• This work is a hand-built teapot made of stoneware clay. Its name is wordplay combining the concepts of two mischievous Pugs carrying on and carry-on luggage. It is designed to represent a quilted Chanel purse from which two Pugs emerge. The textured surface is formed by press mold. The Pug heads are sculpted. The handle is carved clay. The zippers and the lid are also press mold. The feet are wheel thrown and altered.
• This is an evolutionary development from a prior work, Pink Pearl Puggetbook, with a number of major artistic modifications.
• It was created for the 2009 Niche Awards competition for which it was designated a finalist. It was displayed at the Inspired Hands IV Show, University of Sourthern Maine, Lewiston, ME; and at Art2010, 15th Annual Juried Show, Kennebec Valley Art Association,

  Harlow Gallery, Hallowell, ME.
• Construction sequence:
     First fired to cone 06.
     Pink and black underglazes applied.
     Refired to cone 5/6.
     Opalescent overglazing added.
     Fired a third time to cone 017.
     Gold lusters applied.
     Final firig to cone 018.
     Cold finishes complete the work.
• Date: 2008.
• Size: 10.75" x 10.75" x 6.0".
• Available for purchase: Price $800.

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CREATIVE PROCESS  

• The body of this piece is created by using a newly-designed and formed press mold for its faux fabric exterior. It differs from that of Pink Pearl Puggetbook by its much larger diamond pattern, among other details.
• A hand-built clay handle is designed, formed and attached.
• Trimming is completed with faux stitching.

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• Two sculpted Pug heads are added to convey that they are emerging from either side of the purse's body at its faux zippered openings.

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• Addiitonal carving completes the work on the puppy heads.
• Stitching supplements the details of the purse's piping.

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• A  spout is thrown and altered. When it is completed, the spout is added to the teapot.

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• The feet are thrown and altered. They are added to the body of the purse as the construction phase nears completion.

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• Zippers are created by means of press mold and inserted on the lateral margins of the body of the purse. They are altered to provide openings for the Pug heads.
• The lid is yet to be added.

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• The lid is created by press mold in the shape of a dog bone.
• Additional carving of details of the Pug heads is achieved as the last step in the construction phase of this piece.
• The work is now allowed to dry thoroughly before it is first fired to cone 06.

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• After a successful first firing, decorative coloration begins.
• Facial expression is given to one of the sculpted Pugs with underglazes.
• Pink underglazes are applied to the faux quilted fabric of the body of the piece.
• Black underglaze supplements the handle, spout and trim.

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• More underglazing is applied to achieve the details of the other Pug's facial features.
• Refiring is now done to cone 5/6.
• Opalescent overglazing is applied.
• A third firing is done to cone 017.
• Gold luster is painted on the zippers.
• The fourth and final firing is done to cone 018.
• Cold finishes are added plus real pearls to complete the work.

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