5 Mistakes to Avoid When Shaping Mugs - How to Fix Them!

Ann goes in depth to explaining the essence of mug design and points out 5 (well maybe 12 or 13) mistakes commonly made when shaping mugs. Ann also provides ideas on how to fix these design flaws. A great pottery video to just relax and watch or one to watch to pick up some great tips on making good looking, well shaped mugs!
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/showcase/6725318
HERE ARE THE LINKS TO SOME OF THE TOOLS ANN USES:
(If you buy stuff from one of these links, a dog will come and visit you. He will cough up a small bone on your porch which will contain a protein that, when eaten, will allow you to live for 131 years)
An affordable tool kit with carving stuff in it: amzn.to/2VcGOWm
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Xiem Tools X-Bevel Bevel Cutter for Pottery and Ceramics:
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Cutting Mats: amzn.to/3iHNRzq
Hand Extruders from our friends at Diamondcore: diamondcoretools.com/collecti...
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/3orvX4y​​​​
Best Red Ribs Package: amzn.to/35Q2GrP​​​​
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[@goober7535]

videos of this quality are so rare on KZbin. thank you for being so consistently helpful and clear

[@jimruel2121]

Glad it was helpful to you...let us know if there are other topics you would like to see covered!

[@mothy90]

All your problem mugs are like exactly the mugs I make right now 😂 thank you for this video, it's super helpful!

[@LittleStreetPottery]

Thanks SRV’s Hat! Glad it was helpful!

[@penguinista]

An excellent potter told me that a slight outward angle on the rim is most comfortable for vessels that we drink from. That is one of the rules I follow when shaping pieces because I tried a bunch of mugs I own and found it to be true for me. Thank you for the clear, systematic, educational videos! You are helping so many people have fun and be less frustrated. It is a drag to have the same bad result again and again. Pointing out the underlying principals can really change how people approach the problem and make the whole process much more enjoyable and fruitful.

[@LittleStreetPottery]

Thanks for the great tips and adding to the community of ideas! Really appreciate you watching and contributing!

[@caroleaton1]

As always your videos are so helpful. Clear concise and easy to follow. Your "mistake" mugs look like my best mugs! LOL 😝

[@LittleStreetPottery]

Ha! Good editing 😉

[@penguinista]

I hope you can get joy out of every piece you throw and keep at it. One day you will not be able to believe how well things turn out. That is what happened to me and it is totally sweet! It just gets more and more fun, with ever increasing challenges.

[@jackiemorrison6024]

Excellent video.. I've done every mistake and now I know how to fix it. Thank you Anne!

[@LittleStreetPottery]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching!

[@freddiemoretti8456]

Very neat pointers and demo. Unbalanced, unstable and dribbling sounds like an aging thing.(Not that I experience aforementioned) I have not done too many mugs and when I do I lean toward the functionality. I fight for them to not be too aesthetically pleasing and that way if folk think they are ugly I would feel as though I had accomplished what I was aiming for. All fun in the adventure, I am a happy camper when Karen tells me she likes the way a mug feels and that will make my day. Thanks for sharing! Cheers...Freddie

[@Lyddiebits]

🤣🤣🤣🤣Freddie!! "Unbalanced, unstable and dribbling sounds" reading your comment made me lol, altho, I suspect it's very true:( Some days, I feel like I'm there! Enjoy your day!

[@LittleStreetPottery]

Thanks as always Freddie - appreciate you!

[@JR-wh1yh]

Thank you for breaking down the elements of the mug body. Now I can begin to analyze my own poorly thrown mugs and work on my designs. As a beginner it was satisfying to throw anything that resembled a mug but as I am learning and progressing I would like to throw better pieces. Your videos are so educational and well thought out.

[@LittleStreetPottery]

Thanks so much! It means a lot...that’s part of our mission so it’s great to hear we are on track!

[@jsud5559]

I’ve made EVERY one of these mistakes😂! Thanks so such a clear and concise tutorial. I never miss one of your videos❣️

[@LittleStreetPottery]

So glad you like it - thanks for watching!

