The '100 Explorations' Pottery Collection
A personal journey into clay. Foraged earth, experimental firing, and functional forms that carry the story of their own making.
The '100 Explorations' project was born from a desire to play and experiment without expectation. It's a record of what happens when you let the material lead and allow yourself to make again.
This lidded pot, with its raw, layered surface, is a piece to be held and lived with. It combines wheel-thrown and hand-built techniques, finished with natural materials and ash for a unique, earthy feel.
A functional set from the collection, made with foraged earth and shaped using the Kurinuki carving technique. These pieces are designed to make everyday moments feel less ordinary and more connected to a story.
This tumbler carries the memory of its making. The textured surface is a result of exploring different slips, oxides, and firing atmospheres, creating a piece that invites you to pause and feel its journey.
A glimpse into the process behind the '100 Explorations' project. From foraging earth in lava fields and lakebeds to testing glazes, each step was a memory in the making, transforming ordinary vessels into story-filled art.
This small plate showcases the beautiful, painterly effects achieved by layering glazes and natural materials. The colors and textures are a response to the earth I foraged, making it a small piece of a larger landscape.
The start of my '100 Experiments' project was a creative storm. I returned to the wheel with an urgency to explore, throwing over 130 test pieces to dive deep into surface treatments, form studies, and material play.
Rows of test pieces drying in the studio, each one a small canvas for my experiments. This project was my way of breaking from routine and rediscovering the joy of simply making and learning from the clay.
The first week of the project involved over 130 forms and 25 glaze tests. I wasn't chasing results, but a deeper understanding of my materials, documenting every surprise and question that unfolded.
Each piece in this collection is a conversation between forces: stoneware and porcelain clay, wheel and hand-built techniques, and the transformative power of different firing atmospheres like oxidation, wood, and saggar.
About The '100 Explorations' Project
The '100 Explorations' collection isn't about perfectly polished, uniform sets. It is the direct result of 130+ test forms where I let foraged earth—from Bali lava to local lakebeds—dictate the outcome. When you choose a piece from this project, you are bringing home a one-of-a-kind vessel defined by atmospheric firing marks and raw, honest textures.
This project was my response to the routine of studio life. I needed to break out of standard production and return to raw exploration. Over several weeks, I pushed the boundaries of my materials, experimenting with stoneware and porcelain to see how they reacted to different conditions.
The surface treatments tell the real story of this collection. By using atmospheric firing techniques—specifically wood, soda, and charcoal saggar—I surrendered control to the flame and smoke. These elements write their own unpredictable patterns on the clay, meaning no two pieces are identical.
Whether it is a tumbler with ash-kissed surfaces or a plate shaped by the Kurinuki carving technique, every object here is a conversation between fire, earth, and my own hands. I do not aim for mass reproducibility; I aim for pieces that carry a distinct memory of the kiln and the landscape. These are not just functional items for your home; they are small, quiet revolutions in clay that invite you to slow down and notice the details.
A Ware Studio
I’m Namrata, and I believe clay is a practice of slowing down. At A Ware Studio, I don't just teach or sell pottery; I share these pieces as a way to reconnect with the simple, tactile joy of making something real.
Looking for something specific?
Explore other categories of my work or booking details.
More from Ceramic Commissions & Collections by A Ware Studio