As I am still only an apprentice potter, I have yet to settle down and set up my very own studio. I am currently sharing a studio with Simon Levin in Pawnee, IL. We moved to Pawnee in October of 2017 and converted the detached garage building into a working studio space.

As with any potter, my process begins with my clay. I am currently using a domestic porcelain and an iron-rich porcelaineous stoneware. The porcelain that I use comes from a factory in a ready-to-use 25lb block. I recycle the waste from this porcelain and add varying amounts of iron-bearing clays to create a clay body with a darker color palette. I've chosen both of these clay bodies for their workability and their potential for beautiful color in the wood kiln. My future studio will have a nearby clay source that I will be able to harvest from and create with.

Spreading out to dry a batch of reclaimed porcelain with added red clay. Photo by Emily Kraus.

This material is beautiful. Photo by Emily Kraus.

Most of my pots begin on the potter's wheel. Here I will take you through the process of making a cup.

Every pot begins with centering. Photo by Emily Kraus.

Beginning to take shape. Photo by Emily Kraus.

Refining the curve. Photo by Emily Kraus.

Opening. Photo by Emily Kraus.

Refining the lip. Photo by Emily Kraus.

Painting on a thick slip, brushed texture. Photo by Emily Kraus.

After throwing several cups like this, I then have to wait a day or so for the clay to dry out to a stage called "leather-hard". At this stage I can safely handle the pots without distorting their shape or ruining their textures, and finish the foot in a process called "trimming", or "turning".

Photo by Emily Kraus.

Photo by Emily Kraus.

Trimming, or "turning", a foot. Photo by Emily Kraus.

Finally, with the foot trimmed, I can go back in and decorate. I use a combination of tools including an xacto bade, to carve elegant designs into the surface of the cup.

Planning decoration. Photo by Emily Kraus.

Carving leafy patterns. Photo by Emily Kraus.

Photo by Emily Kraus.

Finally, the cup gets my signature stamp. A small "h".

Photo by Emily Kraus.

Photo by Emily Kraus.

Finished! Photo by Emily Kraus.

What happens next? Read a little bit about the wood firing process here.

Huge thank you to Emily Kraus of Elouise Photography for the wonderful photos.