How To Hand Build The Perfect Mug

We've had numerous requests for a video specifically focused on the construction of Ann's geometric mugs. This very detailed, step-by-step guides the viewer through the process of creating the perfect mug! This is also a relaxing pottery video to just watch Ann work as well.
If you would like to learn Ann's underglaze painting, glazing, and decorating process then check out Ann's Video Workshop Series. These workshops are very detailed (typically 1.5 - 2 hours in length) where Ann provides step by step instruction and are designed to help potters take their work to new levels of craftsmanship and artistry. vimeo.com/show...
HERE ARE THE LINKS TO SOME OF THE TOOLS ANN USES:
Xiem Tools X-Bevel Bevel Cutter for Pottery and Ceramics:
amzn.to/3jbsBAT
Cutting Mats: amzn.to/3iHNRzq
Also check out the BEST pottery tool makers in the universe:
Hand Extruder from our friends at Diamondcore: diamondcoretoo...
Here is the rubber mats we use to make our stamps: amzn.to/3etFx3z
Dowel Rods: amzn.to/3dgHJuZ
ProPlus Sponge: amzn.to/35963KE
Ultimate Edger: amzn.to/2Ss5zMX
Brushes Ann Uses: amzn.to/3orvX4...
Best Red Ribs Package: amzn.to/35Q2Gr...
The Cameras we use: amzn.to/3n79LM...
Best Cheap Lens we film with: amzn.to/3jiHOyW
ALL of the music used by Little Street Pottery is legally licensed from Artlist

[@sarahkewin9678]

You are the Bob Ross of pottery. It's so relaxing to watch you work, and I'm learning so much!

[@barbwired310]

I would say that mug is as perfect as human hands can make. Great tutorial-you are incredibly talented in both making and teaching pottery!

[@LittleStreetPottery]

Thanks so much! We really appreciate you watching!

[@amyshimm]

You included so many important details, and the video angles were so clear. It's one of the best handbuilding videos I've seen!

[@pottery59]

Thank you for producing and sharing this video. It is QUITE helpful. I have made many-a-mug but now it's time to move away from a *rustic* look of my mugs to a more *refined* look. This video is exactly what I need as a tutorial to accomplish that. Your presentation is perfect! And kudos to the videographer; it's very well shot.

[@LittleStreetPottery]

Thank you for watching - glad it was helpful!

[@mindygeist7157]

Thanks so much! I never would’ve thought to use my wheel for a hand built mug,you’ve just made my life so much easier and answered so many questions 😊☕️🍩💕

[@sherierodrigues1569]

Dear Ann. I would just like to say how much I appreciate your videos. I know they take time and effort, you are so beautiful and generous to share your art with us, I along with all your many fans, have a lot of pleasure listening to your very calm voice and watching your hands create fabulous work. I go tomorrow to our local pottery group for the first time, and I will be taking a far amount of your tips with me, I'll blow them away lol. Thank you, l like your style. Sherie Rodrigues from Australia 😍

[@LittleStreetPottery]

Thanks Sherie! Would love to see your work! Thanks for watching and the kind words!

[@dickwhite8246]

Very nice tutorial. An idea - when preparing the handle blank for attachment, rather than cut the top end square with a knife or needle tool, I use a large biscuit cutter or circle cutter that approximately matches the diameter of the mug rim. That way, I get a concave end on the handle that better matches the mug where I am attaching it.

[@LittleStreetPottery]

Great idea! Thanks for sharing!

[@shaunhall960]

I'm a jewelry artist just getting into working with clay. I think whenever you start working with a new medium it really does kick your creativity into overdrive.

[@eileenc5159]

Thank you sooo much for this video. I had not seen it on line before although you did it 2 years ago. So helpful. You have gone over such important steps like using the shrinkage ruler, beveling the edges. Perfection. I am so appreciative. I will watch the video on making the stamp. You’re super terrific. ❤

[@carolynpearce4829]

Pastry mats! I use a pastry rolling pin because I don’t have a slab roller either, but I never thought of using pastry mats. So glad I watched this older video.

