Making Pots

I use a prepared stoneware clay that is a mixture of California and Missouri clays. It is iron bearing, giving it a toasty warm color when fired in a reduction atmosphere. The iron in the clay also interacts in a unique way with my glazes during the firing.

I throw on a foot powered treadle wheel. This type of wheel is slow and quiet and helps me feel connected to the clay while I work.

I make my glazes from scratch incorporating local elements when possible. The ash I use in my glazes is collected from the burning of the orchard firewood. The glazes are formulated to mature at cone 10 or 2350˚F.

My kiln is a 22 cubic foot Berman updraft fired with propane. I fire both the bisque firing and the glaze firing in this kiln. The bisque firing takes 12-15 hours to reach 1850˚F and hardens the pots making them less fragile for the glazing process. The glaze firing is more dynamic as the atmosphere inside the kiln is manipulated through the control of the gas and the damper. The reduction atmosphere inside the kiln, where essentially the kiln is starved of oxygen, results in a clay color and glaze surface unique to reduction firing. The glaze firing takes 10-12 hours to reach 2350˚F.

My choice in clay, process and use of local materials creates a finished piece that is uniquely tied to the place it was made.