Iron Yellow over Iron Lustre and Ancient Copper by Kelsey Schroeder

Fall Vibe Mug by Kelsey Schroeder, featuring AMACO Iron Yellow over Iron Lustre

I’m so excited about the fall vibes on these mugs. Maybe AMACO Iron Yellow over Iron Lustre is not the fanciest glaze combo, but it’s honestly one of those pairings that just works – warm, cozy, and full of seasonal character. The overall look feels like autumn in a cup: deep, earthy tones at the base, a rich midsection with subtle overlap, and a moody, luminous top that catches the light.

This mug is made with a T6B stoneware clay body, which provides a sturdy, reliable base and adds a grounded feel to the finished piece. The top half features two coats of AMACO Iron Lustre with a single coat of AMACO Iron Yellow layered in, creating a darker, golden-brown surface with soft variation. Depending on firing and application, the top can show everything from warm amber notes to deeper, smoky tones – perfect for that “sweater weather” aesthetic.

On the bottom half, two coats of AMACO Ancient Copper bring in a classic rustic warmth, with a natural, slightly textured look that feels earthy and handmade. There’s a very slight overlap of AMACO Iron Lustre around the middle, which creates a subtle transition band and adds extra depth where the glazes meet. That gentle blending zone is where a lot of the visual interest happens, giving the mug a layered, landscape-like feel instead of a hard line.

Fired to Cone 6, the finish is glossy and durable for everyday use, while still showing the organic variations that make handmade pottery special. Each mug will have its own unique shifts in color and glaze movement, but the overall Fall Vibe look stays consistent—warm, moody, and ready for coffee, tea, or hot cider season.

• Clay body: t6b stoneware
• Top half:
  • AMACO Iron Lustre x2
  • AMACO Iron Yellow x1
• Bottom half:
  • AMACO Ancient Copper x2 with Iron Lustre overlap very slightly in the middle
• Cone 6

Credit: Kelsey Schroeder