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About the Process
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You may have noticed the 2-3 week wait period on most items in my catalog. This is not because I am being lazy or ignoring you! Really, that is how long it takes to make with me working at my fastest pace, while still keeping an eye on quality. So why does it take so long to make? Well, consider that I am essentially starting with mud and turning it into something with the hardness and durability of stone.
Shaping:
The first step is to mold the clay into the basic form I need. Clay can be initially shaped on the potters’ wheel, modeled by hand, or rolled in a slab. The pieces then need to stiffen into a leather hard state. After the clay has set to leather hard the finishing touches are added. This may be many different techniques like carving, sculptural elements, adding handles or spouts, trimming, etc. Some pieces are made from several pieces attached together (as in a teapot). Once the pieces have their final shape, the pots (now called greenware) are set aside until they are bone-dry. When all of the moisure is gone from the pots they are ready for their first firing.
Bisque Firing:
The first firing, or bisque firing, is not as hot as the final firing (glaze firing). My bisque firing goes up to about 1800°F. This firing is done primarily to set and harden the pieces so they can be easily glazed and worked more later. It will also burn out some of the impurities in the clay. The clay body I use is high in iron content, which gives every piece a pink coloring after the bisque firing.
Glazing:
Now that I have a bunch of pink pots, they are ready for waxing and glazing. Bisque hardened pieces are very absorbent and will really soak up the glaze and wax. I coat the bottom of each piece in liquid wax. This is a crucial step. The wax will help keep the glaze off of the bottom of pots and prevent them sticking to the kiln shelves. The pots are then glazed. Glaze is applied is many ways. I use a combination of dipping and pouring and the occasional hand brushing or splatter. Once I have enough glazed pieces, I am ready for the final firing. In this firing, the glaze transforms and melts into colored glass like material, as glaze is made up primarily of glass formers (silica/sand). When the kiln reaches the right temperature, it is shut down and the pieces all gradually cool. Now is the time for patience, as the kiln may take as much as a day to cool down competely! This last glaze firing will reward all of my hard work and patience with (hopefully) a kiln filled with beautiful finished pottery.
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New Products For May
 | $12.00 |
Sponge Holder Drying Rack Cobalt Blue and Green This functional piece will give you a pretty place to store your sponge so it will dry out quickly and be fresh for the next use. This fits a standard kitchen sponge (not included). These are...
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