The Process

Getting the clay, be it from the earth and processed or purched form the shops. The decision means there is a future and idea for the clay and its final journey.  Endless designs and shapes, what functionality or decorative aspect to choose and create.

This is the first fire of the pottery process. Traditionaly one would fire first to cone 05 (1100°C+-) leaving the clay porous to absorb the glaze that would be applied. The clay can be handled but there is still a risk of breakage.

Throwing pottery is the process of shaping clay on the pottery wheel. Throwing usually involves a few steps from the beginning to the end of making a pot.  These are centering the clay, opening it up, pulling up the walls, and collaring in the neck of the pot.

After the creative process has finished the wait for it to dry feels like an endless wait. Once dried the clay is brittle and brakes with any rough or accidental tap.

Glaze is the glass coating on the surface of pottery items. It can give the surface a glossy, matte, smooth, textured, opaque, or clear finish. Varying glaze compositions result in different glaze outcomes after firing. Each component has its function that like magic, transforms the glaze’s appearance after firing. This is traditionally fired at cone 6.

Low-firing process that was inspired by traditional Japanese raku firing. Western-style raku usually involves removing pottery from the kiln while at bright red heat and placing it into containers with combustible materials. Once the materials ignite, the containers are closed. This produces an intense reduction atmosphere which affects the colors in glazes and clay bodies.