Stoneware Pottery
Most of my work is wheel thrown. I use both white and dark colored stoneware clays that are eventually fired to a Cone 6 which is necessary to make the piece oven, microwave and dishwasher proof. The different clay colors give me a completely unique look when viewing the final product. Therefore, I determine which clay to use up front when deciding what the final product will be.
I start by centering a lump of clay on a plastic bat in the middle of my pottery wheel. I always decide what I am going to make in advance, therefore allowing me to select my clay type, weight of the clay and the size of the base width and approximate height the piece needs to be centered to. Once the clay has been centered (many time the hardest part for budding potters, but the most important step!), I open up the clay and create the internal bottom of approximately ¼” for the piece. Then, the walls of clay are pulled up to meet the height that I am looking to attain. Since I already know the shape that I am looking for, I gently create the shape with my hands, wooden tools and a plastic rib tool until the piece is the shape that I desire.
Once the piece is complete, I put it aside until it becomes leather hard. I create any attachments and/or lids immediately following making the base using the same process and allow those to become leather hard as well.
Then comes the best part; altering the piece to make it one of a kind. Many times I will add a rich texture from leaves, sticks, bark, or handmade stamps. I then may add handles, ribbons of clay, or stamped pieces based on what I am trying to achieve with the piece. Once all the alterations have been done, I let the stoneware clay become bone dry. It is then ready to be bisque fired.
I fire these pieces in an electric kiln to a temperature that is somewhere around 1800°F for the bisque firing. They are then glazed with lead free glaze and fired again to approximately 2267°F. I fire my work slowly for about 14 hours and let it cool slowly for another 5 to 6 hours. The whole kiln process can sometimes take up to 24 hours.
My stoneware work is all functional. Some of my most popular pieces include large bowls that double a functional and decorative work. In addition, the casserole dishes make perfect dishes to entertain friends and even to leave as hostess gifts. Stoneware pottery is the perfect gift for weddings as well as makes great holiday gifts for any occasion! It is fun, functional and perfectly one of a kind!
I start by centering a lump of clay on a plastic bat in the middle of my pottery wheel. I always decide what I am going to make in advance, therefore allowing me to select my clay type, weight of the clay and the size of the base width and approximate height the piece needs to be centered to. Once the clay has been centered (many time the hardest part for budding potters, but the most important step!), I open up the clay and create the internal bottom of approximately ¼” for the piece. Then, the walls of clay are pulled up to meet the height that I am looking to attain. Since I already know the shape that I am looking for, I gently create the shape with my hands, wooden tools and a plastic rib tool until the piece is the shape that I desire.
Once the piece is complete, I put it aside until it becomes leather hard. I create any attachments and/or lids immediately following making the base using the same process and allow those to become leather hard as well.
Then comes the best part; altering the piece to make it one of a kind. Many times I will add a rich texture from leaves, sticks, bark, or handmade stamps. I then may add handles, ribbons of clay, or stamped pieces based on what I am trying to achieve with the piece. Once all the alterations have been done, I let the stoneware clay become bone dry. It is then ready to be bisque fired.
I fire these pieces in an electric kiln to a temperature that is somewhere around 1800°F for the bisque firing. They are then glazed with lead free glaze and fired again to approximately 2267°F. I fire my work slowly for about 14 hours and let it cool slowly for another 5 to 6 hours. The whole kiln process can sometimes take up to 24 hours.
My stoneware work is all functional. Some of my most popular pieces include large bowls that double a functional and decorative work. In addition, the casserole dishes make perfect dishes to entertain friends and even to leave as hostess gifts. Stoneware pottery is the perfect gift for weddings as well as makes great holiday gifts for any occasion! It is fun, functional and perfectly one of a kind!