Ceramic Design & China Ceramic and Porcelain

How to Sell Unique Coffee Mugs

Ceramic Design — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 09:42:48 +0000

The cultivation of the coffee bean as a drink was first developed by people living in the East African mountains of Ethiopia, according to National Geographic reports. The cultural and social folkways that have arisen around drinking this hardy brew makes selling associated specialty items such as coffee mugs a feasible business enterprise in most marketplaces. While a visit to most major retailers’ kitchenware departments will reveal the specialty mug market as competitive, design uniqueness can become your competitive advantage.

1

Make or buy unique mugs. If you do not know how to make mugs, enroll in a pottery class to learn how to design and make custom mugs. Draft out a mug design and have the specifications developed by an artisan as a commission or from a manufacturer for large orders. Alternatively, develop an inventory of unique mugs from the works of artisans who make mugs and other suppliers with a wide selection of mug designs.
2

Specialty mugs are especially popular gift items during the winter holiday season.

Sell at kiosks or a store front. Determine the feasibility for a specialty mug shop in your community. Remember that a retail store will require a large quantity of specialty cups inventory. While a kiosk has a much lower inventory demand, it also has a corresponding lower income potential than a retail shop.

3

Sell to retailers. Distribute coffee mugs to retail shops by offering wholesale prices for specialty mug inventory. The reduction in unit price for distributor-wholesalers is typically recovered by the gain in the quantity of an order.
4

Valentine’s Day offers an opportunity to sell associated specialty mugs.

Sell on-line. Develop the new business enterprise and launch a website to sell directly to the public on-line. Set up on-line shopping carts for each retail item for credit and debit card purchases. Unique coffee mugs can also be sold at on-line auctions or through “buy it now” features of on-line retailers like eBay.com.

Oversized Coffee Cups

Ceramic Design — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 08:40:43 +0000

Coffee lovers cannot get enough of their favorite beverage, so having an oversized coffee cup is particularly useful. An oversized mug allows the coffee drinker to have ample servings of coffee at one time, without having to worry about constantly refilling the mug. Making an oversized mug is relatively easy and you can do many things with the finished product, including giving it to other coffee lovers as a gift.

1

Lay old newspapers down to protect your work area. If you’re working on a table with texture, the newspapers will keep the clay from absorbing the design on the table.
2

Take a fist-sized piece of clay and roll it into a ball. Put the ball on the table and stick your thumbs in the center. Carefully pinch the clay, extending it out to the desired width of your mug. Keep in mind that for an oversized coffee cup, the base should be wide. Do not worry if the sides start to cave in or are too thin; you can fix any problems in the next steps.

3

Take another ball of clay and use both hands to roll out a long coil. Slowly and evenly distribute pressure along the coil to ensure that it remains the same size. Avoid rolling the coil too thin; it should be no thinner than a quarter of an inch.
4

Attach the coil to the bottom piece of clay by first scoring the bottom of the coil. Scoring is done by creating a checked pattern into the clay with a needle. Wet the scored area using a paintbrush dipped in water. After you have scored it, attach the coil onto the bottom slab and smooth the inside and outside edges together. Continue stacking the coils one on top of another until you have reached the desired height for your oversized coffee cup.
5

Level the top of the coffee cup by carefully turning the cup upside down and tapping it several times.
6

Roll out two coils and braid the coils together into the shape of a handle. Carefully smooth the edges. To attach the handle, score the sides of the handle that will be directly attached to the side of the mug. Apply water to the scored area to ease the attachment process. Carefully attach it to the mug and hold it in place for several seconds. When you set the mug down, you may need to place a ball of newspaper or clay under the bottom of the handle in order to keep it in place.
7

Drape a plastic sheet loosely over your mug so that it dries uniformly. The drying process ultimately depends on the thickness and water saturation of your clay. You will know when your cup is completely dry because it will appear very light in color. At this stage it is the most fragile, so be careful when handling it.
8

Bisque fire the mug. A bisque firing is the preliminary firing for pottery. In this firing, all remaining water moisture is removed and the clay transforms to a hardened state, which ultimately allows you to use your pottery. Place the cup in the kiln and set the kiln to the appropriate temperature. The temperature of the bisque firing depends on the type of clay you have used. For example, stoneware clay is bisqued at a level cone 05, meaning the internal temperature of the kiln is 1,900 degrees Fahrenheit. After it is bisqued, apply wax resist to the bottom of the cup. This will prevent the glaze from building up on the bottom of the cup and the cup sticking to the kiln shelf during the glaze firing. Let the wax resist dry completely.
9

Glaze the cup by dipping it in a bucket of glaze. Glaze comes in many different colors and finishes, so choose one that you will enjoy on your oversized coffee cup. Allow the glaze to dry completely and then refire the cup in the kiln. The cup must be refired so that the glaze can melt and completely cover your cup, making it durable and less porous. Glaze firings are typically set around 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, but you will want to check with your studio to determine if that temperature is correct for your type of clay and glaze.

archive from: How to Make Oversized Coffee Cups http://www.ehow.com/how_8284705_make-oversized-coffee-cups.html

Gift Mugs

Ceramic Design — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 07:21:51 +0000

Custom mugs are a great gift to give for any occasion. Paint is an inexpensive way to personalize a plain, ceramic coffee mug that can be picked up at any discount store. Instead of going to an expensive paint-a-pot store, follow these instructions to make a great mug at home. Mugs also make an excellent rainy day project for kids.

