Online Mug Making Class Videos

Welcome to the workshop! Here's a bunch of videos to hep you on your way to making some mugs. You can also access these video directly from YouTube by clicking here. (They are unlisted, so you won't find them in a search).
If it seems like a lot of videos, don't worry- you don't have to watch them all. Here's my recommendation:
  • watch the Intro to class and tools
  • watch the two videos related to pinch/coil building. Try that
  • watch the two videos related to slab building. Try that
  • watch the video on adding handles and refining. Try finishing your two mugs

That's all you may need! The other videos show you some helpful tips (the "making clay softer" one is great for reclaiming clay if you want to start one over) and some other ideas to get the creative juices flowing.

Have fun!

Pinch and Coil Method

Pro tip: The "Alternate Way to Start Your Mug" is much faster, and the video is much shorter. I would try that first :)

Advantages of this method:
  • slow, meditative
  • pieces have a more hand-made/ hand-touched feel
  • more versatile: easy to make round and organic shapes

Disadvantages:
  • Can be difficult to control the clay (wants to go out, not up), which can be frustrating

Slab-Built Method

Pro tip: This is a great method for parents and kids to work on together. See the Tim Hansen Working With Kids videos at the bottom of this page.

Advantages of this method:
  • faster building process
  • pieces have more clean, crisp lines
  • great for simple geometric shapes, like cylinders
  • great for adding texture, which can be rolled into the slab

Disadvantages:
  • Lots of scrap clay, which has to be re-softened
  • Can be tricky to reinforce all the joints, which can lead to cracks in the firing

Refining and finishing you mug

Troubleshooting tips

Good for re-claiming clay if you want to start a piece over.
Common problem when using the pinch/coil method

Some Fun Approaches

these approaches both start from the pinch/coil method, although many ideas could be adopted for slab-built pieces as well. For a GREAT idea for adding texture to Slab-built mugs, check out Tim Hansen's Working With Kids videos below!

Bonus Videos: Working with Kids with guest artist Tim Hansen

There's some great ideas in these videos for adding texture that are great for both kids and adults. Wish I would have thought of this myself :)

About David  

David J. P. Hooker lives and works in the greater Chicago area, where he is an artist and Chair of the Art Department at Wheaton College. He received an M.F.A. in Ceramics from Kent State University and a B.A. in English from Furman University. 
 
His artistic practice explores the inherent value of materials, objects, and places, hoping to find ways to better connect and understand the world we live in. Recently he was awarded the Dunhuang Ceramic Residency and spent two months as artist in residence in Lanzhou, China. 
 
When David is not freaking out over deadlines, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Elaine, his children Abbey and Samuel, and the family cat, Evee. He also enjoys baseball, BBQ, and tennis—not necessarily in that order.
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Contact David