Drips, Tests, and Fire: The Story Behind Cups

At Leskle Studio, our cups don’t just happen. Each one is the result of many hours — and many years — of experimenting, failing, learning, and slowly figuring out how to make colors that move, melt, and drip in just the right way.

We’re not chasing perfection. We’re chasing feeling. And sometimes, that comes in the form of a glaze drip running down the side of a handmade cup.

1. Clay, Wheel, and Hands

Everything starts with raw clay. Each cup is thrown on a pottery wheel — no molds, no machines. Just us, our hands, and a spinning rhythm. The shape takes time, and sometimes a few tries. That’s part of it.

2. Trim, Dry, and the First Firing

After trimming and smoothing the edges, the cup is left to dry completely before the first kiln firing. This bisque firing makes the clay strong enough to handle glaze. It’s a necessary transformation.

3. Washing and Glazing — Again, and Again...

Once fired, we wash each cup to remove dust. Then comes the most time-consuming part: glazing.
We don’t dip — we brush each layer by hand. One glaze after another. Sometimes five layers, sometimes more.

Different glazes interact. Some float. Some sink. Some react with each other. It took us years of testing, tweaking formulas, and keeping detailed notes to understand what works — and what doesn't. Most of the magic comes from hard-earned knowledge and countless failures.

4. The Second Firing – The Moment of Truth

Once glazed, the cups go back into the kiln for a second, much hotter firing — over 1200°C. That’s when the glaze flows and starts to form those beautiful drips. Each drip is unpredictable. No two are ever the same. And that’s exactly why we love them.

5. Finishing & Letting Go

When they come out of the kiln, we inspect, clean, and sand the bottoms if needed. Some pieces surprise us. Some disappoint us. But every single one carries the marks of a process that can’t be rushed.

The Beauty Is in the Process

Behind every cup you see in our shop are months of glaze testing, recipe adjustments, and learning from mistakes. What looks like a simple drip is actually a reaction we had to work years to understand.

We don’t make fast things. We make honest, slow, handmade things — with fingerprints, fire, and a little bit of magic.

👉 Ready to hold one in your hands?
Browse our latest ceramic cup collection here. Each piece is one-of-a-kind — just like you.

Curious to See More?

Follow our process, tests, and real-life behind-the-scenes moments on Instagram.