How is ClareWare made, anyway?
It all starts with a few pounds of wet earthenware clay. The clay is thrown into a shape on the wheel then left to become "leather hard". At that stage, excess clay is trimmed off and pieces like handles are added. This is the easy part!
Colored slips, which are liquified clay with pigments added, are applied in layers using haki brushes. Each color must dry before the next color is added, which can take up to an hour. When all the colors have set up, a sharp loop tool is used to cut through the layers of clay to create images. This process is known as "sgraffito", an Italian word meaning 'to scratch'.
When the pots are "bone dry" they are fired in the kiln to a crispy hard state called "bisque". The cooled pots are then given a coat of clear glaze and re-fired. When they come out of this firing they are done!
Earthenware clay matures at a lower temperature than stoneware and porcelain. At the higher temps that stoneware and porcelain need, many of those lovely colors I use would burn out. For me, the imagery and designs are as important as the shape, functionality, and level of craft. It's where the fun comes in!
ClareWare is fired to a temperature of almost 2000F, which results in a mature pot ready for everyday use. Earthenware requires less energy to achieve maturity than do Stoneware and Porcelain, an idea that appeals to my sense of conservation.
Colored slips, which are liquified clay with pigments added, are applied in layers using haki brushes. Each color must dry before the next color is added, which can take up to an hour. When all the colors have set up, a sharp loop tool is used to cut through the layers of clay to create images. This process is known as "sgraffito", an Italian word meaning 'to scratch'.
When the pots are "bone dry" they are fired in the kiln to a crispy hard state called "bisque". The cooled pots are then given a coat of clear glaze and re-fired. When they come out of this firing they are done!
Earthenware clay matures at a lower temperature than stoneware and porcelain. At the higher temps that stoneware and porcelain need, many of those lovely colors I use would burn out. For me, the imagery and designs are as important as the shape, functionality, and level of craft. It's where the fun comes in!
ClareWare is fired to a temperature of almost 2000F, which results in a mature pot ready for everyday use. Earthenware requires less energy to achieve maturity than do Stoneware and Porcelain, an idea that appeals to my sense of conservation.