This video demonstrates how to make three variations of a simple cylindrical slab mug using a pattern as a guide. I recommend this for people of the beginner and intermediate levels working in clay. I am using a slab which I texture in this video- but of course, you can make without texture. My ceramics II students have a textured slab set project for which this technique really lends itself. The pattern I used was 11" long by 3.5" high.

The first mug is shown in detail of the construction process. I am using a beautiful MKM roller to add my texture to the clay after I lightly dusted it with cornstarch. I use the Kemper SWB scratchwire brush for scoring the slabs and handles. (See my doc below for links to the MKM rollers and tools). Off camera, I build the other two. When the forms are built, then I show the stretching and shaping of the forms to create the two variations of the straight slab. One shows a footring. I also show how I make handles with texture from the carrot slam method. (Learned this first from Sandi Pierantozzi… check out her gorgeous work!) I texture the handles, and cover the handles and cups together to allow to get leatherhard overnight. The next day, I show how I attach the handles. When everything is finished, I don’t believe I mention it, but SLOW DRYING is of the greatest importance for even drying. Don’t ever allow your cups with handles to dry uncovered quickly… it is the surest way to get cracking at your handles!

For the great tools I used in the video (including the MKM rollers and the wooden Kemper tools) check out this link to a live Googledoc I continually update with lots of my favorite tools on Amazon using my associate links! (also some non-amazon suggestions on here!)
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1X...

In this video, I am using standard 153, a nice midrange firing stoneware.

Check out my other slab mug videos as well!
I have a round slab cup with a squared bottom:
   • Creating a Round Slab Cup with a Dart...  
And a tripod slab cup:
   • How to make a Tripod Textured Slab Cu...  

I am a public high school ceramics teacher at William Mason High School in Mason, Ohio. (Mason is currently the largest high school in Ohio!) As a potter, I have been working in clay for over 30 years, and I have been teaching for over 28 years, the past 20 have been specifically teaching high school ceramics. I love what I do! I have my own studio in my home basement, where I work on my personal pottery for my Etsy site; https://www.etsy.com/shop/KaransPotsA...

I started my Youtube channel a few years ago, to make videos to help my students if they are absent and miss a demo, or if they would like to explore more advanced techniques independently. I have been amazed to reach such a wider audience than my own students!

Please subscribe to my channel if you would like to receive channel updates, or would like to learn more about clay and studio processes!