Functional Terra Cotta and Stoneware

Most functional pieces are thrown on the wheel. They are thrown in white stoneware or our own formulated terra cotta stoneware clays. The terra cotta stoneware is our own formulation which allows us all the beauty of terra cotta with the durability of stoneware. They are then bisque fired and glaze fired in an electric kiln. All of our glazes are developed and mixed in our studio. All functional pottery is food safe and can be placed in the dishwasher and the microwave. Most items are also oven safe with proofing. (Pottery is placed in cold oven, then the oven is turned to temperature.)


Glaze Tests

 

Sawdust Fired Vessels

Most of our sawdust fired vessels are thrown on the wheel in white stoneware or terra cotta stoneware. Some may also be thrown with raku clay. A few of our larger vessels (2 foot urns) are coil built. After some drying, they are burnished. Burnishing compresses the clay particles and gives them a smooth, shiny appearance. The burnishing process is a time intensive part of the process. The pots are then bisque fired in the electric kiln.


These decorative pots are fired using a primitive form of pottery making. Our local woodworkers provide us a variety of hardwood sawdust which we use to fill a 55 gallon barrel. Some pots may be partially covered with a terra cotta clay slurry, giving each piece a unique pattern. Then, all pots are placed within the sawdust. A fire is started at the top, after which the lid is placed on and a 30 to 40 hour firing or smoking begins. The carbon from the smoke penetrates the clay giving each piece its own unique look. Each pot is sealed after firing.


Sawdust Leaf Tiles

Tiles are made from white stoneware. As they are rolled out on the slab roller, leaves from the property are impressed into the clay. After partially drying, the leaves are removed and the tiles are smoothed and finished. They are then sawdust fired using the same process as the sawdust fired vessels. The tiles are then sealed at the end of the process. Tiles are made for hanging, with cork feet to sit on a table or can be included in a wall tile display.


Decorative Pieces

Our baskets are hand built or thrown and altered with raku clay. The basket markings are made using terra cotta slip. The small basket like pieces are extruded from a very small extruder and applied one at a time.

The Lace Bowls and Serenity pieces are thrown on the wheel in terra cotta. They are dried to leather hard and then incised. Small bits of glaze are placed on the fully dry serenity pots and they are then once fired.







Signs

Individual signs are custom designed and produced. Each tile is made and decorated by hand, as are our frames. All signs are grouted and sealed.