[@freesurfable]

Thank you Ann for sharing generously the different steps to create this beautiful mug. Your tips and tricks are precious especially for a beginner. Hello from south of France

[@grammyscat422]

Great tutorial! I lay a piece of plastic wrap over the slab after texture and cutting and before picking it up. It helps to keep finger marks off of the texture when wrapping and connecting.

[@ECBurt]

Best video for making a handbuilt mug!! Thank you, you do a great job explaining, love your clean edges...and I have to buy that tool for handle making!

[@conniemezzo9370]

Ok Ann...you have convinced me to try to make a textured, hand built mug AGAIN, but this time using YOUR technique! I have to date been unsuccessful.... But with your video as my guide, I'm going to try again 😊 Thank you for another very detailed teaching video!

[@LittleStreetPottery]

Awesome...would love to see your version!

[@BBugel]

I have rarely learned as much from a video as I did from this one!

[@LittleStreetPottery]

Thanks 😊 I appreciate you watching!

[@dianemoore5985]

This is one of the best I've seen on handbuilding a mug! I'd like to see you post elaborating on drying to prevent warping. Thank you so much!

[@LittleStreetPottery]

With porcelain like mine I have to really allow it to dry slowly. I cover with plastic and keep it away from the air conditioning for the first 24 hours. You can’t rush porcelain, it’s a diva clay! Other more groggy clay may be more tolerant to dry quickly but I’ve only been working with porcelain.

[@amandaraddatz5874]

My Goodness that’s an amazing mug. Thank you for taking us through the process!

[@morningcoffeepottery5416]

Beautiful!

[@brendamcdonald8699]

Excellent teacher😊

[@marilynbruce753]

I can only echo all the other peoples responses. I really need this tutorial thank you.

[@annettebowen1540]

So clean, I love that your slabs don’t have bulky seams!

[@danenderle3580]

Fantastic tutorial! Thank you for time and effort it went in to share your talents with us! Your instruction is very clear, through your voice and quality camera work! The music is also very relaxing to accompany your beautiful creation.

[@LittleStreetPottery]

Thanks Dan!

[@montgomery59]

I've been struggling with bottles (mostly to have a nice oil bottle for beside my cooker), but I am reasonably confident in closed forms. I hadn't considered closing the form and then adding spout or pourer to the form. I know what I'm throwing tonight!

[@juliatoft9183]

So very grateful to you for making these high quality videos. Yesterday I hand built a mug which would have been so much better if I had only watched your video first! Today I will try a second one haha. Again, thank you!

[@LittleStreetPottery]

Thanks Julia! That makes my day and is why we do it!

[@Spinquilter]

Fabulous tutorial. All of your tutorials are fabulous and easy to follow!! Thank you!

[@LittleStreetPottery]

Thanks- I appreciate you watching!

[@catherinekasdan4425]

You are amazing. Excellent video

[@alphonsechanekayebone7871]

Beautiful mug and design...

[@carolthomas6337]

Thank you Ann.

[@charlottesmom]

Arrgh!! I just bought canvas cloth to make a slab rolling board, I could have saved some $ by using pastry mats 😫. I also bought 1/4" square dowels to put on either side of my rolling pin to get the desired thickness and I know I have at least two yardsticks hanging around the dowel was only $1.00 though. This is the first video of yours I've seen....so far and definitely bot the last!

[@LittleStreetPottery]

Yeah, we go cheap here at LSP! :)

[@Lisa-om1zn]

I’m new to slab pottery. I love your videos, I learn so much. May I ask what is the tool you used to work on the bottom section?

[@BenLe42]

Thank you so much! What a great video. Your attention to details shines through all your work! The devil is in the details, and you aint got no devil left in any of these mugs

[@LittleStreetPottery]

Glad you liked it!

[@taliawurtzelhirsh9474]

This was a great video!! I made 2 beautiful mugs after watching.

[@LittleStreetPottery]

Awesome! Would love to see - feel free to drop a link in the comments to share your work!

[@artemisarrow9545]

simply amazing

[@pritinagwani507]

Excellent, highly precise job.

