How long does it take to make a mug?

The simple answer is 2 weeks. The real answer is 6-8 weeks.

Lets start with the simple answer.

Monday - I throw the cylinder and shape the handle.

Tuesday - I attach the handle, finish any stamping, and take off any rough edges.

Wendesday - the mug dries on the shelf for a few days, which ends up being over the weekend.

Monday - the mug is bisque fired, and the kiln needs to cool.

Wednesday - I glaze the mug and let it dry overnight.

Thursday - The mug goes back into the kiln and is glaze fired. The kiln cools for 2 days.

Monday - I remove the mug from the kiln, and sand the bottom, and its done.

What actually happens is, pottery goes through the studio in bunches.

This year I made bowls in the first week of January. Next I moved onto mugs, platters, pie plates and the like.

Eventually, at the beginning of February I started bisque firing, while I made vases, lanterns and a few more things.

Around the third week in February I started to glaze.

Glaze firings started at the end of February, and have been going ever since.

 

The Pottery Process

A quick look from start to finish.