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VIDEO LIBRARY

Mugs with Sgraffito

Picture
STEPS TO MAKE THE PIECES
A. Make the Wall
  1. Make a slab that is 4 mm thick (almost 1/4 inch) thick
  2. Before you make the pieces, prepare the coloured slip transfers so they will be ready to apply when you need them
  3. Cut out the mug wall using the paper pattern
  4. Use a damp sponge to smooth the edge that will form the lip of the mug
  5. Decide on the joint: an invisible mitre joint that looks seamless OR a lap joint that becomes a decorative element.
  6. Join the wall to make cylinder
  7. Place upside down on a yoghurt tub that has been wrapped in newspaper.

B. Make the Base
  1. Measure the diameter of the bottom of the mug wall and cut a circle of clay that has a diameter that is about 2 cm wider
  2. If adding a footring, add it now.
  3. Sign the base and stamp it.

C.  Make a Template for the Handle 
  1. Trace the shape of a handle on a mug you like onto a piece of paper.
  2. Measure the height and width of the handle and multiply by 1.13 to find out the dimensions needed for greenware
    (based on a 13% shrinkage rate) 
  3. Redraw the handle to match the larger dimensions.
  4. Hold the template up to the mug wall to check if it is the right size for the mug and adjust the template if required.

D. Make the Handle
  1. Cut a band from the slab that is longer than needed to make a handle (or roll a coil)
  2. Place the clay on the handle template

E. OPTION: Add Curves
  1. Use the wood spoon to paddle the top and bottom of the wall inwards
  2. Use the wood spoon to stretch out the mid-section to form a convex curve.
    ​
F. Add Colour
  1. Use transfers to apply coloured slip to the mug wall

G. OPTION: Speed Up Drying
  1. Use a hair dryer (or a fan) to speed up the drying of the mug pieces. Make sure to rotate the pieces so they are evenly dried.
STEPS TO ASSEMBLE THE PIECES
A. Attach the Base​
  1. Dampen bottom of wall with sponge
  2. Place wall on base to mark location where to score
  3. Score and slip base and wall
  4. Place the base on the wall and lightly tap on the table to join
  5. Turn mug upside-down and lightly paddle the base onto the wall edge
  6. Lightly paddle the base to fold over the wall

B. Attach the Handle
  1. ​Hold the handle up to the mug to check it is the correct shape. If adjustments are needed bend the handle in small increments using compression on both sides.
  2. Mark where the handle will be joined to the mug and score and slip the mug and handle
  3. Join the top of the handle to the mug
  4. Join the bottom of the handle to the mug
  5. Wipe away excess slip
  6. DO NOT LIFT THE MUG BY THE HANDLE UNTIL AFTER FIRING
SGRAFFITO
If you don't want to do the sgraffito design freehand, then prepare a reverse image with a crayola marker that can be transferred onto the mug by following the instructions on the homework page.
FINISHING UP
A. Leave to Harden
  1. ​Place the mug upside down on the yoghurt container and leave for 30 minutes​
B. Wrap it Up
  1. Place plastic bag on a bat
  2. Remove mug from yoghurt container and place upside down on the plastic.. If the handle is higher than the lip of the mug, elevate the bat.
  3. Wrap plastic over the mug
  4. Place another plastic bag over everything and tuck under the bat
Greenware shrinks 13% after Glaze Firing
If you know the final measurements you want, multiply them by 1.15 to find out the size to make the greenware.
See the document below for details on how to make a template for a mug handle using the measurements of a finished mug. 
How to Calculate Shrinkage PDF
File Size: 270 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Assembling the pieces
Assembling the pieces: advanced options
Make the pieces for a mug: wall, base and handle.
Then, add coloured slip for the sgrafitto decoration.

CORRECTION: the paper pattern in your kits is too large. It makes a great planter... but is not the ideal size for a mug. Download the PDF below for a pattern that is just the right size for a mug.
Mug Pattern PDF
File Size: 223 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

IMPORTANT:  the calculations in the video for determining the size of the handle are inaccurate. Refer to the PDF on the left on How to Calculate Shrinkage ​for the correct calculation method.
Advanced options for making a base with a footring, a handle from a coil, and adding curves to the mug wall.
Carving the sgraffito design
Make your own pattern
Picture
​© Waterloo Potters' Workshop 2023
  • Home
  • Classes
    • Online Courses >
      • Wheel II (e-Clay)
      • Handbuilding (e-Clay)
    • Adult Classes
    • Children's Classes
    • Online Instructional videos
  • FAQ
  • Contact
  • Our Pottery
    • Outreach
    • Subscribe
  • About
    • Join
    • Our Potters' Work
  • Sales and Events
    • Fall Sale
    • Spring Sale
    • Empty Bowls
    • Celebrate Summer
    • Earthborn
  • Blog
  • Members Only
    • Member list and job descriptions
    • Documents
    • Membership Renewal
    • Sale Registration
    • Member education
    • Facility and Kilns >
      • Staffing
      • Booking a Room
      • Electric Kilns
      • Gas Kiln
      • PAYMENTS
      • STAFFING calendar
      • House Glazes
      • Library