Pulling Handles for Mugs

Ceramics Club members are creating mugs as their last project of the year. Yesterday I taught them a method for pulling mug handles that I learned in the Wheel Throwing class I have been taking at Baltimore Clayworks for the past three semesters. This is a common technique used by potters when creating handles for mugs, pitchers, etc...

Students start with a hunk of clay patted into the shape of a carrot. Holding the thick end with one hand, students wet their other hand and use the sides of their thumb and index finger to gently pull the handle downward (like milking a cow!). This motion is repeated many times until the handle has stretched about 4-5":

The handle is then left to 'set up' as pictured below. When it's time to attach it to the mug, students cut the handle on an angle at the thick end and score it to their mug!

A student shows off her mug in progress, before attaching her handle: