I used to hate making mugs because I didn't know how to make a handle. Cups? No problem, but handles were never pushed in my non-academic classes, so after my first failed attempt, I stopped trying. Fast forward to late last summer when I asked every potter I knew for a handle- pulling demo, and after 25 mugs, I conquered that beast. So yeah, I pull handles now. Easy peesy. While I was giving a private lesson to an earnest beginner this week, pulling a handle to squeeze every minute out of her hour-- I could not recall when handles stopped being so darn dreaded. But there is a list to infinity of things I've yet to do and more importantly do WELL with clay. My most recent two? Goblets and lids. First off, I don't like ceramic goblets-- too medieval for me. I'll drink wine from a cup or even a mug, thank you. But a friend has asked me to make her a pair so sure, why not? Throw a cup/ bowl- throw a stem, trim, attach. Throw a cup/ bowl, trim, throw a stem on it. Well for friggin' sakes! All the pieces are simple to make, but attaching and finishing and feeling happy with the outcome has been a grueling task. I went one for one on good ones vs. trashed ones. Stems came unattached during bisque (scratch and attach, I know, I know-- but what happens when what usually works and suddenly does not?) SO. My low-fire goblets came out fine, my soda fire goblets came out great. Tonight, as I was glazing my last two 'extra' sets I was feeling good. Some Gelermino Shino on one pair, Shaner Oribe on the other- soda fire mojo, and then, as I was pouring out the excess glaze from the last one, the entire cup part fell into the bucket as I held onto the stem. Deadline looming, I am forced to clean that sucker off, dry it in the kiln room, glaze and re-attach the frickin' stem- with my fingers crossed. I even threw some extra glaze on its pair- buddy with hopes that IF it survives the fire, it might still match. I hate goblets. Okay, to be optimistic..... when all is said and done, at least I now know 10 different ways to make a goblet, but I swear I NEVER- EVER will make another.