From Clay to Cup: The Journey of Our Ceramics

Throwing is the process of shaping clay on a spinning potter's wheel. This post walks through every stage – selecting and wedging the clay, centering, opening, pulling the walls and shaping – and what sets hand-thrown ceramics apart from machine-made ones.

Trimming is the stage where a leather-hard piece is refined back on the wheel – excess clay is removed, the foot is shaped, and the proportions are balanced. This post covers the leather-hard timing, the tools, and the process for mugs, bowls and plates.

Drying is the stage where moisture leaves the clay slowly and evenly before firing. Proper drying prevents cracks and warping. This post explains clay shrinkage (5-8%), how we control humidity, airflow and temperature (18-24°C), and how long it takes – from a few days to several weeks.

Bisque firing is the first kiln firing, at around 900-1000°C, that turns dried clay into permanent, porous ceramic. This post covers what happens chemically at each temperature, how we load and program the kiln, and why we bisque fire before glazing.

Handmade ceramics are created in at least seven stages – preparation, throwing, trimming, drying, bisque firing, glazing and glaze firing – over several weeks. This overview walks through each step and what it adds to the finished piece.