A good handle brings a mug together. It should suit the shape of the cup, feel comfortable to hold, and have strong, carefully finished joins.
There are many ways to make a pottery handle. This beginner-friendly guide starts with a rolled clay handle, then explains how to shape, attach, and dry it. Once you feel comfortable with the basics, you can experiment with pulled handles and flat slab handles, too.
What you’ll need
A trimmed mug body at the soft leather-hard stage
A small piece of the same clay used for the mug
A clay board, needle tool or scoring tool, and a small knife
A brush, a little water, and joining slip made from the same clay
A barely damp sponge and plastic for covering
Timing matters: The mug should hold its shape while still accepting a gentle fingernail mark. Before attaching, let the handle firm up until its moisture level is similar to the mug’s. Avoid joining a very wet handle to a much drier cup.
1. Roll a short, even coil
Start with a small piece of smooth, workable clay. Roll it back and forth on your board, moving your hands along its length so it stays fairly even. Use gentle pressure rather than stretching it quickly.
Make the coil a little longer than you expect to need. Keep enough thickness for strength, and gently flatten the inside surface if you prefer a broader finger rest. Smooth any small surface cracks while the clay is still workable.
Roll evenlyCurve without stretching
Illustration 1: Roll an even coil, then bend it into an open curve.
2. Shape the handle and check the fit
Curve the coil into a soft C shape. Hold it beside the mug without pressing it on. Check the overall proportion, where the ends will meet the wall, and the space for your fingers.
Remember that clay shrinks during drying and firing. Allow for the shrinkage of your particular clay body instead of making the opening a tight fit. Trim the ends so they sit flush against the curved mug wall, and let the handle firm up until it holds its curve without slumping.
Soft leather-hard mugHandle holds its shapeLeave room for fingers and shrinkage
Illustration 2: Check the handle’s size and clearance before joining it to the cup.
3. Score and slip both joining surfaces
Lightly mark the two attachment spots on the mug. Scratch a crosshatch pattern into those spots and into both ends of the handle. Keep the scoring within the joining areas, and avoid cutting through the mug wall.
Brush a small amount of slip onto the scored surfaces. You want a workable joining layer, not a puddle that makes the clay slippery and soft.
Score the mugScore both handle endsAdd a little slip
Illustration 3: Score both surfaces and brush on a little same-clay slip. Joining areas are enlarged for clarity.
4. Attach and compress the joins
Support the mug wall from inside with your fingers. Press the top end of the handle into its prepared spot, then bring the lower end into place without pulling the curve under tension.
Use gentle, steady pressure to seat each end. Carefully compress and blend the edges of the joins with a fingertip or small tool. If a seam needs extra clay, add a tiny amount of matching clay and blend it thoroughly.
Clean away excess slip with a barely damp sponge. Avoid repeatedly wetting or rubbing the handle; too much work can soften the shape and weaken the areas you have just joined.
5. Check the shape, then dry slowly
Set the mug upright and look at it from the front, side, and above. Is the handle straight? Do both joins look well seated? Is the opening comfortable? Make small adjustments while the clay is still flexible, supporting the mug by its body rather than lifting it by the fresh handle.
Cover the mug loosely with plastic so the handle and body dry gradually together. Keep it away from direct sun, heaters, and drafts. Check it periodically, and loosen the covering as the piece becomes evenly drier. Let it become completely bone dry before firing according to your clay and studio’s schedule.
Loose plastic coverCompressboth joinsDry gradually and evenly
Illustration 4: Finish both joins, then cover loosely to slow drying. The dotted outline represents plastic.
Other handle styles to try
Pulled handles: Hold a short, thick piece of clay at one end. With a wet hand, use gentle downward strokes to draw the free end into a tapered strap. Keep the pressure even, curve the strap, and let it firm up before fitting and attaching it.
Slab handles: Cut a strip from an even slab, smooth its edges, and bend it into a curve. A broad, flat handle can give a mug a simple, modern feel. Use the same careful fitting, scoring, slipping, and drying process.
Common problems and what to change
Cracks at the joins: Check for moisture differences, incomplete contact, or drying that is too fast.
A sagging handle: Let it firm up more before attaching, or reduce unnecessary length and weight.
An uncomfortable grip: Round sharp edges and adjust the opening on your next piece, accounting for firing shrinkage.
A handle that feels too heavy: Try a shorter curve or a gently tapered profile while keeping the joins substantial.
A handle does not have to be perfectly symmetrical to feel right. The goal is a thoughtful balance of shape, strength, and comfort—something you enjoy reaching for with your morning coffee.