Etsy Feature – Spooky Round Mug Template – Halloween Pottery Project

Halloween pottery projects don’t have to be complicated — sometimes all it takes is the right template to unlock your creativity. This Spooky Round Mug Template is a digital download that allows ceramic and pottery lovers to make their very own Halloween-themed mugs at home or in the studio.

Printable templates are a game-changer for both beginner and experienced potters. Instead of spending hours sketching and adjusting freehand, you can simply print, cut, and trace onto your slab of clay. The result? Clean, professional shapes that can be customized with your own spooky details like bats, ghosts, pumpkins, or skull motifs.

For seasonal projects like these mugs, templates ensure uniformity, which is especially useful if you’re planning to create a full set or sell them at craft markets.

Features of the Halloween Mug Template

Instant Digital Download – Print at home and get started right away.
Rounded Mug Form – Designed for comfortable holding and classic cozy vibes.
Customizable Surface – Perfect for carving, stamping, or adding clay appliqués like spooky faces or eerie textures.
Reusable – Simply print as many times as you’d like for seasonal or year-round creations.

Ideas for Using Your Spooky Mug Template

Haunted Hot Cocoa Mugs – Create matching mugs for Halloween movie nights.
Trick-or-Treat Candy Cups – Use them as small treat holders on your table.
Giftable Pottery – Handmade mugs with creepy-cute details make thoughtful gifts.
Studio Projects – Great for pottery classes, workshops, or creative family crafting sessions.

Pro Tip for Potters

If you’re working with clay slabs, make sure to let them firm up slightly before cutting with the template. This helps prevent warping and ensures cleaner edges. Once assembled, attach handles securely and decorate with underglazes or carve out spooky details before firing.

The Spooky Round Mug Template is a fun and functional way to bring a touch of Halloween spirit into your pottery. Whether you want to make a single mug for your morning brew or a whole haunted set, this printable makes it simple to create professional-looking pieces with a festive twist.

Check out the Spooky Mug Template on Etsy here

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If you’ve ever walked through a Greek market, you’ll know the charm of sardines lined up fresh on ice. This project brings that same coastal energy into your home, but with clay instead of fishy fingers! These glossy ceramic sardines are simple to make, fun to decorate, and can be strung up as ornaments, kitchen wall décor, or even Mediterranean-style gifts.

Whether you use earthy pottery clay or an easy air-dry alternative, these sardines look stunning with their hand-painted red and blue designs. Think seaside tavernas, olives, and a glass of wine while you create—a craft that feels like a holiday.

Why Make Clay Sardines?

They’re a beginner-friendly pottery project.

You can decorate them with bold, folk-art patterns in classic coastal colors.

Add a little hole and string, and you’ve got instant hanging ornaments.

They make wonderful kitchen décor or handmade gifts.

Materials You’ll Need

White pottery clay (stoneware or earthenware works best)

Rolling pin

Sardine printable template (available from Craft Gossip)

Craft knife or needle tool

Wooden modeling tools

Small bowl of water

Underglazes or ceramic paints in cobalt blue and terracotta red

Fine paintbrushes

Clear glaze

Twine or rustic string

Kiln (or air-dry clay if you don’t have kiln access)

Step-by-Step Tutorial

Step 1 – Roll Out the Clay

Roll out your clay into an even slab about 6–8mm thick. Use guides to keep the thickness consistent.

Step 2 – Cut the Sardine Shapes

Place your sardine template on the clay and trace around it with a needle tool. Cut out as many as you’d like—bundles of 5–6 look fantastic.

Step 3 – Smooth and Add Details

Gently smooth the edges with a damp sponge. Use a tool to press a tiny hole in the tail end—this will allow you to thread string later. Add light details like fins or eyes if you’d like, but keep it simple.

Step 4 – Dry and Bisque Fire

Let your sardines dry slowly under a cloth for a day or two, then fully dry before bisque firing in the kiln. (If using air-dry clay, skip the kiln and let them cure naturally.)

Step 5 – Paint in Red and Blue Designs

Once fired, bring them to life with underglazes or ceramic paints. Use bold, simple folk-art patterns such as:

Wavy lines for the sea

Stripes for a nautical feel

Leafy spines down the middle

Dots or chevrons for variation

Keep each one different so they look like a joyful, mismatched family of fish.

Step 6 – Apply Glaze and Final Firing

Coat the sardines with a layer of clear glaze to give them a beautiful glossy finish. Fire again according to your glaze instructions.

Step 7 – String and Display

Thread rustic twine through the tail hole and tie into loops. Hang them in bundles on the wall, string them along a shelf, or gift them to a friend who loves coastal charm.

Ideas for Using Your Clay Sardines

Kitchen Wall Hanging: Group 5–6 sardines together for a bold focal point.

Christmas Ornaments: Folk-art sardines make quirky, coastal tree decorations.

Gift Tags: Tie them onto a wrapped present for a handmade extra.

Table Styling: Scatter them across a breadboard or tray for a Greek-inspired tablescape.

Don’t stress about making them “perfect.” The beauty is in their handmade irregularities—slightly uneven shapes, brushstrokes that wander, and rustic twine ties. That’s what makes them feel authentic and special.