1

Select your paints. Make sure the product is nontoxic and microwave/dishwasher safe. Enamel paint and ceramic paints are generally your best bet. Porcelain paint pens are water-based and allow you to draw right on the mug with little mess and cleanup.
2

Clean the outside of your mug with a cotton ball saturated in rubbing alcohol and allow to dry.

3

Sketch out your desired design on paper before you start painting.
4

Hold your stencil on the mug and gently dab paint inside lines. Allow to dry and apply a second coat. Continue this process until desired look is achieved. Sponges, rubber or foam stamps can also be used to create patterns on your mug. A coat of nontoxic, clear sealer will make your design shine.
5

Allow paint to dry overnight. Place the mug in a room temperature oven and turn it on to the degree indicated on the paint package, as many ceramic materials cannot withstand sudden changes in temperature, according to Dickblick.com.
6

Fill the mug with candy or individual cocoa or coffee packets. Cut a 10-inch circle out of wrapping paper, tulle or fabric. Place the mug in the center and tie up with a ribbon to give as a gift.

Customized Ceramic Mugs

Ceramic Design — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 05:10:22 +0000

Ceramic coffee and cocoa mugs are a staple of any cupboard. Practical and fun to give as gifts, mugs can be customized in your own kitchen with materials that are easy to obtain. This project is simple enough that kids can help as well, allowing you to turn a mug customization idea into a project for the whole family. Personalize ceramic mugs for your own collection or create designs to give to others for any occasion.

1

Sketch your design on a piece of paper so that you have an idea of what you want to create on the mug. Paint the design on regular paper and hold it up to the mug to get the sizing right; this way, when you paint on the mug, it will not be the first time you attempted to create the design.
2

Spread newspaper down on the surface where you will be working.

3

Clean the ceramic mug with soap and water. Plain mugs can be purchased at regular kitchenware stores, craft stores or from ceramic and pottery suppliers.
4

Use a natural bristle paintbrush to recreate your design on the mug with enamel paint. If you find it difficult to paint an intricate design on the curved surface while the mug is standing up, turn it on its side and brace it by placing it between two books or other heavy objects so it does not roll. Allow the design to dry on one side before turning the mug over.
5

Paint with brush strokes made in the same direction for the cleanest look. To paint small or elaborate details, use a fine-tipped paintbrush. To paint solid colors or the background of the mug, use a larger brush. Fewer strokes will create a smoother finish. Wipe any excess paint off of the brush each time you dip it in the paint to avoid lumps.
6

Apply several layers of paint to create deep colors.
7

Allow the paint to dry in-between coats for the length of time recommended by the paint’s manufacturer.
8

Follow the instructions on the bottles of paint to bake the paint onto the mug with the oven. Most paints will require only a short time baking at a low temperature.

Paint Ceramic Mugs

Ceramic Design — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 05:02:18 +0000

While you can usually find painted ceramic mugs in most boutique gift shops, creating your own allows you to customize the mug with your own designs. You can add names, favorite sports teams’ emblems and even inside jokes. With undecorated mugs selling for mere dollars at discount shops, painted ceramic mugs also make a perfect and inexpensive party favor. The only limit when decorating ceramic mugs is your own creativity and the dimensions of the mug.

1

Clean the mug’s surface with rubbing alcohol and your lint-free towel. Most paints will encourage you to start with a clean surface and rubbing alcohol will remove any grease or other unwanted substances from the mug without leaving a soapy film behind.
2

Choose a design you know will fit comfortably on your mug. As well as size, consider color harmony. For instance, hot pink will probably not complement a hunter green mug.

3

Paint your design onto the mug’s surface using your craft paintbrush. Allow layers to dry before applying more colors. Clean your brush between colors to ensure you don’t accidentally mix shades and blend.
4

Place your finished mug in a cool oven and set the oven to 300 degrees. Do not warm the oven before placing your mug inside. Doing so can cause the glass to heat up too quickly, which can cause the mug to crack or shatter.
5

Allow the mug to bake for 30 minutes.
6

Turn the oven off after the mug has baked for 30 minutes. Allow the mug to cool down with the oven, as taking it out can cause it to cool too quickly.
7

Remove the mug from the oven and enjoy.

How to Make Basic Clay Pots

Ceramic Design — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 12:20:26 +0000

If you are a beginner in the art of pottery, you can hone your skill by starting with an easy project such as making a basic coil clay pot. The coil pot, made by coiling long ropes of clay in a spiral, is the earliest kind of pottery, according to the Free Library website. This type of pottery is rich in culture and history, dating as far back as 700 B.C. when the Mimbres tribe from New Mexico first made coil pots for cooking and religious purposes. The technique for making this basic coil pot is easy, and the resulting product is beautiful.

