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The Work Process
The manufacturing process for hand made pottery comprises of a number of different activities .In John Eagle’s studio no outside help is employed and the following steps are undertaken by John:
- The clay is hand wedged (prepared) to particular weights depending on the shape to be thrown. Throwing refers to the forming of the pot on the wheel.
- The pot is thrown and removed from the wheel and allowed to dry to a stage known as ‘leather hard’ which means it is firm but not dry.
- The pot is then placed on the wheel again and the base is trimmed with a sharp tool to create a refined foot.
- When the work is dry (this can take up to two weeks) and totally free of moisture it is given a first firing known as ‘bisque’to approximately 1000ºC.
- The base of the pot is waxed to prevent glaze adherence and the glazing process begins .The pot is dipped in a water based glaze. John then decorates the surface using hand made brushes dipped in a range of thin glazes and oxides.
- The pot is then ready for the glaze firing where the temperature reaches 1320ºC. and the glaze forms a glass like surface on the pot.
- After the glaze firing, the kiln must be left to cool for about 24 hours. Lustre rims and further decoration can then be applied and further firings undertaken to 800ºC.
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