide mouths for scooping, snug seals, stackable or nesting profiles) than someone who only throws place settings.
Each jar or canister should be wheel-thrown stoneware or high-fire clay, food-safe glazed inside and out, with a lid that seats securely without wobbling and lifts easily with one hand — a integrated knob or a simple pulled handle both work for me. If you propose a matching set, I would like consistent proportions and a shared glaze palette across all pieces so they read as a family on an open shelf, with size stepped down logically from flour (largest) to coffee (smallest). Approximate capacity: flour canister around 8-10 cups, sugar around 5-6 cups, coffee around 3-4 cups.
I am open to earthy, neutral glazes — matte white, oatmeal, warm stoneware brown, or a soft sage — and I am happy to hear your suggestions based on what you already throw well; I am not wedded to a specific glaze recipe, just a cohesive kitchen aesthetic that will not look out of place next to wood cutting boards and linen towels. Please avoid anything overly rustic-decorative like painted florals or hand-lettered labels; I want the shapes and glaze to speak for themselves.
What I expect from the freelancer: a portfolio of previous lidded jars or canisters (not just open bowls, since lid fit is the hardest part of this commission), a clear timeline for throwing, drying, bisque firing, glazing and final firing, and honest communication if a piece cracks or a lid does not seat well during the process — I would rather wait an extra week for a proper fit than receive a lid that rattles. Photos at greenware, bisque and final glaze stages are appreciated but not mandatory. Packaging for safe shipping of ceramic ware is essential, and I would like to discuss insurance for the shipment given the value and fragility of a finished set.
Please share examples of canister sets or cookie jars you have made before, your estimated turnaround, and how you typically handle lid-to-jar fit tolerances.
Each jar or canister should be wheel-thrown stoneware or high-fire clay, food-safe glazed inside and out, with a lid that seats securely without wobbling and lifts easily with one hand — a integrated knob or a simple pulled handle both work for me. If you propose a matching set, I would like consistent proportions and a shared glaze palette across all pieces so they read as a family on an open shelf, with size stepped down logically from flour (largest) to coffee (smallest). Approximate capacity: flour canister around 8-10 cups, sugar around 5-6 cups, coffee around 3-4 cups.
I am open to earthy, neutral glazes — matte white, oatmeal, warm stoneware brown, or a soft sage — and I am happy to hear your suggestions based on what you already throw well; I am not wedded to a specific glaze recipe, just a cohesive kitchen aesthetic that will not look out of place next to wood cutting boards and linen towels. Please avoid anything overly rustic-decorative like painted florals or hand-lettered labels; I want the shapes and glaze to speak for themselves.
What I expect from the freelancer: a portfolio of previous lidded jars or canisters (not just open bowls, since lid fit is the hardest part of this commission), a clear timeline for throwing, drying, bisque firing, glazing and final firing, and honest communication if a piece cracks or a lid does not seat well during the process — I would rather wait an extra week for a proper fit than receive a lid that rattles. Photos at greenware, bisque and final glaze stages are appreciated but not mandatory. Packaging for safe shipping of ceramic ware is essential, and I would like to discuss insurance for the shipment given the value and fragility of a finished set.
Please share examples of canister sets or cookie jars you have made before, your estimated turnaround, and how you typically handle lid-to-jar fit tolerances.
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