1.Place a chunk of clay on the table or your work surface. With a putty knife, cut a piece of clay from the chunk. Out of this piece you will make the base or the bottom section of a basic clay coil pot. Flatten the clay into your desired shape for your clay pot. If you want a round clay pot, make a circular bottom with the clay. If you want the clay pot to be oval, then make an oval-shaped base.
2.Cut another piece of clay from the chunk. Roll it out back and forth until it forms into a long strip. This strip will look like a clay “worm.” Coil the strip around the edge of the base. Use your fingers to smooth up some clay to attach the coil to the base.

3.Create another clay “worm” about the same size and shape as your first one. Stack the clay strip on top of the first one and coil it around the edge of the pot. Use your fingers to press the clay together. Dip your hands in water to help smooth the clay out.
4.Continue rolling out strips of clay and placing a strip on top of another coiled strip until the clay pot reaches the height that you want. Smooth out the sides and edges of the clay pot with your fingers. This will allow the coils to grip together.
5.Place your clay pot in a safe place and give it time to dry. It may be a basic clay pot, but if you allow the clay enough time to harden, it can result in a durable, functional piece of art. Some potters fire up a clay kiln to give the clay pot a strong finish. If you do not have a clay kiln, the clay pot you just made will be fine as long as you give it time to dry slowly and completely.

How to Make a Clay Coil Pot

Ceramic Design — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 12:09:10 +0000

Pottery is an amazingly creative and unique way to express yourself. Making a clay coil pot is easier than you think! This article shows you how to make a clay coil a step at a time.

1.First find a smooth, flat surface that you can use to make pottery on.
2.Take a piece of clay or modeling clay and flatten into a circle. You can use a saucer, small plate, cup bottom, or jar lid and make a flat circle of clay — or square! This is the base of your pot.
3.Take pieces of clay and roll it between both your hands making a coil. Then place the coil on the flat surface and continue rolling. Make the coil as smooth as possible.
4.After you make a several coils take one coil and place it onto the flat base. Attach the coil to the base by pressing the coil into the base. Remember to attach everything from the inside of the pot — the part of the pot that isn’t facing you.
5.After you have the first coil attach coils one at a time making sure to attach them from the inside of the pot. Try to smooth out the inside of the pot — if the clay becomes dry use a little water on your hands and smooth the clay out.
6.Once you have attached as many coils as you want and have smoothed out the inside of the pot you can then decorate the front of the pot. Try using a nail and softly carving designs into the clay. You can also take pieces of clay, make shapes (like hearts!) and attach it to the front of the pot.
7.You can then either leave your pot in a warm oven to bake the pot or leave it in the sun — both will dry the clay out and make the clay harden.
8.That’s it! Now you can consider painting the pot or glazing the pot. Put your pot on display and enjoy!

Unique Clay Pottery Design Ideas

Ceramic Design — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 11:58:34 +0000

Creating pottery is unique almost by default. Each artist’s hands are different and this subtle difference allows them to shape the clay in new and exciting ways. Clay pottery gifts are special to begin with, but they are even more special when they are handmade. You can create a variety of unique pottery projects using a few simple techniques.

Using Leaves
- You can use actual leaves to create unique accents on your clay pottery pieces. Try to find some live leaves with interesting textures in them. You can then coat these leaves with a thin coat of silver clay paste. Let this dry and coat each leaf again several more times with the paste. These can then be fired with any of your low-temperature clay pots.
  
  You can join the leaf to the pot or dish using slip which is a mixture of clay paste and water. You can also simply press a live leaf into your clay pottery to leave behind an interesting texture. This isn’t quite as beautiful but it is much simpler.
Unique Pinch Pots
- Pinch pots are very easy to make and because of this you can take chances with them. You can create a pinch pot by simply pinching and forming a ball of clay into a small cup shape. You can create unique texture for this by rolling the outside of the pinch pot in various objects. For instance, you can fill a tray with a collection of small and smooth river stones. Simply roll the pot around the stones to create a unique texture. You can also roll the pinch pot around in the grass of your yard to create an interesting effect. It is best if you roll the pot while it is still very supple in your hands. Be sure to remove any debris that sticks to the pinch pot before firing.
Face on a Mug
- For a truly original clay pottery idea, you can sculpt a face on a mug that you have created. This will work best with a mug that has been made using the coil method. This method uses long rolled cylinders of clay that are twisted on top of each other to form pottery. The outside and inside are then smoothed.
  
  You can add the face by using two small lumps of clay. Score the back of the clay by rubbing with a fork and secure the lumps to the mug with a bit of slip. The upper lump will be the forehead, nose and upper mouth area. The lower lump will be formed into the lower jaw. You can create the nose by pinching up the clay. Pressing your fingers into the clay just above the nose can make eye sockets. Eyeballs can be made with small balls of clay pressed into the sockets. Be sure to score the back of the eye ball and add some slip before you secure it.

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