garlic pots

I started making these pots in 1993. My mum had bought a simple terracotta garlic storage pot and dropped it the first day she had it. I had not long been making pots but I thought I ought to be able to do something and this is the design I came up with. The porosity of the unglazed earthenware clay and the small holes ensure that the garlic doesn't sweat and go mouldy.

I've been making them in small batches ever since. The making process is quite time consuming. Each one is thrown on the wheel and then the shape altered and carved with a wooden tool whilst still soft. The lid is cut from the base and I then paint three or four layers of a white slip (liquid clay) on the outside and rims. The red clay shows through in places, giving an interesting surface. It has been suggesed that I could slip-cast them - but the point is that I like the way they are all individual!

Because this is the only thing I make in red clay I have to clean up the wheel and all my tools before and after making them, so I just do a batch every so often. They are popular so it is best to check with me that I have some before travelling.

domestic ware

These pieces are wheel thrown and a layer of 'reactive' slip is brushed onto the leather-hard clay. I incise lines through this slip, revealing the white clay below. After a first firing they are glazed in a semi-transparent white glaze. In the glaze firing the slip reacts with the glaze to produce interesting shades and textures.

The work is fired to 1200°C, a low stoneware temperature. This makes it more resiliant than earthenware (which is what most domestic crockery is made from) and it can all be put in the microwave and dishwasher without fear of damaging it.