time. lots and lots of time.

making a piece of pottery takes on average about 6 - 8 weeks

the pottery process has many steps - far too many to reasonably detail here - but in summary, to make a mug, I throw about a pound of clay on the wheel into the mug shape I’d like it to be. Then, after resting under plastic until it is “leather hard,” I make and attach a handle and stamp my logo into the bottom. The mug will then dry completely (any moisture left will result in an explosion in the kiln). The mug undergoes its first firing in the kiln to just under 2,000 F, after which I glaze it and fire it again, this time to just over 2,000 F. Pottery is ready for use after this second firing, but some of my pieces undergo a third or even a fourth firing in the kiln, such as pieces with real gold adornments.

From the time I throw a piece on the wheel to the time it is ready for sale is about 6 - 8 weeks.