[@alexforget]

I really like your video, they are very well shot and narrated.

[@LittleStreetPottery]

Thanks! We appreciate you watching!

[@LOUEARLshoes]

So very nice!!

[@jillwhite790]

Excellent video! Thank you for sharing your expertise. I have struggled with hand built mugs, but now I'm more hopeful.

[@LittleStreetPottery]

Thanks Jill! Keep trying!

[@Jawst]

Thank you so much for this tutorial it's absolutely brilliant, way better than anything else I found! ❤️ is it possible to glaze the mug with a basic sodium silicate wash to make it food safe and retain all of its features?! A lot of people use sodium silicate for cracks effect, but nobody I've seen has done any videos about using it as a sealer and glaze!

[@LittleStreetPottery]

OK - sodium silicate is not a glaze - we just used it to dry out the clay - the silicate actually burns away in the fire. You can use it to decorate the mug with the silicate (as we did) but you will need to bisque fire (to your clays specifications for vitrification) and add a glaze on the inside to prevent staining from any liquid poured into it. Hope that helps!

[@mamemckee2190]

Great demos, Ann. Thanks!

[@tksmith3698]

Thanks Anne

[@adrianasilveira4561]

What a lovely design.

[@camistonge]

Really great tutorial. Thank you teaching.

[@francesgribbon5322]

Thank you for this video!

[@kizzygee123]

This is a really good tutorial! Thank you for this!

[@livingtheplantedlife]

Very pretty 🤓

[@nancycowell-miller4321]

Great detailed demo! Thanks 😊

[@LittleStreetPottery]

Thanks for watching!

[@simonebertino8600]

Nice work

[@ellenhorovitz3517]

Great video, can you reference where you bought your extruded tool and the bevel maker for joining the cuts? Thank you in advance

[@LittleStreetPottery]

Diamondcore - other link in description.

[@colettevarize4230]

Beautiful work. I love it

[@jackiemorrison6024]

Thank you Ann for making this. I did a pm to you on fb asking you to do this video. Fb gave me a time out of 7 days 2 days ago. They misread a post but there is no way to fix it so will just have to wait it out... thanks again..Im going to try this

[@LittleStreetPottery]

Whaaaa??? That's weird...I hope this is what you and others were looking for - we had fun making it!

[@BBugel]

Thank you for this wonderful video!

[@LittleStreetPottery]

You are so welcome!

[@denisewood9636]

Great video, thank you! Can you explain how you finished the top of the handle, it looks like you added a band there?

[@LittleStreetPottery]

Yes, sometimes I add a little band around the top of the handle both as a decorative transition (especially on larger mugs) and to add a little strength. I just roll out a little coil, wet it and attach. Thanks for watching!

[@brucewohlfeld2157]

Great instruction! Where did you get the angle cutter?

[@LittleStreetPottery]

In the description

[@heatherjonz102]

I love it! Beautiful mug!!

[@МарияШевченко-л8я]

very, very beautiful and accurate! what kind of ceramic mass did you use?

[@LittleStreetPottery]

Standard Porcelain #365

[@zeliaq]

I licked it vey much. Great tutorial. Thanks a lot.

[@linesydclb8845]

Hi Anne, thanks for the video - you have such a lovely narration voice. Where do you get the ruler that gives the clay shrinkage, please?

[@LittleStreetPottery]

Thanks Carolyn! I got the ruler from Diamondcore. There is a link in the description for the extruder that should take you to their site. Thanks for watching!

[@carolynsnyder7043]

I always enjoy your videos! This was great instruction for a mug! Thank you

[@LittleStreetPottery]

Thanks Carolyn! I appreciate you watching!

[@carolinacamargo3159]

Great video! How humid/dry should the slab be?

[@LittleStreetPottery]

I cut mine right off the slab so its wet but not sloppy...not leather hard either. Thanks.

[@Pherine1]

Excellent Ann, I hope my mugs will improve x x

[@LittleStreetPottery]

I predict they will! :) Thanks for watching!

