A balancing act between creativity and limited storage space.
I fell in love with pottery while taking a class after a bad break-up. Thankfully, my love for ceramics lasted longer than the broken heart. I haven't stopped dreaming about getting my hands muddy since the first time I sat at the wheel!
Lonesome Jug Pottery officially began after my first sale with other studio members. As I scanned my table I noticed my little jug. It sat with dignity, alone, on the table filled with bowls and mugs. My little, lonesome jug represented all of the struggles and perseverance of learning a new craft and the exciting possibilities that clay offered. Lonesome Jug Pottery was born.
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Fast wheel,
slow hands
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The process
All of my pieces are handmade with love and care in Montreal, Canada. They all start as lumps of moist, malleable clay, and end as unique pieces of functional pottery designed to add some handmade joy to your regular routine.
Wedging
Knead the clay to align clay particles and removes an air bubbles.
Centering
Slam the clay on the wheel and muscle it into the centre. This makes sure that the clay stays even as the wheel turns.
Opening
Drill a hole in the middle to start shaping the clay. Stretch the clay open to form the base of the pot.
Pulling
This step is more of a squeeze than a pull. Squeeze the clay as the wheel turns while slowly lifting your hands. The walls get higher and the pot beings to take shape. Take it off the wheel after finalizing the shape.
Drying. Again.
Dry the piece completely at this point. The piece is at its most fragile, it is essentially compressed dust at this point. All moisture must leave the pot otherwise it will explode in the kiln.
Drying
Dry the piece slowly over several days to allow the piece to harden, which makes it easier to handle without warping or destroying the shape.
Bisque firing
Fire in the kiln for about 6 hours. This lower-temperature firing will vitrify the clay so that it is solid, but still porous. Let them cool.
Glaze firing
Fire in the kiln for a second, longer and hotter firing. This will fully vitrify the clay which seals it and makes it water tight. The glaze will melt and turn to glass, creating beautiful colours and reactions (if I’ve calculated properly).
Trimming
Put it back on the wheel upside down, trim away excess clay, and refine the shape. Carve a indent in the base to create a foot ring, and add any handles or carved decorations.
Glazing
Dust the pieces and then apply a glaze to add colour and strength to the piece. The reactions between glazes will either create magic, or they turn out horribly.