Pinching
Beginning as a ball of clay in the palm of the hand, the pinch pot starts off in the rudimentary form we remember from kindergarten. However, by gradually thinning and stretching the walls, stopping at different stages to let the clay rest and become more elastic, the pot has the potential to become an organic, refined shape.

Pit firing
Pit firing is one of the earliest methods of clay firing and lends a primitive quality to the pots. My pots are first bisque fired in an electric kiln to “harden” the clay. Each pot is then decorated with various chemicals (oxides and sulfates), colored clay slips (terra sigillata) and/or glazes. The pots are buried in sawdust and fired once again in an above-ground kiln built out of brick.

Because of the porous, fragile, nature of the less-than-mature pit fired or raku pot, these pieces should be considered decorative rather than functional. Pit fired pots are not safe for use with food or drinks, although pieces with glazed interiors will hold water and may be used as vases.