BUILDING A CERAMIC MUG |
CIARA MORAN | tHE WICKLOW CRAFTER
BUILDING A CERAMIC MUG
Course Summary
Join artist Ciara Moran, also known as The Wicklow Crafter, for a welcoming and practical course on hand-crafting your very own ceramic mug. This workshop is designed for absolute beginners, proving that you don't need a pottery wheel or a fancy studio to create beautiful, functional art. Ciara expertly guides you through the entire process, from rolling and cutting the clay to assembling and finishing your unique mug.
You will learn how to select the right type of clay and use simple, household items as effective pottery tools, making the craft accessible and affordable. The course emphasises a calm, methodical approach, ensuring you gain the confidence to build a robust mug that is both dishwasher and microwave safe. By the end, you will have not only a handmade mug to use every day but also the foundational skills to continue your ceramic journey at home.
Course Preview
Course FAQ
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The Fundamentals of Hand-Building a Mug: The essential process of constructing a durable, everyday mug from scratch, using the slab-building technique.
Selecting the Right Clay Body: How to choose a durable, mid-range stoneware or porcelain clay that is ideal for creating functional, food-safe mugs.
Preparing & Managing Your Clay: The proper and safe way to wedge, roll, and compress your clay to achieve an even slab, free of air pockets.
Constructing the Core Components: The method for cutting out and assembling the three key pieces of a mug: the body slab, the base, and the handle.
The Principle of Score & Slip: How to effectively score clay surfaces and apply slip, the "clay glue", to ensure your mug holds together firmly through drying and firing.
Refining the Final Form: Essential techniques for smoothing seams, shaping the handle, and refining the rim for a comfortable, professional-looking finish.
Studio Safety & Best Practices: Important guidelines for maintaining a clean workspace, properly handling tools, and managing clay dust to protect your health and your work.
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Clay: Stoneware clay, recommended for hand-building (e.g., Crank or White St. Thomas).
Glaze & Brush: A commercial brush-on glaze and a dedicated glaze brush.
Household Tools:
Rolling pin
Ruler, pencil, and paper (for templates)
Kitchen knife
Old paintbrush
Sponge
Two bowls (one for water)
Fork (for scoring)
An old credit card or loyalty card (as a rib)
Two 5-6mm thick guides (e.g., placemats, breadboards)
2 cylindrical objects : 1 small and 1 larger.
eg. Small cylinder could be a dowel or pencil. Larger cylinder could be the insert for a kitchen roll.Plastic bags
1 square meter of fabric or a plaster bat (as a work surface)
Scissors
sewing pin or needle
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Suitable for all levels.
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The course is composed of two videos, a combined total of 60 mins. Enjoy the benefit of being able to watch and follow along at your leisure for the duration of your access.
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BUILDING A CERAMIC MUG
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Part 1: Building A Ceramic Mug
Ciara Moran, The Wicklow Crafter, begins this hand-building series by expertly guiding you through the foundational steps. Learn to select the right stoneware clay and use common household items as your toolkit. This video covers creating templates, rolling and compressing the clay to the perfect thickness, and cutting out the mug's body, base, and handle to prepare for assembly.
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Part 2: Building A Ceramic Mug
In Part 2, Ciara Moran demonstrates how to assemble the mug by scoring, slipping, and joining the body and base. She then shapes the cylinder, adds a custom handle, and explains the crucial drying and firing process to finish your durable, handmade stoneware mug.
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