Three Lick pottery is dual purpose – it is functional for every day use and stunningly beautiful! I like to say it is a piece of art you can hold everyday!
Each item is made with love, by my hands alone. One load in the kiln takes weeks to create and finish; it is definitely a labor of love! My process starts with weighing out my clay; then it gets wedged (this helps remove the air bubbles); after that I throw the shape I want on the wheel; then it needs to dry for several hours before it gets trimmed; after trimming I can decorate the shape in various ways and add attachments. Once the piece is fully assembled it must dry fully, this can take several days to a week or more. It is critical that it is bone dry or it will explode in the first firing. Once bone dry, it gets loaded into the bisque firing. This makes the pottery hard, so it is easier to deal with without breaking, but still absorbent so that it accepts the glaze. It is at this point I apply the glaze. The bottom of every piece must be wiped clean of glaze, otherwise the glaze will adhere to the kiln shelf. After the glaze is applied and cleaned off the bottom, I load everything into the kiln, making sure none of the pieces are touching; because they will adhere together. The kiln fires to 2232 degrees, which liquefies the glaze and completely vitrifies the clay body. The finished product is beautiful and completely functional.