Making process
The Making process
The Making process
The clay is first cut to the appropriate weight then wedged, an essential part of the clay making process to remove any air. It's then ready to throw onto the potters wheel.
The clay is first cut to the appropriate weight then wedged, an essential part of the clay making process to remove any air. It's then ready to throw onto the potters wheel.
Once the shape is thrown it's left to go 'leather hard', this can be a day in the winter or just a couple of hours in the warmer months. once leather hard it is ready for the bottom to be turned, upside down on the wheel again, with the appropriate cutting tools and to apply any appendages, like handles for example. The handles or spouts are either thrown on the wheel or hand built, Again these have to be applied leather hard so the clays are of a similar dryness to avoid cracking. These are then left to slowly dry over a couple of days lightly covered with sheeting to slow down the drying process again to avoid any cracks.
Once the shape is thrown it's left to go 'leather hard', this can be a day in the winter or just a couple of hours in the warmer months. once leather hard it is ready for the bottom to be turned, upside down on the wheel again, with the appropriate cutting tools and to apply any appendages, like handles for example. The handles or spouts are either thrown on the wheel or hand built, Again these have to be applied leather hard so the clays are of a similar dryness to avoid cracking. These are then left to slowly dry over a couple of days lightly covered with sheeting to slow down the drying process again to avoid any cracks.
Once fully dry they are ready for their 1st firing, the Bisque firing, to 950c which is a 24hr process. The bisque is the then thoroughly washed & any fettling that needs to be done before adding the decoration, the glazing. Then the 2nd 24hr firing which I take to 1240c. The pieces are then finally grinded with a stone so that the bottoms are nicely smooth & feel smooth to touch.
Once fully dry they are ready for their 1st firing, the Bisque firing, to 950c which is a 24hr process. The bisque is the then thoroughly washed & any fettling that needs to be done before adding the decoration, the glazing. Then the 2nd 24hr firing which I take to 1240c. The pieces are then finally grinded with a stone so that the bottoms are nicely smooth & feel smooth to touch.