Hand-crafting unique and artistic pottery is a rewarding, enjoyable process that can take days, and sometimes weeks to complete...from coming up with a design idea to completing the finishing touches.

Selecting the right clay is critical as this greatly impacts the pottery's appearance and functionality. The clay is sourced locally, and each piece is built, stamped, and/or carved by hand from hand-rolled clay slabs.

Once constructed, each piece is dried for 1-2 days until it is leather hard and is then further smoothed and shaped in preparation for initial firing. It typically takes several more days for the clay to dry completely before it can be fired. At this stage, it is highly fragile and must be handled carefully. Loading the kiln involves fitting all the pieces on the shelves as efficiently as possible, and then firing at high temperature for approximately 16 hours. Once cool, the kiln is unloaded and the pieces are ready for glazing.

Several coats of glaze (and underglaze, if used) are brushed on by hand, and then the pieces are then carefully loaded into the kiln and fired once again for approximately 8 hours.

For certain pieces, I may complete several additional steps, such as using a buffing compound to add metallic highlights and/or adding a copper or leather hanger, if appropriate.

Handcrafting pottery is not a quick or easy process (the best things in life rarely are) but seeing the end results definitely makes it worthwhile. My hope is that my customers can tell just how much care, thought and effort went into each piece!

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