The pieces featured in these
pages are
handmade using the slipcasting method.
Specially prepared
liquid clay ("slip") is poured into plaster
moulds and left until the plaster has absorbed enough water to
leave a solid layer on the inside surface of the mould. The excess
slip is then poured off and the layer left to harden. The mould
is then dismantled and the piece left for a few days to dry. This
is the "greenware" stage and the piece is naturally very fragile.
The piece is tidied and can be decorated with coloured underglazes,
carved or left plain for the first firing at approximately 1060
degrees C.
After the first firing the piece is referred to as "bisque" and
is then ready for decorating and glazing ready for the final firing.
Greenware
is only available for collection due to its fragility.
It is also
possible for the pieces to be cast in Red Terracotta (not shown
in these pages). |