When you hold a piece of handmade pottery, look at it closely to discover its uniqueness.  Each piece was created from a lump of clay and will contain many clues to its creation.

Thrown, altered, handbuilt additions, texturing, poking, prodding, slip decoration, this piece shows many techniques.

Altered Pottery

Many times, I will open the clay down to the bat so that it has no floor to change its shape to an oval or square.  Later, I will roll out a slab for the floor and attach it.  I often leave evidence of that joining process.  Sometimes you will see the canvas texture in the floor where I rolled it out.  A top can be added to the pot in the same way.

Texture

I enjoy adding texture to my pieces.   Scoring the surface of the clay with a tool while soft is one way to create texture.

Faceting is cutting away clay to make textured surfaces.  I use a wire to run down the surface and cut away clay in interesting, uneven strips.

Incising is another technique to create places for glaze to break and pool or can be used to outline drawn features.  I apply white slip over red clay and then carve lines through it to bring out the red contrast.

Glazing

I currently use low fire glazes that are food safe and microwave and dishwasher safe.  Sometimes oxides are used as an underglaze to bring out additional color.  If colored slips are painted on the surface of the piece before the first firing, these pieces are finished with a clear glaze that can be glossy, satin or a matte finish.

Techniques

Wheel Throwing a Large Vase in Three Pieces and Joining

Adding handles to Cups

Fluting

Raku firing is a different type of process.  Learn more about Horse Hair Pottery here.