my intentional creative process

the creation

the beauty of small batch pottery

People often underestimate the amount of time and energy that goes into the creation of a single piece of pottery. From ideation to shipping, a single piece can take anywhere from 6-10+ hours. As a small batch potter, no two pieces that I make are alike; that means that what you are purchasing is truly a unique piece of art. Here's how my ideas transform into tangible pieces of pottery.

1

throw

I start the process at the wheel with a fresh ball of clay. I work both intentionally and intuitively; I begin with an idea and let the clay speak through my hands. Once formed, I remove the piece from the wheel and allow it to settle and become firm.

2

embellish

Once the piece is firm enough, it’s time to embellish it. Embellishment is the most labor intensive and gratifying part of the process. A few of the many steps can include pulling the handle of a mug, applying black underglaze for a carving and forming the sculpted elements of my designs.

3

glaze

After a piece has been embellished, it’s time to bring it to life through color. Glazing can either make or break a piece. The glaze combinations I use are a product of extensive testing and often require several glazes and between 10-12 brushed on layers. I brush, rather than dip my pieces into glaze, as it allows for better control of where I apply each layer and every color.

4

fire

Each piece sits on the shelf until its bone dry and ready for the kiln. Loading pieces into the kiln is an art in and of itself. The pieces cannot touch, or they run the risk of fusing together. I take my time to place and move pieces around and maximize space; it’s like a puzzle. Once everything is positioned just right, I close the lid and let the kiln Gods work their magic.

5

package

The final step, and by no means least important, involves carefully packaging each piece to safely ship it to your home. I polish the bottom of the piece so that it feels nice and smooth and then wrap it in eco-friendly packaging so that it is ready for gifting, either to yourself your lucky recipient. I also include care instructions and a handwritten note, which speaks to the intention and symbolism of your handcrafted vessel.