The Potter's Process: Behind the Scenes of Handbuilt Ceramics
This is the quiet, physical work behind my pottery. From reclaiming raw clay to the patient waiting game of the kiln, I am sharing the messy steps that turn earth into functional art.
Before the beauty, there's the process. This video shows the repetitive, meditative steps of waxing, dipping, and wiping pieces before they are glaze fired. This is where the transformation from lifeless bisque to vibrant ceramic begins.
Behind every smooth, finished piece is a cloud of dust. Sanding bone-dry clay is a tedious but crucial step to refine the form before its first firing. It's one of the many invisible steps that define handmade quality.
Pottery involves a surprising amount of physical labor. This is me wedging over six kilograms of stoneware clay, preparing it for a weekend workshop. This process removes air bubbles and makes the clay consistent to work with.
The satisfying ASMR of reclaiming clay. Dry, leftover scraps are soaked in water, breaking down to be wedged and reused. Nothing is wasted in the studio; the clay is always returned to a workable state.
The best moment for any potter: opening the kiln after a glaze firing. It's always a delight to see how the colors have melted and transformed, revealing the final, vibrant pieces.
Glazing day is always one of my favorites. The excitement of trying new glaze combinations and the thrill of waiting for the results never gets old. Here I'm loading a small batch of student work and test pieces into the kiln.
Keeping the studio and tools clean is a meditative process in itself. Especially during the Mumbai monsoons, it's essential to clean everything thoroughly to prevent mold and keep the workspace healthy and breathable.
When you're working on something creative, it's important to allow yourself to go with the flow. Glazing day often takes longer than planned as I experiment with new ideas and veer away from my original palettes.
A little reminder to myself that in the world of social media, everything can be content. From a freshly made goblet to the satisfying process of carving through underglaze, there's art in every step.
A quick look at some freshly fired pieces straight from the kiln. You can see a small textured jar and a whimsical crocodile figurine, both transformed by the heat and glaze.
About The Potter's Process
When you see a finished mug, you are seeing only the final stage of a long, often messy journey. I spend hours hand-pinching and slab-rolling each form, carefully managing the clay’s moisture to handle Mumbai’s humidity. These finger marks and slight asymmetries are not flaws; they are the intentional remnants of a process that relies on hands rather than machines.
My process is rarely glamorous, but it is always honest. Pottery is defined by the steps that often go unseen, and my studio practice is built around honoring that labor.
The Reality of Clay
Nothing is wasted in my studio. Dry scraps are soaked, broken down, and re-wedged back into workable material. This reclamation process is physically demanding and essential to sustainability. It requires significant muscle work, which is why I often break my tasks into smaller, manageable chunks throughout the week to maintain consistency.
The Invisible Prep
Sanding bone-dry clay is perhaps the most overlooked part of the craft. Before a piece ever touches glaze, I spend time sanding the edges and surfaces. It is tedious and creates a lot of dust, but it is the only way to refine the form. This is where I ensure the clay is smooth enough for daily use.
The Kiln Gamble
The kiln is the final judge. I double-fire every piece to ensure structural integrity, but the heat remains unpredictable. When I open the kiln after a glaze firing, it is always a mix of nerves and excitement. Sometimes the glazes melt perfectly, and sometimes the kiln offers a surprise. This inherent risk is part of what makes handmade ceramics truly unique; there is no automation, only the slow, intentional translation of an idea into a tangible object.
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