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Step-by-Step: The Start to Finish Process of Creating a Handmade Ceramic Mug

Writer's picture: Mia RobeyMia Robey
Coast Mug. Click here to purchase
Coast Mug. Click here to purchase

If you’ve ever enjoyed your morning coffee from a mug that just feels “right,” you understand the charm of handcrafted pottery. The tactile sensation, warmth, and unique imperfections woven into handmade ceramics tell a story of artistry. In this post, I will be sharing the start to finish process of how I create a ceramic mug.


Preparing the Clay

The first step is to prepare the clay. This is a process known as wedging, and involves kneading the clay to remove air bubbles and create a consistent, pliable mass.


Shaping the Clay

Next, it’s time to begin shaping the clay. I do this on a potter's wheel. You can create mugs by hand building, but I prefer both the speed and even finish that comes from wheel throwing. It’s very rare that I’d ever be making just one mug on it’s own, so I tend to throw batches of about 20.


Trimming the Mug

Once your mug is leather-hard, (this can take anywhere from a day to a week or more, depending on the time of year and how warm it is inside the house), it’s time to refine its shape. The hand-thrown piece goes back onto the wheel and a trimming tool is used to achieve a smooth, professional bottom to the mug.


Adding the Handle

Time to add the handle. There are different methods for creating a handle, but I prefer ‘pulling’ handles. This is a process of gentle pulling the clay into long ribbons. These ‘ribbons’ are then cut to size and placed into shape, where they are left to dry slightly before being ready to attach. It’s important that both the handle and main body of the mug are of a similar dryness, in order to ensure they attach firmly and don’t crack.

Once the two pieces are ready, the handles are attached with a process known as ‘slip and score’.


Drying Phase

After the mug is shaped and ready, it needs to dry. It’s important that the drying process isn’t rushed, otherwise cracking can occur. I place pieces in an airing cupboard for this part. Depending on the time of year and humidity levels, drying can take anywhere from 12 hours to a week.


First Firing: Bisque Firing

Once the mug is bone dry, it’s time for first firing, or bisque firing. I don’t have my own kiln so I outsource this to someone else which means carefully packing up all the fragile greenware pieces to transport over. For bisqueware pieces are fired at around 1,000°C. This is a slow process, and it’s normally a couple of days between dropping off and collecting pieces by the time the kiln has fully fired and cooled down enough to be opened.


Glazing

Next up is glazing. Before I set to work I like to give pieces a wipe down with a damp sponge to remove any dust from the kiln which could interfere with the glaze adhering properly to the surface. I then leave the pieces to fully dry for a day before applying any glaze. There are various techniques for applying glazes. I tend to brush on glazes. This is a very lengthy process, as it involves painting on the glazes by hand. Each piece requires 3 to 4 coats of glaze, which trying time between each layer. Once finished, pieces need to rest for at least a day to ensure that the glaze has completely dried.


Second Firing: Glaze Firing

Once your glaze is applied, it’s time for the second firing, known as glaze firing. The kiln This firing melts the glaze, giving the mug that beautiful, shiny finish. Once again, I outsource this to someone else and it’s a couple of days between drop off and collection.


Hand-painted Sun&Moon Mug. Click here to purchase
Hand-painted Sun&Moon Mug. Click here to purchase

Handcrafting a ceramic mug is a fulfilling journey that takes a lot of patience and close attention to detail. Each step—from shaping to glazing and firing—results in a piece that reflects  the love that I put in, and I hope that comes across in the finished pieces.


Mia x

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