The Potter's Touch...10 Ways to Infuse Your Style on Every Custom Stoneware Mug!

Ah, the custom stoneware coffee mug. It's often the first piece of pottery we coffeeholics reach for in the morning. But in a world overflowing with mass-produced ceramics, how do you make your stoneware mug designs truly stand out? How do you infuse them with your unique style, making your mugs instantly recognizable as a creation from your hands?

My friend... it's all in the details. Every curve, every surface, every mark you make is an opportunity to express your own personal style. Let's dive into ten ways you can customize a stoneware coffee mug and make it your style...so that when someone sees it sitting on the kitchen counter, they KNOW it is yours!

*Click here to see a gallery of our custom glaze options and how we layer them to get different custom colors.

First...Ergonomics & Tactile Features

A great mug isn't just about how it looks; it's about how it feels in the hand. Small ergonomic details can elevate the user experience and showcase your personal design. The great thing is that these are easy to learn and add value to your mugs!!

Our thumbrests are added in the leather hard stage with a brush of water to help them stick.

The Thumbrest: A subtle, ergonomic addition to the handle, a well-placed thumbrest not only provides comfort but also speaks volumes about your attention to the user experience. Every mug I make has a thumbrest...and people all the time tell me it is their favorite part of my mugs! FYI, my wife makes all of our thumbrests! It is one of her special additions to the creation process.

Handle Ornaments: Why stop at just a functional handle? Integrate small, sculpted elements into the handle's design – a subtle swirl, a textured strip, or even a tiny abstract shape that becomes your trademark. The one picture above was a small ball of clay pressed with a pottery stamp to make the swirl. Handle ornaments will dress up any mug!

Unique Surface Textures: Beyond a smooth finish, consider carving, incising, stamping, or even rouletting patterns into the clay body when it's still leather-hard. These tactile textures invite touch and add immediate visual interest that's unique to your tools and hand.

Second...Your Signature Mark

Every artist needs a signature, and potters have a wealth of options to brand their work.

A Custom Logo: Take your branding to the next level! Design a unique logo for your pottery and either stamp it into the clay or apply it as medallion. It’s a professional touch that reinforces your brand identity and allows for custom mug options.

A "Chop" or Maker's Mark: The classic potter's signature, a chop is a small, often abstract or symbolic stamp pressed into the clay. It’s your artistic fingerprint, often rich with personal meaning. Mine is a cross...it's on every piece of pottery that I make! On our mugs it is right below the handle.

Signature or Stamp: A distinct way of signing your name or initials on the bottom of your mug can be a powerful part of your signature style. Consider the font, size, and placement as part of your overall aesthetic. Or 3d print a stamp and put your brand name on the bottom. This is a great way for people to KNOW that this is your piece of handiwork!

Don't Forget Form and Function

The foundational elements of the mug itself offer endless possibilities for personalization. Don't forget that a mug becomes yours when you find the design that fits your style!!

waxed foot that becomes raw clay after firing

An Unglazed Foot: Leaving the footring of your mug unglazed celebrates the raw beauty of the clay body. It offers a wonderful tactile contrast to the glazed surface and provides a grounding, earthy element. Make sure to "sand your bottoms!!"

Personalized Body Proportions: While a mug is a mug, subtle differences in its overall form – a more squat and generous belly, a tall and elegant taper, a distinct flare at the base – can become incredibly characteristic of your work.

a batch of custom stoneware mugs in the kiln with the signature swirl on the inside bottom of the mugs

Interior Glaze Details: Don't forget the inside! A contrasting glaze on the interior, a surprise pattern revealed at the bottom of the mug as you drink, or a subtle texture can add a delightful, intimate touch. Adding a simple swirl pattern is very easy to do and adds texture for the glazes on the inside of your mug.

Add Decorative Depth

The surface of your mug is a canvas, and how you apply and interact with glazes can be your ultimate signature.

a trio of custom stoneware mugs with layered glazes to achieve this tri-tone affect

Glaze Layering: This is where the magic truly happens! Layering different glaze chemistries can create stunning visual effects, encouraging movement, breaking, and pooling that are uniquely yours with every firing. The way your chosen glazes interact can be your ultimate signature. By the way, this is one of the ten reasons why you should be mixing and developing your own signature glazes.(read about it here)

Conclusion

Your stoneware coffee mug isn't just a cup; it's a canvas! Make it your canvas!! By thoughtfully incorporating these elements, you're not just making a cup – you're crafting a piece of art that carries your story, one sip at a time. So, go on, get creative, and find your personal style!

DJH

Chosen Vessel Pottery