All of my work is formed on a wheel. I usually allow the pots to firm up overnight and the next day I do any finishing work; this includes trimming, attaching of handles and knobs, assembling teapots, etc. After they are thrown, the pots take 10-14 days to dry out—the weather plays a role in the time variance.
Once the pots are dry enough, they go into an electric kiln where they are bisque fired to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit. If there is any moisture in the clay the pots will explode in the bisque kiln (this is why they must dry thoroughly).
This first firing sinters the clay particles, turning the pot into a hard, but porous ceramic material. Once the pots reach this point, I am able to decorate them, if I choose to, using powdered metals that are mixed with water. This mixture soaks into the clay—much like painting with watercolors, the dry clay absorbs the colorants.
The porous bisque stage is also when glazes would be applied to the pottery. The glazes absorb into the clay, and adhere to the to the surface of the pot, until it can be high-fired (2300-2400 degrees F.) in one of my three outdoor kilns. At these temperatures the glazes become fused to the surface of the pottery.
It is the second firing that vitrifies, and fuses the particles of the clay. This is also what allows for the waterproof nature of the pottery. This takes place in one of my three kilns: wood, reduction, or salt. The glazes and colorants react differently in each of these finish-firing kilns.
Once the process is complete, I thoroughly inspect each of the pots for any flaws.
From wet clay to finished vessel, this entire process typically takes 3-4 weeks.
Once the pots are dry enough, they go into an electric kiln where they are bisque fired to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit. If there is any moisture in the clay the pots will explode in the bisque kiln (this is why they must dry thoroughly).
This first firing sinters the clay particles, turning the pot into a hard, but porous ceramic material. Once the pots reach this point, I am able to decorate them, if I choose to, using powdered metals that are mixed with water. This mixture soaks into the clay—much like painting with watercolors, the dry clay absorbs the colorants.
The porous bisque stage is also when glazes would be applied to the pottery. The glazes absorb into the clay, and adhere to the to the surface of the pot, until it can be high-fired (2300-2400 degrees F.) in one of my three outdoor kilns. At these temperatures the glazes become fused to the surface of the pottery.
It is the second firing that vitrifies, and fuses the particles of the clay. This is also what allows for the waterproof nature of the pottery. This takes place in one of my three kilns: wood, reduction, or salt. The glazes and colorants react differently in each of these finish-firing kilns.
Once the process is complete, I thoroughly inspect each of the pots for any flaws.
From wet clay to finished vessel, this entire process typically takes 3-4 weeks.