This series of photo's shows how a simple mug is thrown and handled. The clay used is our fine white stoneware. Clay from the bag (or re-cycled) is wedged up to ensure it is completely mixed and to remove any air bubbles. About 12 oz (350 g) of clay is weighed out and this will make a mug that will hold 8 - 9 fluid ounces of  tea or coffee.

The clay is now 'centered' such that it is spinning centrally on the wheel head. Unless this is done exactly the final pot will be lop-sided.

The clay is 'opened out' with the fingers and the base and rudimentary walls defined. The base is compressed to prevent cracking and the rim compressed to make the final mug stronger.

The walls of the pot are 'pulled up' in one fluid movement that starts at the base of the pot and rises up the walls applying gentle pressure to compress and elongate the clay walls.

A second 'pull' brings the walls up to close on their full height and thins them down. The basic size of the mug is now formed and the following steps define the shape, rim and foot details.

The rim is widened so that it is the same diameter as the base. The base is trimmed with a turning tool and a small beaded rim defined with a cut out section made from an old credit card. The outside wall is defined with a throwing rib to remove all signs of the throwing spiral as these would interfere with any future decoration. The pot is now wired off the bat and placed to one side to harden ready for handling.