Pottery Techniques

Techniques for making and finishing pottery evolved from processes having roots in ancient human history. Modern refinements and equipment offer nearly limitless creative possibilities for artistic interpretation.

• Smoke firing, as the name implies, combines heat and smoke from combustibles such as sawdust to create unique finishes to pottery works. The look can be organic, abstract, or even resemble an ancient relic.
• Saggar firing is done by firing a piece inside another two-part clay pot (the saggar). Usually chemicals, sawdust, steel wool, or other substances are used in the saggar or wrapped around the piece to create fascinating colors and patterns.