Cups on Cups — The Ceramic Cup Making Process

In this blog post, I share my full ceramic cup making process — from shaping on the wheel to trimming, glazing and firing.

For me, cups have always been one of the most common things to make. You can't really invent a new type of cup. Of course, I'm influenced and inspired by things I see both on social media and in real life, so the road to finding "my" cup has been a long one.

Functionality is probably the most important thing when it comes to tableware, and that includes how it feels in the hand. A cup that is too heavy I would argue that many people will not pick up as their favorite cup again and again. A cup that is not good at drinking from I would also not claim to be picked up again and again. So when I start the process of making a new cup, the considerations already start when I weigh the clay and I have already started thinking about which glazes to use and that after a long time of glaze testing.

Then the question is, what will the cup be used for - what is its purpose? I am aware that there are some universal measurements and volumes that need to be accommodated, but I must admit that this is not something I have researched closely. Nevertheless, it is of course an essential question and something I think about in the process. Another big question is whether the cup should have a handle or not. Many people prefer it as a ceramic cup gets hot, but for a ceramicist it becomes an extra element that needs to be thought through and adapted to the cup. Of course, this is a fun challenge.

After a few rounds of testing and I have found the right amount of clay in relation to the dimensions of the cup that I have set, the repetition work begins. The best thing is to make a larger batch of cups at once. After about 10 cups I am in a good rhythm. The goal is to distribute all the clay I have weighed out, both so that I hit the height and diameter at the top and bottom, with even and not too thin walls.

After the cups are turned, it doesn't take long - usually a day - before the cups are ready to be trimmed. This is, believe it or not, often a longer process than the turning itself. Here the foot, if there is one, is also made. I trim the entire cup, which means I also take my time to get the edge just right. It shouldn't be thick, but it shouldn't be so thin that it gets a dent after the first use.

The glaze has usually already been tested on a few individual cups and preferably several different glazes as well, to find the right one. Since I make my own glazes, there are several things I have to think about. In terms of functionality, the glaze and the clay should first and foremost be a match. Secondly, you would prefer to avoid using a glaze that gives pinholes. Of course, it should be a glaze that feels good to touch and drink from. These are just some of the considerations and thoughts I have when choosing a glaze. After the first rough firing, the cups can be glazed, here I start by glazing the inside one day and the outside another day. This is because the cups are probably not thick enough in the walls for the glazes I use to be absorbed.

The cups are then fired one last time on cone 9 and can then be put up for sale.