No Crack! 4 Tips to Prevent your Handles from Cracking!

If you have trouble with your handles cracking then this video is for you! Here I share my 4 tips on how to prevent handles from cracking. Some clays are more prone to cracking than others so knowing the properties of your clay is very helpful in preventing cracking. Porcelains and porcelaneous stoneware clays are usually the ones that crack the easiest. Earthenware and groggy stoneware clays tend to crack less. No matter what clay you use my tips will help your handles to not cracks.

Clay Used: Laguna Bmix 5 without Grog
Wax: Mr Mark Wax On ( mine is purple but new bottles are now pink)
My Camera: Sony RX100 VII

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[karenmchugh]

Nicely done! I look forward to seeing more of your tutorials!!

[RBCharger]

I don't have any problem with my handles cracking. I just watch to see Jessica's presentation. But I did learn some things in this video that might have helped keep some sculptures I did from cracking.

[simplydee]

Who would have "thunked it?" Makes sense. I was saying to myself throughout the video..."oh, that's what probably happened to that piece" as I thought back on prior mishaps of mine. Thank you for taking the time to explain this aspect for us.

[carolynpearce]

Just saw this video. Have never heard of using wax. Thank you so much. I have problems with timing on attaching handles. Not any more.

[eileenknapik]

I was having trouble and now I know why. Thank you! 🌷

[cinderceramicsllc]

This is great Jessica- I have had that issue and haven't been able to get it right every time.

[jeffingels]

Thanks for the great tips. If you do all these and you still get cracking try a different clay body. I use to use a cone ten white clay that I could throw in the morning, trim that afternoon, and put freshly made handles that evening. Wrap just the handles with a little plastic and put out in the sun and wind the next day, then fire that night. Sadly they quit making that clay and I've had trouble ever since.

[robertcole]

What a great tip, I’m going to pass that on to my pottery friends, if that’s ok. Cheers Bob 🇬🇧

[luciegilchrist]

As always - LOVE THIS VIDEO!!!! Thanks Jess!!!

[_Cats_Pottery]

I love the tip of using the wax but question, if coated in wax, how does the moisture inside the handle evaporate? Does it just slowly draw out through the points of attachment?

[megamouth]

We were chatting once and I said I was using Laguna BMix 5 and you went yeah, Bmix, sticks to everything but itself". Since then I've started making my slip out of Dove from Seattle pottery supply (looks and acts exactly the same once fired but it harder to throw). That has significantly reduced my cracking! Now to start trying the wax thing.

[Shawnreidpottery]

Can you do a video how you make these mugs ?

[penni]

I am a newbie to handmade pottery and just came across your video and I have a question. Can I apply the wax on the finished product right away or do I let the item dry a day or two then apply the wax, then let dry again? I appreciate your help and knowledge.

[danielajohnson]

Thank you so much Jessica! Very good advice. I will get myself a “color shaper”!!! I do sometimes get cracks even with earthenware. 🙏

[hollandhobbyfarm]

Girl, I've been struggling with MAJOR hairline cracks at the handle attachment site. Wish me luck!

[jennyrathkey]

The wax trick is awesome! I’ve been using Laguna b-mix for years and never thought about waxing the handles, and I’m not a newbie. I was ready to give up on b-mix mugs forever, cuz no matter how careful I was, I would get small, fine cracks. I’ve never heard the wax method before. Who’d have thunk it? Thanks

[triciac]

Uh oh, I just put handles on six mugs yesterday made with b-mix. I did use slip and some was quite wet. I have them covered, but no wax. I won't be going into the studio today so I may end up with all six of them cracking.

[faithz]

These are great tips! Thank you! How did you do the beautiful artwork on the bottom of your mug? Do you have a video about that?

[nancyache]

If you wrap your handled mugs in plastic for 24+ hours, the moisture will transfer from the 2 parts and they start drying together! Then, as they finish drying unwrapped—if you see uneven drying, wrap them up again. Waxing is not needed.

[deborahpitts]

At what stage do you apply wax? Can you still apply wax when the mugs and handles are bone dry? Thanks in advance.