FOR MANY POTTERS, their spiritual connection with the clay is of great importance and they often begin collecting with a corn meal offering to the Clay Lady. The preparation of the clay is a very physical and time-consuming process. THE POTTERY IS BUILT with the coil method, as the clay is unsuited to throwing on a wheel. The coils are stacked in layers as the pot takes form, smoothed, sanded and left to dry.
ONCE POLISHING IS COMPLETE, the design is applied using plant and mineral pigments, or a pattern is carved or incised into the piece. Then all that remains is the firing. A WOOD FIRE IS BUILT OUTDOORS, and pieces of broken pottery and tin are used to surround the pieces being fired to protect them from the flames. Watching the fire closely, the potter judges when to let the fire die down. After the coals have cooled, the pottery is removed and exa MANY WEEKS IN THE MAKING, handmade pottery is a gift from the earth, shaped by hands taught in the old ways and offered to you. |