Let’s Make a Mug! A Friendly Guide for Your First Ceramic Project

Starting Your Ceramic Journey: Simple, Fun, and Creative

Starting something new can feel overwhelming, especially when there are so many options to choose from. But the best way to begin is often to try the one that’s closest to you. This brings your first experience, enriches you, and guides you without overwhelming you from the start. That’s why we love hearing from our customers and sharing ideas that help you get started in ceramics with the right tools!

The First Step: Don’t Overthink It

We know it can be tricky at first. Many people make mistakes when selecting equipment or materials, but that’s all part of the learning process. Choosing the right tools can feel daunting, but don’t worry—we’ve got your back. With over 30 years of experience in ceramics since 1989, we’ve carefully chosen tools and materials that work well for both beginners and professionals.

While we don’t hold regular workshops, we love seeing your enthusiasm to start your ceramic journey. We’re always happy to offer guidance and share tips to help you succeed. If you're new to ceramics, we’ve put together a simple guide for making your first mug. This isn’t a strict rulebook, but a fun suggestion that can inspire you to experiment and find your own creative path.

Gather Your Materials and Set Up Your Space

Before you dive into the process, gather your materials. You’ll need ceramic clay (around 1-2 kg), glaze, and a clean workspace where you can get a little messy and creative. It’s always good to have a cozy, clutter-free area to work in, where you can focus and enjoy the process.

For decorating, we offer a wide variety of stamps and rollers that will make your mug truly unique. You can use one of our stamps to add intricate textures, or try our patterned rolling pins to create beautiful designs on your clay slab. These tools make it easy to personalize your creation and add that professional touch.

Create Your Mug Shape: Roll and Decorate

Start by finding a cup that can act as your mold. Roll out a slab of clay, keeping it around 4 mm thick—this is just enough to make beautiful impressions with stamps or to create patterns with a rolling pin. The key is to find the thickness that feels right for you—thicker mugs hold heat better, but thinner ones are lighter and easier to work with.

Once you’ve rolled out your clay, carefully wrap it around your mold – just don’t forget to cover the mold with a layer of newspaper or a plastic bag first, so the clay will release more easily later. Don’t forget to cut out a circle for the base of your mug. Next, decorate your slab! Use our stamps to add texture or a patterned rolling pin to create an elegant design. This is your opportunity to make the mug your own!

Assemble the Mug: Joining the Pieces

Once you’ve decorated your slab, cut along the edges and wrap the clay around the cup, overlapping the edges. Cut the overlap at an angle and score (roughen) the edges to make sure they stick together well. This part is where you’ll shape the mug and start to see it come to life.

After you’ve joined the edges, score the base and attach the pre-cut circle for the bottom of your mug. Refine the shape as you go, making it smooth and neat. You can also add extra decorations at this stage if you’d like to make your mug truly unique!

Adding the Handle: Personalize Your Mug

Next up: the handle! If you don’t have a handle mold, you can easily make a strip of clay by hand. Once you have your strip, you can use one of our handle forms from Relyef to shape it and attach it to your mug. Press gently, then let the handle set for a little while.

Once it’s ready, carefully remove the mold and unwrap the mug. Trim and refine the shape of the handle, and make sure the joins are secure. This is the perfect time to add any final touches or decorations to make your mug feel complete.

Drying, Firing, and Enjoying Your Mug

Now, it’s time to let your mug dry completely. Once it’s dry, you can bisque fire it, glaze it, and then fire it again. After the final firing, your mug will be ready to use!

It’s important to remember that this is just one way to make a mug. The ceramic process is incredibly flexible, and we encourage you to explore different techniques, tools, and creative ideas. You can always experiment and add your personal touch along the way!

Sharing and Growing Together

We’re so excited to see you using our tools and exploring ceramics! We might not be experts, but we’ve poured all our enthusiasm into this guide, and we hope it’s sparked some inspiration. If you have more experience and want to share your tips and tricks, we’d absolutely love to hear from you. After all, everyone brings something unique to the table, and there’s always more to learn!

We know that many people don’t read through long texts like this, but if you’ve made it this far, we’re truly honored. It means a lot to us, and we’re grateful for your support. Thank you for being a part of our community!