Ceramic Process

Want to learn a little more about the process that your piece goes through before it reaches your home and is enjoyed with hot coffee or snacks... follow along the journey!

A ball of Clay

Your mug, bowl, cup, plate, vase or other homeware piece will start as a ball of clay weighed to the perfect amount suited to your object. The clay ball is first wedged (pottery term for kneading) and then set aside ready to be pinched or slabbed. 

Each ball is individually pinched and worked to piece that is consistent with my usual shape. A handle is the attached (in the instance of a mug) and then the piece sits covered in plastic for 2-3 days (to slow down the process of drying and ultimately cracking).

 

Dry Clay Piece (Greenware Stage)

At this stage the clay has lost most of its water content so the pieces should feel dry to the touch - the clay should also be lighter in colour and weight. This is probably the most fragile stage of the process. This is the stage where most of the breaks happen. At this stage to smooth out the exterior of your piece use a damp sponge and gently wipe the area - but remember to take it slow, rushing it will ensure a lot of breaks.

Underglazing

To make my designs POP and be as bright and crisp as they possibly can be, I underglaze at the greenware stage (before Bisque). I first hand draw all my designs just in a black or lead pencil (as it burns off and doesn't leave any marks in the end result) and then underglaze them with various colours from a bunch of different brands. 

Bisque Firing & Clear Coat Glazing & Firing

Once all the pieces of greenware are painted they go into the kiln for their first bisque firing. This firing cooks the pieces at a low enough temp to be porous enough to hold the clear coat glaze that I paint or dip onto the pieces which will then turn into the glaze/glass that makes your piece functional and useable for hot beverages. I use high fire Stoneware clay and glaze that fires up to 1263*Celsius.

And there you have it!

Not really. The pieces are then all tested and trialled to make sure there haven't been any changes while in the kiln and to ensure they are all food and beverage safe. Then there are photo shoots, wrapping and posting and finally they arrive to you! If you are interested in learning more or would lie more in depth info and would be interested in taking an in person or online course contact me :) happy making