Making a pottery mug is a rewarding experience that combines artistic expression with functional design. This article will guide you through the end-to-end process, from selecting the right clay to the final glaze firing, ensuring you create a food-safe and aesthetically pleasing piece.
Choosing the Right Clay and Essential Tools
The foundation of any good mug is the clay you choose. There are three main types of clay used in pottery: stoneware, earthenware, and porcelain. Stoneware clay is often recommended for beginners due to its versatility and ease of use. It’s durable, strong, and becomes non-porous when fired, even without glazing. Stoneware is ideal for objects of all sizes and can withstand multiple firings, with a firing temperature range of 1100 °C (2000 °F) to 1300 °C (2370 °F). Earthenware clay, like terracotta, is another option but is more porous and requires glazing to hold liquids. Porcelain clay is known for its beauty and translucency but is more challenging to work with due to its softness and flexibility, requiring higher firing temperatures between 1,200 °C (2,200 °F) to 1,400 °C (2,550 °F).
In addition to clay, several essential tools are needed. A pottery wheel is fundamental for shaping the mug. You’ll also need a wire tool for cutting clay, sponges for adding and removing water and smoothing surfaces, ribs for shaping and smoothing on the wheel, and loop and ribbon tools for trimming. A needle tool is useful for cutting, piercing, and scoring clay, while wooden modeling tools help with decorating and trimming. Other helpful tools include fettling knives, hole cutters, calipers, and banding wheels. Having a well-equipped toolkit will make the process smoother and more enjoyable. Check out this guide on what you need to get started with pottery at home. Also, it’s important to consider clay recycling, to make your studio more eco-friendly.
Forming the Mug: Centering, Shaping, and Trimming
The first step in creating your mug on the pottery wheel is centering the clay. This involves manipulating the clay until it’s a stable, rotating mass in the center of the wheel. Apply consistent pressure with your hands, using water to lubricate the clay and prevent sticking. Once centered, open the clay by creating a hole in the middle, then widen the hole to form the base of the mug. Next, pull up the walls of the cylinder by applying pressure from the inside and outside, gradually raising the clay to the desired height. This requires patience and control to ensure the walls are even and consistent.
This video from Umi Ceramics shows a great example of slab building a cup. It’s a useful technique for beginners to learn.
Shaping the mug involves refining the cylinder into a functional form. Use your fingers and ribs to create the desired curve and thickness of the walls. Pay attention to the lip of the mug, ensuring it’s smooth and comfortable to drink from. Once the form is established, use trimming tools to remove excess clay from the bottom and refine the shape further. Trimming is best done when the clay is leather-hard, meaning it’s firm enough to hold its shape but still soft enough to carve. This stage is crucial for achieving a professional look and ensuring the mug sits evenly.
Attaching the Handle and Finalizing the Form
Attaching the handle is a critical step that requires careful attention to ensure a strong and seamless connection. The most common method involves scoring and slipping. First, create a handle by pulling it directly from a piece of clay, or by using an extruder to create uniform shapes. Let the handle set up to the same moisture level as the mug for best results. Score the areas on both the mug and the handle where they will be joined. Apply slip (a mixture of clay and water) to both scored surfaces, then firmly press the handle onto the mug. Smooth the connection with your fingers and modeling tools, blending the clay to create a seamless bond.
Once the handle is attached, allow the mug to dry slowly and evenly to prevent cracking or warping. Cover it loosely with plastic for the first day or two to equalize the moisture content. After the mug is completely dry, it’s ready for bisque firing. This initial firing hardens the clay and makes it ready for glazing. The bisque firing also burns out any remaining organic matter in the clay.
Glazing and Final Firing for Food Safety
Glazing is the final step in creating a functional and aesthetically pleasing mug. It’s essential to use food-safe glazes, especially on surfaces that will come into contact with food or drink. These glazes must be chemically stable and not leach metal oxides into food. Avoid glazes that are heavily crystallized, overly melted, brightly colored without a clear overglaze, or very matte, as these are more likely to be unsuitable for food. A good practice is to use a transparent or white liner glaze on the inside of the mug.
Apply the glaze evenly, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Ensure the glaze is fired to its full maturity to create a waterproof surface. After glazing, the mug undergoes a final glaze firing at the specified temperature for the glaze. This firing vitrifies the glaze, creating a durable, food-safe surface. Once cooled, your pottery mug is ready to use and enjoy.