The Art of the Process: Inside My Pottery Studio
Making pottery isn't just about the finished mug. It’s in the messy, repetitive, and deeply grounding work that happens long before the kiln fires. Here is a look at what actually goes on behind the scenes at my studio.
Did you know that clay can be recycled indefinitely before it's fired? Reclaiming old, dry clay is a fundamental and sustainable part of my studio practice.
Pottery involves a surprising amount of physical labor. This is me wedging over six kilograms of stoneware clay to prepare it for a weekend workshop.
Not everything about pottery is pretty, but it's all part of the process. This is the sound of clay reclaiming, as air bubbles escape and the dry pieces begin their journey back to usable clay.
Before the beauty, there's the process. This is a look at the slow, repetitive, and essential work of waxing and glazing pieces before they go into the kiln for their final transformation.
Behind every smooth curve is a cloud of dust. Sanding bone-dry clay is a tedious but crucial step that social media often skips, but it's what gives handmade ceramics their refined finish.
Studio maintenance is a meditative practice for me. Keeping my tools and space clean, especially during the monsoons, is essential for both safety and respecting the craft.
Glazing day is always one of my favorites. There's an excitement in mixing colors and waiting with bated breath to see how the kiln gods will treat the pieces.
A little small business humor. The art is always art-ing, but sometimes the reach isn't reach-ing. Your support for local artists makes all the difference.
I believe that art happens in the making. The process of creation is its own reward, and the finished artworks are just the beautiful remnants of that creative act.
I always plan my glazing, but I also allow myself to go with the flow. Sometimes the best results come from veering away from the original design and letting the piece guide you.
About Behind the Scenes at the Studio
You won't find a potter’s wheel here. Instead, we focus entirely on handbuilding—using techniques like pinching, coiling, and slab work. This approach requires patience and a fair bit of muscle, which is why you see me wedging heavy stoneware clay or sanding bone-dry pieces. Reclaiming old clay is a huge part of my daily practice, not just to reduce waste, but because it connects me back to the raw material. Every step I take in the studio is part of the experience, and it is exactly what you will be doing when you join a session.
Beyond the Finished Piece
Many people think pottery is just about shaping a bowl and putting it in an oven. The reality is much slower and a bit dustier. Before a single piece enters the kiln, it goes through days of preparation, trimming, and careful surface work.
The Reality of Reclaiming
I believe in sustainability, which is why you will often see me reclaiming clay. Dry scraps are broken down, soaked, and wedged back into a workable state. This is not just studio maintenance—it is a lesson in patience. If you have ever been curious about why your hands get so messy, it is because clay is a living, breathing material that demands your full attention.
The Labor of Love
Sanding bone-dry clay is one of those invisible steps that social media often skips, but it is crucial for a refined finish. It involves a lot of dust and careful breathing, and it is part of why I keep my space in Powai meticulously clean. Managing silica dust is a non-negotiable part of respecting the craft and keeping my students safe.
Glazing and The Kiln
When we reach the glazing stage, the work changes. It becomes about chemistry and anticipation. Whether we are doing sgraffito, where we scratch designs into the clay, or simple dipping, waiting for the kiln gods to reveal the final piece is a thrill that never gets old.
My workshops are designed to show you this entire lifecycle. You are not just making a cup; you are learning to respect the earth, the work, and the transformation that happens between the two.
Studio Gariffiti
Hi, I’m Garima. I started this studio to prove that you don’t need a spinning wheel to make something meaningful. My space is for the messy, the quiet, and the beginners who want to trade screen time for clay time. I’m here to guide you through the process, not just the result.
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