Our Pots Don't Bounce
Our Standard Ware pots are handmade. One by one they are thrown and turned on a Potter’s Wheel, fettled to remove any debris, biscuit fired, waxed, dipped in a glaze, cleaned, and fired to stoneware temperatures. Each pot is different. Pondering subtle differences - the processes they’re borne from, and the hands that made them - is one of the many pleasures that handmade pots share. We strive to make our pots consistent, but each one is pretty determined to make its story known. One of the great pleasures and pains of making is exploring the balance between homogeneity and individuality.
We fire in oxidation in electric kilns. The kilns reach temperatures in excess of 1250˚C. Electric kilns have a neutral atmosphere - they are reliable(ish). Stability often comes with a trade-off - neutral glazes. Hopefully, you know us well enough to know we like to play with limitations… We undertake extensive research to develop and formulate in-house glazes that are rich in material character. Surfaces are variable - they have the depth, movement, and variation of glazes often the preserve of atmospheric firings.
Our glazes are stoneware and durable. They are food and dishwasher safe. We always road test our pots. We invest a lot of love, and often a few tears, into making our pots. We test how they perform at home and in the studio. Handmade pots will demand a little bit of care and attention but they will give more than they take.
Industrially manufactured pots are stronger - they are engineered to bounce (within reason). Our handmade pots are low tech by comparison. We recommend careful handling and hand washing to increase the life expectancy of your pot(s). Sadly our pots will never bounce - unless you are very lucky!