[@sharonsabbagh1457]

Great demonstration. Question which wheel are you using ? Question. Your slip looks thicker is there a recipe you would like to share?

[@ReapWhatYouSeauxLeJeune]

Very nice! Great tutorial!

[@janjones8229]

Ann, thank you for your generosity in sharing your knowledge through these expertly made videos. May I ask, how long is the handle section? Warm regards!

[@LittleStreetPottery]

These are about the same as the height of the mug - 6"

[@augustawallace3422]

I noticed a piece of clay that is at top of handle. It looks like a "ring" same shape as extruder and pushed against to fit perfectly

[@LittleStreetPottery]

Yep, sometimes I add that to create a transition between the handle design and mug texture...I think it looks more natural that way sometimes. Thanks for watching!

[@lj.3589]

I noticed that too and was a bit disappointed that it wasn't part of the demonstration as it really improves the appearance of the handle. I can't like the video without that instructional element.

[@maryamvlogs432]

Very nice good job 👍

[@deeraun-linde9711]

Thank you for the wonderful demonstration! Beautiful hand built mug!! I also love that geometric shape. Can you tell me where you purchased it or who makes it? Thx!!

[@LittleStreetPottery]

We made our own patterns from rubber mats...check out the videos from 2 weeks ago...it explains how we made them. We are working with someone to potentially produce these for us so subscribe and stay tuned!

[@deeraun-linde9711]

@@LittleStreetPottery Thank you! I’ll check it out!

[@freddiemoretti8456]

Cheers...Freddie

[@LittleStreetPottery]

Hey Freddie! Hope you are doing well!

[@peterl4864]

WOW!

[@teralee4987]

This is possibly the best slab mug tutorial that I've seen (and I've paid for online workshops...). Quick question - do you let the slab dry a bit before shaping it around the cylinder? Thanks in advance!

[@jimruel2121]

Hi Teralee! Yes, Ann let’s it dry just a bit (so the clay does not slouch) when wrapping. It’s porcelain too so it dries out pretty fast.

[@cathyschlereth9824]

Ann, can you tell me the measurement around the carpet tube is that your using. I tried one from our carpet store and it seems too large. Thanks so much. Cathy S

[@dlmcder]

What type of clay do you use and where could I purchase it and what is the con firing for this particular Clay thank you for the information.

[@bbjo787]

I always love your videos, however, I would LOVE to have seen the finished product after glazing.

[@LittleStreetPottery]

Yep...us too! We try and combine work to minimize firings and saving energy. You might like tomorrows video short coming out...start to finish in 60 seconds!

[@mkamb2159]

Hi there! Thank you so much for your amazing tutorials ❤ I noticed when I make a slab of my buff smooth it’s really too wet to manipulate afterwards. So I role out a bunch and sort of leave them out to harden a bit before making mugs. The consistency of your slab in the video looks like you’ve done the same. I wanted to ask, is it something you do or recommend? Thanks again - your fan

[@LittleStreetPottery]

I typically can use the clay right after rolling out - but that will depend on the clay. If your clay takes a little time to set up then what your are doing makes sense. Thanks!

[@mkamb2159]

@@LittleStreetPottery thank you!

[@leslieg8219]

Where did you get the handle tool from? Beautiful mug and your instructions are wonderful.

[@LittleStreetPottery]

Thanks... Diamondcore makes the handle extruder

[@agentcomptable1091]

the best

[@smartypantsify]

Anne, where can I purchase the rubber mat to make the chevron design?

[@LittleStreetPottery]

Links in the description.

[@laelhouse]

좋은 설명 감사합니다 잘배우고 갑니다 구독 좋아요 누르고 갑니다

[@LittleStreetPottery]

대단히 감사하고 환영합니다!

[@charlynvedder6740]

I’m new to throwing so I’m sorry if this is a dumb question but how are your hands not squishing the pattern you made when your forming it around the cylinder?

[@LittleStreetPottery]

not a dumb question! There is some squishing that occurs but you can usually fix it up with a needle tool or carving tool...it's handmade, not machine so there will be inherent imperfectness :) Thanks!

