Throwing Pottery on the Wheel: How to make ceramic clay mugs

Welcome, in this class we'll be learning how to throw, shape, and put handles on three basic mug shapes. Using one pound of clay we'll make a cylinder shape, a cone shape, and a funnel shaped mug. Then using one piece of clay we will shape, and then pull handles for each and attach them to each mug, going over how to do each task efficiently and effectively. Then if there are any finishing touches concerning the handles or trimming we will go over that. While also covering the tools required and how to prepare, from the wheel itself to my preferred hand tools for working on the wheel. I usually keep it simple with tools, and much prefer to use my hands as much as possible as it helps develop my sensitivity working with clay. Which is something I also recommend to my students as they learn how to work with clay on the wheel and with hand building.

My goal with this class is to help you get a better understanding of how to make a mug, and demonstrate what can be accomplished with basic skills on the wheel, and communicating the aesthetic properties that make a mug nice to look at, and to use.