Pots are hand thrown and turned on the wheel and handles are pulled by hand. After the first ‘bisque’ firing to a lower temperature, each piece is glazed before decorating individually. The final stoneware firing is to 1250 degrees in the electric kiln.

Some decorations are more figurative using fine brushwork. In others layers are built up so different surfaces and colours bleed into each other, with slip-trailing over looser brushwork.

Glazes are used that let the warmth of the clay body show through. Some designs use wax-resist to emphasise the contrast between the glaze and the clay. A new decoration makes use of sponges to print onto the glaze surface. Of course the kiln often has the last say, and there is still an element of surprise on opening the door!

photo by Chris Zuidyk