All our pottery is made on the wheel by our skilled throwers. First, the clay is 'centred' on the wheel so that it runs true. This is essential to making a pot without lumps or wobbles on the rim.

After centering, the potter ‘opens out’ a hollow in the clay and compresses the clay in the base of the pot with the fingers. Next the clay is squeezed and drawn upwards in one or two pulls, then the line of the shape is defined using the fingers on the inner wall pushing against a rib on the outside. This creates a smooth surface which can be easily decorated.

Handles are usually applied the next day when the clay has become “leatherhard”.

The pot must be as damp as possible but firm enough not to dent when the handle is attached.

The pots are allowed to dry, from between three days to two weeks, depending on the size of the piece, and the humidity levels in the workshop. Our pots dry more quickly during the summer than in the winter months.

Once completely dry, the pots are fired to a temperature of 1000ºC in our kilns. This is known as the ‘biscuit’ firing and, as you can see, the clay changes from a greyish colour to white.

Once fired, the pots can no longer be changed back to re-usable clay slip by immersing them in water. The clay has changed irreversibly to ceramic.

The pots are decorated by hand using a combination of brush and sponge
techniques. Painting onto bisque-ware is like painting onto blotting paper and the decorators must use quick, flowing, confident strokes.

Each pot is dipped into a transparent glaze which completely covers the
decoration at this stage. The glaze is carefully cleaned from the base of the pot, otherwise it will stick to the kiln shelves.

The pots are then fired again to a temperature of 1150ºC and the glaze melts to form a clear, shiny surface.

After passing our rigorous inspection processes, the finished items are stored, ready for sale in our Craft Shop.