How to Make a Ceramic Ink Dip Pen on the Potter's Wheel

Here it is, the long awaiting ink dip pen video. This week I show how I make these from beginning to end in a marathon 40 minute video. There's a lot of information here, be the throwing, trimming, glazing or firing so if you have any queries along the way make sure to leave a comment and I'll do my best to reply! Thanks as always for watching and I hope you enjoy watching how I make these ink dip pottery pens.

Timecodes:
0:00 - Introduction
1:13 - Centring the clay on the wheel
2:17 - Throwing the ink dip pen
5:34 - Covering them to dry overnight
7:42 - Trimming the ink dip pen
10:53 - Using a specially made chuck to trim the tops of the pens
12:56 - Drilling out the hollow for the ferrule
16:10 - Close up of drilled hole and ferrule check
17:40 - Trimming the top again
19:14 - Packing the bisque to fire to 1000ºc
22:53 - Unpacking the bisque
24:52 - Mixing up a batch of crackle glaze
25:45 - Glazing the ink dip pen
27:31 - Cleaning up a 'red' pen
28:46 - Cleaning up a 'white' pen
29:52 - Slotting the pens onto the firing rig
30:02 - Packing the gas kiln
31:57 - Firing the gas kiln to 1290ºc
34:52 - Unpacking the gas kiln
36:34 - Preparing the ferrules to fit into the pens
38:31 - Finished examples

I throw using a Rohde HMT 500 pottery wheel. I fire my pots using a Rohde TE 200 electric kiln and a Rohde KG-340 Gas kiln.
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[samu._.]

I made a presentation about you in my college, everyone liked the ink dip pens! My partners said that you helped them a lot to understand pottery <3
Greetings from Colombia

[hannahstraining]

I cannot imagine a more wonderful gift either to give or to receive than a set of a lovingly handmade pen and inkwell.

[juanQuedo]

One day I'll put my hand around one of these beauties. I am really curious about how they feel in hand, their weight balance and such compared with the wooden holders I have. I saw you made very few hexagonal holders, I bet they look stunning once glazed too.

[denisesarazin]

I’m astonished and grateful that you took so much time to create this video. Your voice, the visuals, your artistry, I could watch for hours.

[alaynaelkins]

I could literally watch your content for hours. I had a ceramics class last trimester, and now that the tri is over and I no longer have that class, all I can think of is working with clay.

[bubbletea_kitty]

I absolutely love my pen and is one of my prized possessions. I have been waiting for this video to see how they were made. Thank you for your beautiful work!

[momoso]

Your descriptions are so poetic, not only is visually beautiful but auditorily as well. I’m a new beginner to throwing and i learn so much from your videos :) thank you

[ranjitsreeram]

This is impossible to make, however you make it looks so simple.
The point you made about clay having a memory is a difficult lesson I guess every potter learns through experience, I learnt mine recently 🙂

[marTinDMike]

Tremendous amount of work! Demonstrates how the smaller size of an object doesn’t really translate to less effort. Cool video.

[yonigreenberg]

This entire video I was thinking how perfectly superfluous every single aspect of these pens are, and of course now my life won't be complete until I have one. It's just so beautiful.

[apfff]

These are so incredibly beautiful! I’ve been watching your videos for over a week now, one after another, mesmerized by the whole process. As a food photographer of 13 years, I own a huge collection of ceramics and know many artists in person, but had no idea how much time and patience it takes to create an object. I have so much respect for your art and knowledge, and I love the way you share it with your followers. All the best from Kraków, Poland! 🙏🏻

[doyoulikecocoa]

Ever since I saw these pens on your shop months ago I was patiently waiting for a video about them. Such a fascinating process, thank you!

[IngletonPottery]

It's a good job your kiln shelves aren't as warped as ours.
If I fired one of those it would be like a banana pen.😉
Happy throwing 👍

[rubysummit]

What a calming way to start my Sunday. Thank you Florian!

[taring]

This video is very stressful and very soothing at the same time!

[petterfrankesson]

It's really amazing to see the craftmanship behind all your wares.

[sarahjarden]

What a beautiful present for someone. I particularly like the rest for the pen. Being old enough to remember having to use a cartridge pen at school this innovation would have saved many things from ink stains! Myself included!

[ArmageddonHex]

Your voice is so relaxing, I love watching these to wind down. Very informative, I feel like I understand pottery a little more with every video!

[BrokenArrowPottery]

Exquisite writing or drawing tools! I wondered what those were when I spotted some as you unloaded the gas kiln in another video. With the ink well & rest they make quite an unusual set. Perfect for gifts or for spoiling oneself! Thanks!

[dizzybishop]

This is crazy. I cant imagine the patience you need for that!