Where can I buy your ceramics?
Unfortunately my pieces are currently available physically only. Most at Shop Makers Gastown, some at KindSpine Wellness and at upcoming street markets this year. But very soon I’m opening my online shop and will offer worldwide shipping. Keep an eye on my IG for updates!
Shop Makers Gastown
Address: 38 Water St, Vancouver, BC V6B 0B7
Hours:
Monday 10 am – 8 pm
Tuesday 10 am – 8 pm
Wednesday 10 am – 8 pm
Thursday 10 am – 8 pm
Friday 10 am – 8 pm
Saturday 10 am – 8 pm
Sunday 10 am – 8 pm
KindSpine Chiropractic & Wellness
Address: 789 W Pender St Unit 850, Vancouver, BC V6C 1H2
Hours:
Monday 8:30 am – 6 pm
Tuesday 8:30 am – 2 pm
Wednesday 1 pm – 6 pm
Thursday 8:30 am – 2 pm
Friday – Closed
Saturday – Closed
Sunday – Closed
Upcoming Market
Vintage & Handmade Society
Street Market 2024
When? May 25th 2024
11 am – 6 pm
Where? Robson Square
800 Robson St, Vancouver, BC
What does the process for custom orders look like from beginning to end?
1. Fill out and send the commission form
2. I will reach out to give more info and discuss any further design details based off of your application
3. Sketch (if necessary) and quote will be created
4. Client final approval
5. Down payment is collected (if asked for)
6. Throwing/Hand-building: The initial form for your commission is made
7. Trimming/Refining: Excess clay is removed shaping and refining the thrown or hand-built form
8. Handles: Handles will be created and attached (if applicable)
9. Underglazing: adding colors, drawings, illustrations, carvings, sgraffito (if applicable)
10. Drying: Takes the longest time, sometimes even weeks
11. Bisque Firing: Once the work is dried out, it will go through the first of two firings in the kiln
12. Glazing: Vitrifying coat is applied and finished
13. Glaze firing: Second and final time the work will go through the kiln
14. Sanding: Smooth surface and remove any post-firing imperfection
15. Clean: I thoroughly wash my work after its done going through the process
16. Photograph: Photo shooting for portfolio, Instagram, website, marketing and personal record purposes
17. Pack and deliver/ship off to its new home
What can go wrong during the process of making pottery?
- Glazes/underglazes colors can shift in color, such as a green turning to a brown. Underglaze can sometimes burn off in the firing process causing it to disappear almost completely.
- Glazes can "run". Glaze is made up of different chemicals that melt during the firing, sometimes it can run into an undesirable area on the pot surface, off the pot and onto the kiln shelf. This can ruin the piece or cause some blemishes.
- Glaze can “skip” meaning that the final application of a glaze may decide to not stick to a small section of the pot.
- Glaze can bubble or create a different texture than originally expecting. I find this to be more common when using matte glazes.
- Pottery can crack. Pots can get anywhere from a hairline crack to bigger cracks.
- Pottery can explode in the kiln or causing the whole pot to go into pieces or just a section of the pot.
- Pottery can warp. This is more common with large flat pottery such as plates or platters.
How do I care for my ceramics?
I recommend that all of my pieces be washed by hand just to ensure longevity. But it won’t be the end of the world if you put in the dishwasher every now and then.
Thermal shock is the greatest risk to ceramics. Use extra caution when placing stoneware in the oven. It is recommended to preheat oven with the dish present, do not put a cold dish in a hot oven. Do not use on stove top or grill.
Over time glazes will develop a history. As they are used, certain foods and oils can cause colours to shift. If your ceramics get marked by soft metal silverware you can hand wash them using a good scrubber with baking soda or Vim to help remove marks.
Pots live and die in use. Don't be afraid to enjoy them.
Is this safe to eat on? Can I put into the microwave?
Yes, my glazes are food safe and and the pieces are microwave safe. Some glazes, more often matte surfaces develop a history with time by taking on oils and spices through use, but this does not affect their food safety.
Ceramic Glossary
Here’s a detailed look at the common terms and processes involved in my work, focusing on the methods I use to bring each piece to life.
- Pottery Techniques:
Throwing: Shaping clay on a potter's wheel. I center the stoneware clay on the wheel and use my hands and tools to form it into shapes, such as mugs, bowls, and plates. Throwing allows me to create symmetrical and functional pieces.
Hand building: Creating pottery without a wheel using hands and simple tools.
- Sub-techniques:
Pinching: Forming the clay by pinching it between fingers, often used for making small bowls and cups.
Coiling: Rolling clay into long ropes and stacking them to build larger forms, which are then smoothed out.
Slab building: Rolling clay into flat slabs and cutting and assembling them to create geometric shapes and freeform designs.
- Clay bodies I use:
Cream-white clay (Laguna B-Mix): Cream coloured porcelain textured stoneware. A type of stoneware clay fired at mid to high temperatures. I use white stoneware clay exclusively for its bright and clean appearance. Fired to cone 6 (about 2232°F or 1222°C), it is durable and non-porous, making it ideal for functional ware. Its natural white color provides a beautiful canvas for glazes and underglazes.
Speckled clay (Plainsman M340-S): Smooth buff burning stoneware with manganese speckle (little brown dots), that usually bleeds up through glazes. A little bit darker than the previous one.
Coffee clay (Plainsman Coffee): Dark brown clay. Mid-Fire Coffee Black is a powerful naturally-occurring pigmented clay. The umber fluxes the body so that it vitrifies at cone 6. It is smooth and easy to throw. It accepts glazes very well.
- Stages and Firings:
Leather-hard: The stage of clay when it has dried enough to be firm but is still pliable. This is the ideal stage for trimming, carving and attaching additional elements without distorting the shape.
Greenware: Unfired pottery that is completely dry and ready for bisque firing. At this stage, the clay is most fragile and must be handled with care.
Bisque Firing: The first firing of pottery to harden the clay. This process removes moisture and prepares the piece for glazing. Bisque firing occurs at a lower temperature, making the pottery easier to handle and glaze.
Glaze Firing: The second firing, where glazed bisque ware is fired to the final temperature. I fire my pieces to cone 6 in an electric kiln. This process melts the glaze into a smooth, glossy, satin or matte finish, sealing the pottery and adding beautiful color and texture.
Vitrification: The process during firing where the clay body becomes non-porous and glass-like. Firing stoneware to cone 6 achieves vitrification, making the pottery strong and suitable for everyday use.
- Glazes:
Glossy Glaze: A shiny, reflective surface finish. Ideal for mugs and plates, creating a bright, smooth surface that is easy to clean and enhances the underglaze colors.
Matte Glaze: A non-reflective, soft finish. Provides a modern, understated look, often used for more rustic or contemporary pieces.
- Decorative Techniques:
Underglazing: Applying coloured decoration to bisque ware before glazing. This technique provides vibrant, detailed designs that are protected by a clear glaze.
Sgraffito: A technique where potters can put a layer of underglaze or slip on a piece of leather-hard pottery, let it dry, then use a pottery carving tool to scratch at it to show the base layer of color. Sgraffito derives from an Italian word meaning “to scratch.” I usually use this technique to make organic and wavy lines on plates, bowls and mugs.