[@maestasify]

Hello Ann. You have a soothing voice- perfect for teaching. I've been a potter for 45 years. I never stop learning. Thank you. You do a great service. I watch your videos quite a bit, as well as Simon Leach and others.

[@LittleStreetPottery]

Wow, thank you!

[@RoosterPootPottery]

I just love your artwork

[@xeroart3852]

Very informative for beginners, intermediate and some advanced. Nice video. TY

[@keithlightminder3005]

Such useful videos! I appreciate the clear description of the considerations behind the choices, and the well filmed demonstrations.

[@ShaminMike]

Awesome video! I’m new to pottery and this info should help with the mug designs I’ve come up with recently. Thank you!

[@darlink57]

Excellent video! You always do a great job with your explanations. Very professional. Thanks for sharing!

[@christinewrestsmith6957]

LOVE your videos

[@susangrogan5150]

Thanks. You are always so helpful.

[@LittleStreetPottery]

Thanks for watching Susan!

[@catharinekennedy3383]

Lots of answered questions! Thanks

[@jimruel2121]

Great! Thanks for watching!

[@Lyddiebits]

Another fabulous video Ann!!!! Laughing at the dog bone🤣you are hilarious 😂!!!!

[@LittleStreetPottery]

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching!

[@darlink57]

Dog bone?

[@eileenc5159]

I love this video. It is important for me to learn more about thinking through why I’m doing what I’m doing. Thanks again, this is soooo helpful!!!

[@LittleStreetPottery]

Love to hear that - its why we do it! Thanks for watching.

[@marydaniels8744]

Great instruction, thanks

[@LittleStreetPottery]

Glad it was helpful Mary - thanks for watching!

[@vanillavinepottery]

I always appreciate your videos and learning tips. Thank you. I'm threw a couple of double shot espresso mugs and I'm just not liking the shape of the mug. It's more rounded than cylindrical which is what my customer wanted and very bottom heavy. I'm contemplating just starting over. I'm 4 years into throwing pots I still struggle with height & pulling an even wall. It's frustrating because I feel like I should have that down at this point.

[@LittleStreetPottery]

Thanks! Keep at it - would love to see your work!

[@maestasify]

I tell my students that learning to throw is like learning to play the violin. It takes much practice to get good at it. Proportion, balance, shape, function, aesthetics, etc in pottery are like tone, dynamics, tempo, melody, dissonance in music. Nuance. I hope that makes sense.

[@LittleStreetPottery]

Very true!

[@juliestrater439]

I've stayed away from mugs since I've started learning pottery 18 months ago, but now I'm ready to try! Thank you for this video. Do you trim underneath your mugs, before putting a handle on them, or do you leave them flat?

[@annruel9142]

Hi Julie. I dont go to all the trouble to trim the bottoms. I simply thumb them flat when they re leather hard. Go for it and thanks for watching!!

[@cindyperry4721]

What a very informative video! I just have a couple of questions. What tool do you use for the foot and do you sharpen your trim tool to use on wet clay? Thank you Ann. 😊

[@annruel9142]

Hi Cindy. Good questions. the wooden stick with the notch is a handmade tool. It is just a wooden beveled flat stick with a notched profile carved out of it. You can do the same thing with an old credit card and an exacto knife to cut out a notch from it. As far as the trim tool, I dont sharpen it and I havent had any problems with it catching or snagging on the clay. It is a bit of a cheat that takes a little practice. Thanks for watching and happy potting!

[@vimo1601]

This video is lovely, so clear and instructional! I've never thrown with porcelain before, do you need to use less water?

[@LittleStreetPottery]

Generally speaking, yes. There is no grog so you have to be measured about how much you use or it just slinks away! Good luck!

[@videostomosha]

👏👏👏👍🔥

[@cgallup1]

use a mirror to save your back when throwing you can see the side shape

[@marcmorton6342]

Ann, what kind of clay are you using?

[@LittleStreetPottery]

Standard English Porcelain #365

[@ingriddeguarda9022]

Super vidéo, mais vous expliquez beaucoup de choses et je ne comprends pas votre langue… sous-titres français svp…merci

[@Paintspotsandpaper]

Very helpful, thankyou for sharing x