When Peter Ward worked with slipware potter John Pollex at the Barbican Craft Workshops in the early 1980s, it became clear that most people had little idea just how long it takes to make even a single handmade pot. Every December, hopeful customers would ask whether they could commission a bespoke ceramic piece for Christmas – often just a few weeks before the big day.
In reality, the stages of making pottery require far more time than most people realise. Whether it’s an earthenware mug, a teapot, or a sculptural vessel, the journey from raw clay to finished piece is both technical and time-intensive.
Let’s take a closer look at what goes into making a single handmade mug – and why it pays to commission your piece well in advance.
The process begins with weighing out the clay. The exact amount depends on the form being made, but precision is important for consistency. Next, the potter throws the clay on a wheel, shaping it into a cylinder that will eventually become the body of the mug.
Once thrown, the piece is left to dry until it becomes leather hard – firm, but still workable.
At this stage, the pot is returned to the wheel, now placed upside down, often in a chuck (a supportive clay ring). The base is carefully turned using a trimming tool to refine its form and balance. This step is where the mug begins to take on its final profile.
Handles are typically made from soft clay pulled by hand and shaped directly onto the piece. John Pollex was known for his skill in pulling graceful, ergonomic handles – a process that requires speed, confidence, and practice.
With the handle attached and set, the mug is ready for decoration. In slipware pottery, a coloured liquid clay called slip is applied to the surface — often by dipping or pouring.
For decorative work, the mug might be left to rest briefly before being enhanced using a slip trailer for lines and motifs, or through sgraffito pottery techniques. In the latter, multiple layers of coloured slip are applied – in John’s case, a black layer followed by white. Once slightly drier, the surface is gently scratched using a fine tool to reveal the colours beneath.
Peter’s favourite tool for sgraffito was a repurposed dentist’s scraper – perfect for the fine, precise marks required without cutting into the clay body itself. The process demands a steady hand and great care to avoid exposing the underlying red earthenware unless intentionally desired.
Once decorated, the mug must be completely dry before it can be fired. This can take several days depending on humidity and clay thickness. The first firing – known as the biscuit firing (or bisque firing) – is typically done at around 1,000°C.
This stage is a major transformation. The clay becomes ceramic – chemically altered by heat and no longer water-soluble. Potters often wait until they have enough work to fill the kiln, as a full firing can represent weeks or even months of studio time.
After firing, the kiln must cool slowly to avoid thermal shock. Only then can the pieces be unpacked and inspected for cracks or flaws.
If the piece survives the first firing, it’s ready to be glazed. John Pollex used a transparent glaze with added iron, which gave his mugs a soft honey-yellow finish that enhanced the slip decoration beneath.
Glazing must be done carefully – no part of the glazed surface can touch the kiln shelf or another pot. Kiln loading becomes a puzzle of placement, balancing support and airflow.
The final glaze firing typically reaches around 1,220°C, depending on the clay and glaze used. At the peak, the glaze melts into a glassy coating. After soaking at temperature, the kiln is cooled gradually to avoid cracking.
The short answer? Far longer than you think.
A simple earthenware mug handmade by an experienced potter might take several days from start to finish – not including drying time or waiting for kiln space. More complex works or commission pieces can take weeks or even months, depending on the process.
That’s why we recommend anyone interested in commissioning handmade ceramics start the conversation early – ideally six months ahead of your deadline. Whether it’s a functional object or a piece of collectable pottery, giving the potter time allows them to create something truly special, without rushing any part of the process.
Understanding the stages of pottery making helps deepen appreciation for every mug, bowl, or sculpture you collect. These aren’t factory-made items – each one passes through many hands-on stages, from wet clay to finished ceramic.
At Online Ceramics, we work with makers who uphold this depth of craft. If you’re looking for studio pottery UK that reflects time, skill and artistry, you’re in the right place.
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