Ceramic Dog or Cat Bowl with PawPrint Design and "Love is a four Legged Friend" Food Bowl, Pet Supplies, Handmade Pottery

My love affair with clay

Isn’t it amazing that pottery comes from dirt? Ok a lump of clay. But that clay comes from the earth - actually decomposing rock - but who needs to be technical. This is my passion. And I want to share it with you and the world. Bowls, platters, trays, cups, mugs, sculptures,vessels, all of it. So I love playing with clay! I always have since I was young. I have only had my hands back in clay for about 8 years on and off. I don't have any formal training, I am self taught. I love the way it feels, and the challenge it presents. Most of all, I love making and sharing it with and for YOU! I want you to experience that "something special" when you hold a piece of handmade pottery in your hands. Let’s take a mug for example. You and everyone else needs to have at least one handmade mug that feels amazing in your hands. I actually have a few to choose from made by other potters that I reach for. That one mug (or more) magically becomes your “go to” mug each time you have a cup of coffee, tea, or your favorite beverage. It doesn't feel cold, manufactured, and disposable like most mass produced items we have in our cupboards. Each piece is unique, no two pieces are identical. Just as you are unique and have your own personality so does each piece of handmade pottery. When you look at your decorative/functional bowl or tray on your counter, you know that no one else in the world has one just the same. It is as unique as you are. As you hold it, it feels warm with depth, soul, and history. This is the art of the maker and art comes from the depths of one's soul, and within that soul there is a history.

Making pots is one of the oldest art forms in history. This is part of the charm of pottery. And I am honored to be a part of that. My mission is to make beautiful pottery for you so you can fill your home with one of a kind pieces. I hope my passion for pottery ignites a passion in you too! And know that each piece I make is made for you, with love and joy.

THE PROCESS

It is a long process that I find creative, meditative, and exciting. Each piece is hand-made. Whether on the potters wheel, by hand-building, or a combination of both methods. Once the piece is formed it sits until it is dry. This could take days to weeks. Then it is put in the kiln for its first firing. This is called the Bisque firing which is unglazed and prepares the piece for glazing. It takes about 12 hours to complete. Now the piece is ready for the glaze application. Once the glaze is dry it is time for the 2nd firing, the Glaze firing. It is fired to a very high temperature of 2260' F. Now the "magic" happens. The piece becomes strong, non-porous, the glaze melts, and becomes glass-like. It will take 7-12 hours. Now comes the hardest part of the process for all potters....waiting...waiting for the kiln to cool. At this point all I can think about is when that kiln lid can be opened so I can see how things turned out. It is always like a surprise party! Because there are so many variables which cannot all be controlled, the end result is always a surprise. Some wonderful and some not so much. But it is always very exciting!