The journey begins by mixing dry materials such as ball clay and feldspar with water to form a slurry, and dewatering the slurry on plaster drying tables. The ratio of ingredients determines the final firing temperature, working properties, and color of the clay.

After carefully wedging the clay to remove air bubbles, pots are formed on an electric wheel. Each piece starts as a simple ball of clay and rises under gentle guidance. We work intuitively, in concert with the clay's natural properties rather than against them.

Once the pieces have dried to leather-hard consistency, some return to the wheel for careful trimming. During this step, excess weight is removed and a more elegant form is revealed. During this stage, handles and spouts are added, as well as decoration with slip and carved designs.

After thorough drying, delicate potttery pieces undergo their first firing, known as bisque firing. This slow process takes about 12 hours as we gradually heat the kiln to 1800°F. This initial firing strengthens the clay while leaving it porous enough to accept glazes.

Much like with the clay, our glazes are mixed into a slurry from a variety of dry, powdered minerals. This slurry is applied to each piece by dipping, pouring, or brushing. The colors of the unfired glazes appear muted and flat at this stage, during the firing they will melt into a glass and fuse to the surface of the pots.

Glazed pottery pots are fired at high temperatures for 36 hours in our kiln, a 100 cu ft double Bourry Box design. Wood provides a sustainable fuel source and has exciting and often unexpected aesthetic effects, leaving its indelible mark on each unique piece.