Handmade Pottery Mug Topper

Everyone needs a mug topper(lid) or two!
In this tutorial I show you how to make a simple mug topper that will fit most any mug. Yes, these will fit your wheel thrown mugs too! I even tell you how to make one that matches the mug in my handbill mug video perfectly. These are fabulous to make for craft fairs, farmers markets and make great gifts. During my recent Open Studio Weekend I sold out of every single one I had in my studio and I had a lot!
Tools & Materials
Southwest Rolling Pin from www.claysharemarket.com
1/4" Clay Slab, I am using Laguna Bmix5 without grog
4.5", 3" & 3.5" Circle Cookie Cutters
Ware Board or Slab Mat
Flexible Ribs
Sponge
Water
Rolling Pin or Slab Roller to roll out your clay slab
Color shaper
Slip
Serrated Rib
My Camera: Sony RX100 VII
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About me:
I am a US Air Force Veteran, Ceramic Artist, Founder of ClayShare.com, Illustrator, Educator, Gluten Free Baker, Chicken Mama, Crazy Cat Lady and Newbie Guitarist. My studio is nestled in the Green Mountains of Vermont and it is here that I make pottery, film my videos and share my love for clay. Subscribe and follow my adventures in clay, art and Vermont life.
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[@healingsprings11]

Glad you're feeling better ... Those toppers are handy dandy , and yes, kitty proof 😎 🐈 🙆

[@violetsands]

use as a topper and then at the table take the topper off and put on table as a coaster - also would work well to help stack mugs in the cupboard

[@stephencook9727]

I hope you feel fully well soon. I always follow your videos, as I try to learn to be a potter at home in my spare time.

[@blurrylights6344]

Water pistols have worked for me with the cats on the counter issue. Seriously, consider where their feet have been. They train to it quickly so that just picking it up will make a cat come out of the jumping crouch. The brightly colored ones from the dollar store are a good choice.

[@JessicaPutnamPhillips]

So true, I know where those feet have been!

[@judymiller8640]

What a great idea! Thank you

[@engelan5]

I'm so in love with the ginkgo mug and plate.😍😍😍 nice video

[@JessicaPutnamPhillips]

I have to agree with you that they are a gorgeous pair! :)

[@anitaproctor7437]

I so love your videos, I am trying to get my studio together .8 have learned so much from you.if I have questions may I contact you I'm a cancer survivor I had taken Pottery years ago like 15 years ago and I just now got a pottery wheel and Kiln and I have a throwing table and I'm trying to get it together so I can do something out there while I'm getting over my cancer I would appreciate if I could contact you if I have questions thank you I need a proctor

[@mrohmiller1098]

Excellent!❤️

[@janetpharris861]

Like the coffee bean and cup roller! I couldn't find that one anywhere!

[@JessicaPutnamPhillips]

I got mine a few years ago from ETSY. I think they also sell on amazon as Sun Crafts.

[@kindredacre2464]

🏺 5" ruffle edge remedy... Stove pipe hardware store 💜 could even go bigger for bowls 😁 the edge of the pipes are rippled like that.

[@JessicaPutnamPhillips]

Such a great idea! I never even thought of a stove pipe as an option, thanks!

[@bb27232]

love these and love your videos!!

[@jwstanley2645]

You are such a blast to watch. Get well, or keep getting well-er. :-)

[@JessicaPutnamPhillips]

Thanks, I am much well-er today! ;)

[@garncarstwo-jana9246]

Ładna sukienka. Kubki też :) Pozdrawiam super mistrzyni! :)

[@CoxJoxSox]

That edge tool is a silicone-tip tool originally used for gel mediums

[@JessicaPutnamPhillips]

They are also called a color shaper and I use them all the time in oil painting but they are a not often used in ceramics so I just call it a rubber tipped tool to make it easier. :)

[@MyPowerfulHome]

Love this. I made my first hand built mug yesterday as per your tutoring. It turned out pretty good. Hey do a video on a cat mug, for a person.....

[@JessicaPutnamPhillips]

a cat mug is a great idea, I"ll see what I can do. :)

[@deborarinehart2120]

How about using them as coasters to match your mug while you are drinking your hot beverage? These are so cute! I will have to give it a try. I have sales coming up in the next few months. Thank you and I hope you feel better soon!!!

[@JessicaPutnamPhillips]

I do also make the as coaster and leave the bottom disk off. :)

[@1958pobs]

With the lids on it is easier to stack the mugs in the cupboard 🙂

[@JessicaPutnamPhillips]

Thats very true! Another great reason to make mug lids! :)

[@blackcrowartistry]

My cat loves tea. I can't turn my back to find him drinking it.

[@jeanannsavery4420]

Any tricks for keeping mugs or other cylinders to stay round as they dry & fire

[@cindychiupka-jozin1532]

Jessica, I made a bunch of these, dried them really slowly with a board on top to help with warping, but they all warped anyways! Was my clay too thin? I also glazed both sides and used stilts to fire them. Could that have been why they warped ? !

[@lindajordana755]

If you need a coaster, you could use it as a coaster.

[@JessicaPutnamPhillips]

yes, you could! :)

[@revelatoryartist]

Nooo ur voice... its whiskey voice. A 5th and 3 packs of cigs and boom.... hoarse voice. 😃 Your biggest FAN!! Richard the huge coffee cup dude. 😉

[@JessicaPutnamPhillips]

I know!!! It's terrible but the good news is that it is almost back to normal today! :)

[@bonitariley4649]

Jessica - what clay are you using for these mugs? I’m very new to pottery so specifics would be appreciated. Thank you.

[@DebiHews]

Where do you get the cookie cutters?

[@JessicaPutnamPhillips]

they came in a set on amazon.

[@MyPowerfulHome]

Where did you get the cookie cutters?

[@JessicaPutnamPhillips]

these came in a set on amazon.

[@CoxJoxSox]

Mmmmmm catpaw tea

[@JessicaPutnamPhillips]

lol, right! ;)

[@tineschrijvers3174]

Is your color shaper firm or flexible?

[@JessicaPutnamPhillips]

It is flexible, Oh and I just some at a clay supply store last week and they are now calling them clay shapers! :)

[@tineschrijvers3174]

I'm curious why you didn't decide to just put a flange on the underside to keep the topper from "toppling" off, rather than a whole solid piece. Is that because you think it will warp more easily with a flange?

[@JessicaPutnamPhillips]

you could just put a flange on the bottom, I just went with the sold circle because I like the way it looked. :)

[@CoxJoxSox]

There goes your opera career :O

[@JessicaPutnamPhillips]

Yep, I'll be practicing to be a mime now if the whole pottery thing doesn't work out .:)