Teapots are the ultimate pottery skills challenge…. I must say, I have a love hate relationship with the processes involoved! The prospect of making another teapot is always exciting but, they take a long time and it’s a balancing act. The different componants must fit together perfectly. As the first picture below illustrates, there’s a spout, the main body and a lid, these are all hand thrown as seperate componants. A hole is cut out and the spout attached. Lastly it needs a handle. All of these bits and pieces need to be placed correctley. It’s really important for a teapot that pours well, is comfortable to hold and look fab!
![Assembling teapots by Sarah Monk hand thrown teapots at the assembling stage wheel thrown by sarah monk ceramics](https://i0.wp.com/www.sarahmonkceramics.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Assembling-teapots-by-Sarah-Monk.jpg?resize=480%2C485&ssl=1)
![slipware fruit teapot slipware teapot with fruit lid by sarah monk ceramics](https://i0.wp.com/www.sarahmonkceramics.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/slipware-fruit-teapot.jpg?resize=960%2C960&ssl=1)
![scribble tea pot scribble hand thrown teapot by sarah monk ceramic](https://i0.wp.com/www.sarahmonkceramics.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/scribble-tea-pot.jpg?resize=490%2C490&ssl=1)
Once all parts are assembled and I’m satisfied it will feel good my attention turns to the character of my teapot. Teapot making gives me a great oppotunity to have fun. I look at the teapot from all angles, taking into consideration it’s shape and size. My most recent designs have splashes and splatters of colour and lively sgrafitto drawing. Designing a lid is most special, just like putting a topper on a wedding cake! The finishing touch.
My first set of teapot designs were bright yellow! (see below) I have made quite a few querky teapots over the years. They’ve have ended up in lifestyle magazines, ceramics books and museum collections.
![Teapot by sarah monk 1995 yellow earthenware teapot with red fruit design made by sarah monk 1995](https://i0.wp.com/www.sarahmonkceramics.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Teapot-by-sarah-monk-1995.jpg?resize=1000%2C1000&ssl=1)
![yellow bug teapot by sarah monk yellow pottery teapot with green bugs hand thrown and decorated by sarah monk ceramics](https://i0.wp.com/www.sarahmonkceramics.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/yellow-bug-teapot-by-sarah-monk.jpg?resize=960%2C960&ssl=1)
![Scribble teapot with teacups Slipware hand thrown teapot & teacups by studio potter sarah monk made at her pottery studio eastnor pottery ledbury herefordshire](https://i0.wp.com/www.sarahmonkceramics.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Scribble-teapot-with-teacups.jpg?resize=480%2C480&ssl=1)
Featured in this blog are my most recent designs. Teapots just like these can be found in my online shop. I only make 2 or 3 a year and they go very quickly!