These are the steps for making a handmade mug out of clay. That means you won't need a pottery wheel!
Step 1: Get about a softball size lump of clay and wedge it. This will make the moisture equal throughout the clay as well as rid the clay of any air pockets.
Step 2: Flatten the clay to about 1/2" to 3/4". This is done by slamming the clay horizontally on the table at an angle, so don't throw it straight down on the table. Make it come slightly toward you.
Step 3: Place the clay on a canvas cloth. If you have access to a slabroller, a press for clay, use that to flatten the clay out. If you don't have access to one, just use a rolling pin.
Step 4: After you take it out of the slabroller, you'll need to flatten it out a little bit more with a rolling pin. The side that was hit by the slabroller first will be more compact than the rest of the clay, so you want to get it equal.
Step 5: Now you need to cut out the desired size of your mug. In order to do this, it is best to make a template out of a thicker paper (e.g., poster board). Find a piece of pvc pipe that is a good size for your mug and wrap the poster board around that, leaving about 1/2" of space from the top. Allow it to overlap about 3/4".
Cutting out the design is done best by placing the template on the clay and cutting it out with a needle knife. Remove the excess clay and place it in a plastic bag or with your other clay.
Step 6: Remove the template and smooth the top edge of the clay by folding the cloth that it is on over top of it, pulling gently. You want this smooth or else you will cut your lip of the rim of the mug.
Step 7: Now it's time to design the mug. You can do this with stamps, pencils, or other designing tools. Have fun with it!
Step 8: Next, get half a sheet of newspaper and wrap it around your pvc pipe. Tuck in the top and bottom edges.
Step 9: Flip the clay over by placing another canvas cloth on top and flipping the clay onto the new piece of canvas. After that's done, wet one edge of the clay. This edge will be the edge that overlaps the opposite end of the clay.
Step 10: Place the pvc pipe on top of the clay, lining up the bottom of the clay to one of the edges of the pvc pipe. Gently roll the clay around the pvc pipe. When it overlaps itself, place your hand inside the pvc pipe and and gently press down and roll the overlapped portion of the clay.
Now it's time to make the bottom of the mug.
Step 1: Repeat steps 1-4 above.
Step 2: Place the pvc with the clay around it on top of the new slab of clay.
Step 3: With a needle knife, cut around the pvc pipe, leaving about 1/8" of clay around the base.
Step 4: Gently press down on the top of the pvc pipe to get it to stick to the bottom. Place your hand inside the pvc pipe and roll the mug at a 45 degree angle, then roll it on its side.
The mug is now pretty much made, except for the handle.
Step 1: Wedge the clay
Step 2: Shape it into a teardrop using mostly the palm of your hand. This takes some time to learn, so don't get upset if you don't get it the first time.
Step 3: Similar to the flattening of the other clay, flatten one side of the handle by holding both ends and throwing it down on the table toward you.
Step 4: Remove the excess clay from the top and bottom of the handle with a needle knife. The top piece should be cut at an angle moving toward the top of the handle. This gives it a larger area to mount against the mug.
Step 5: Make a design on the handle if you want.
Step 6: Place some water on the edges that you cut on the handle. Also place water on the spots where the handle will attach to the mug. This can be done with a paintbrush or your finger. Now just attach the handle, making sure it is secure to the mug.
Step 7: Let it set up for 20-30 minutes and then remove the pvc pipe from the center of the mug. It should just slide right out.
Once you do that, let the mug dry and then fire it. You'll have a beautiful handmade mug!
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