How I Make a Mug
1) Cut and wedge clay
This is remove air bubble and align clay particles
Video: Throwing mugs
Wait at least one day for them to get “leather hard”- where you can’t contort them so easiily.
5) Painting - I’m painting black slip all over this mug so I can carve it off
Drawing lines with a dulled needle tool
8) Glaze Fire - Here I am loading the kiln for the final firing, to cone 5 or 2167 degrees. Approx 24 hours total
4) Let them dry before painting
Many people prefer carving when the clay is leather hard, which is a healthier solution in terms of dust creation. But I like to wait for my pots to get bone dry before I paint so the tools don’t gouge when I carve.
7) Apply Glaze - Dunk in clear glaze and dry
Completed Mugs!
Completed greenware. Color underglaze is painted on after carving.
6) Bisque fire - These mugs have now been fired for the first time, to cone 04 (1945 degrees) for approx 12 hours and are ready to be glazed once they have been cleaned of dust
Wipe the bottoms clear of glaze, or apply wax resist
Mugs packed in padded envelopes for transport
Our van with extra springs to carry the weight