Anita Harris Art Pottery

From Biscuit To A Finished Vase

 

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​​Step 1: Liquid clay (slip) is poured into moulds and left to dry.

                When the thickness is correct, the excess is tipped out and the clay shell dries further.
 

Step 2: The pieces are removed from the moulds, and sponged and fettled to achieve a smooth finish.

                This is a highly skilled job.

 

Step 3: The pieces are ready to be fired to biscuit.

                 The darker pieces are still wet having just come out of the moulds.

 

Step 4: The "green" pieces are placed in the kiln for a biscuit firing of over 1100 degrees centigrade. 

                They can shrink up to eleven percent during firing.

 

Step 5: After the biscuit firing the ware is hand painted. 

                We use reactive glazes which interact violently against each other in the glost firing, producing an amazing finish.

                 Surface crackling occurs with the different expansion rates.

 

Step 6: The fired pieces.

                 The antique effect of the glaze will remain for the life of the piece.

                 "Pinging" will be heard, especially at dawn and dusk when large temperature changes can happen.

                  A marvel of ceramic art pottery.