[@dianemoore5985]

Guidance on locating the tubing and cutting mats, please?

[@LittleStreetPottery]

Link to cutting mats in description...the tubing we found in the trash behind the carpet store 🙂.

[@dianemoore5985]

@@LittleStreetPottery lol, thank you 😊

[@bettymollick3820]

Where can I purchase an extruder tool like the one used to create the mug handle? What is the exact name of this tool please. I very much enjoyed your video. Thank you for sharing your talent!

[@LittleStreetPottery]

Our friends at Diamondcore has them link : diamondcoretools.com/collections/clay-extruders

[@bettymollick3820]

@@LittleStreetPottery Thank you! for your quick response and again Thank You! for your tutorial. I look forward to learning from you in the future.

[@rachiebunbun]

Hi Ann! I'd like to ask, where can I find the ruler you used in you video? It's perfect for handbuilding!

[@LittleStreetPottery]

I got those at Diamondcore but not sure if they still sell them. If they don't then I'm sure Sheffield Pottery probably has something similar.

[@ellen7100]

Is it porcelain? and which cone? Thanks for the nice videos.

[@LittleStreetPottery]

Standard English Porcelain #365 - Cone 5. Thanks for watching!

[@ellen7100]

Thank you very much, unbelievably, porcelain is burned at cone 5

[@dianemoore5985]

Your clay doesn't seem to stick to pastry sheets, that's good. Is it hard to keep from cutting them when using a utility type knife?

[@LittleStreetPottery]

Sometimes I have to just bend the edge of the pastry sheet to start the peeling of the clay but generally, they don’t stick. (Depends on how wet your clay is too). I don’t use the utility knife on the pastry sheets...just the needle tool.

[@dianemoore5985]

@@LittleStreetPottery thanks. Appreciate your videos 🙂

[@mjceramics5552]

Ann, you said something about refining the rim if you have a banding wheel but I didn't catch what you meant. How can you get that nice rim without a pottery wheel?

[@deborahvidinha3311]

Can you please tell me where to purchase the handle extruder? Mine are plan I like that bump you have in yours

[@LittleStreetPottery]

Diamondcore...there is a link in the description....enjoy!

[@deborahvidinha3311]

@@LittleStreetPottery thank you!

[@williamblack4611]

What a beautiful mug. I must have the hands of a gorilla. Just can seem to make hand-built mugs. What are the most important steps in the process.

[@LittleStreetPottery]

Measurements must be accurate! Try not to stretch your clay and mess up your measurements which will induce warping etc. keep going!

[@erwinmurray3520]

What type of clay is it

[@maryannreeves3592]

Please show this using a banding wheel. Many handbuilders do not have a wheel.

[@jimruel2121]

Noted! Thanks!

[@angelasmithers4628]

Could you say where the tool for forming the foot is from please?

[@LittleStreetPottery]

Hi Angela...I use a hand made wooden tool to form the foot but I’ve seen other folks use a notched credit card etc. check out our “10 Things to Make Your Mug Sexier” video for ideas!

[@angelasmithers4628]

@@LittleStreetPottery Thank you, I'll check it out :)

[@dianemodel5824]

Where do I get the tools you used?

[@LittleStreetPottery]

Diamondcore, the best tools! (And I’m not a paid endorser)

[@anythingnew001]

Did it need firing for finishing? Or not at all?

[@LittleStreetPottery]

This is just green ware stage...check the community section to see the finished pieces. Or, our video on Glazing Textured Pottery! Thanks!

[@anythingnew001]

@@LittleStreetPottery ok thanks

[@marianoarquesmengual1732]

Where can i buy this? 01:54

[@LittleStreetPottery]

I used to be able to get them at Walmart but can’t find them anymore. It’s a silicone pastry mat so I’m in search of a new brand. I’ll post if I find a suitable one...let us know if you find one! Thanks!

[@helenamedeiros5045]

😍👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@dccreations1361]

I'm SHOCKED that you wouldn't have a slab roller. Lol

[@LittleStreetPottery]

Too cheap!