My trim scrap pieces take the leftover bits of clay that I trim off of my other pottery to use as decoration. These pieces also often utilize slip application as another major component of the work. Working with trim scraps can be painstaking and very fragile work. The thin nature of the scraps means the clay pieces fall apart easily and dry out very quickly, making them virtually unusable. The organic forms, slip, and trim decor all work together to utilize all parts of the clay making process and waste as little clay as possible. The trimmed pieces are primarily leftover from my agateware forms which is why they tend to be two-toned in nature.

Bowls, plates and anything in between are some of my favorite forms of functional ware. They are a beautiful way to enjoy all your favorite foods.

Agateware is the process of taking two different colored clays and using them to throw or build your piece of pottery. When thrown on the wheel it results in beautiful marble-like striations in the piece that create a unique look. Each agateware piece is one of a kind and nearly any form can be created using the technique. Here are a number of examples of my agateware work.

Slip trailing allows an artist to draw on their pottery using wet, muddy, clay. This gives the piece a unique texture that is as enjoyable to look at as it is to hold and use.

The bread and butter of any potter’s arsenal is their mugs. It is one of the most sold and sought after items we make. Knowing how to create a number of unique and beautiful versions of this form is essential. Here’s a random sampling of a number of my hot beverage vessels.

This piece stands 7 inches tall and features elegantly applied slip on the surface of the form. The spiraling nature of the slip draws the eye up toward any floral arrangements that one might put in it. Flowers are not necessary for this piece to stand out and become a showcase of decorative art in your home. The neutral color is sure to complement any decor.

This vase sits between 6 1/2 to 7 inches tall. The surface features slip and glaze applied to mimic rain water pouring down the outside of the form. The unique organic rim, complements the spiral action that curves around the piece, making this an eye catching piece from any angle.

This 6 and a half inch tall vase features an organically applied slip texture on the belly of the form. The glaze is applied to highlight the unique structures of the glaze through a translucent pooling, giving it the unique look of watercolor paint. This piece would be a perfect accent to any home decor and would showcase floral arrangements beautifully.

This 7 inch tall vase features slip and glaze drips down the surface of the piece. The flowing, organic quality of the decoration will add an ephemeral natural beauty to any home.

This lovely cream colored vase stands 9 inches tall and features slip dripped down the side in a decorative, organic manner. The neutral color is meant to complement a plethora of home decor and contrast any flowers or other plant-life put into it.

Sgraffito is the process of applying a colored layer of slip (wet clay) to the surface of a piece of pottery then caving through it to create the design or decoration of the piece. Sgraffito is a technique I use often in my work, take a look at some of the resulting effects.

This slim 8 inch high by 4 inch wide vase is great for small bouquets and hand-picked flowers from the garden that need a slightly smaller opening on top to showcase their beauty.  The delicate coloring allows every kind of flower to shine.

This lovely vase stand 8 inches tall by 5 inches wide and features a smeared slip decoration that accents the belly of the piece. This large eye-catching form is a great accent to any floral bouquet.