Pottery Process

OUR POTTERY PROCESS

Mountain Arts Pottery is a working production pottery studio based in Bozeman, Montana. 

We use a high fire stoneware clay that is 100% lead free, and food safe for use in the dishwasher and microwave.

We bring 1,000 to 2,000 pounds of clay into the studio at a time!

The potters begin by running the clay through our pug mill (built 30 years ago!) which brings the clay to a workable consistency. The pug mill also allows us to reclaim the wasted clay that has been trimmed off of the previous pieces. Potters will extract clay from the pug mill, measure it, and cut it to length according to the piece that will get thrown. Now we begin the throwing process!

In our studio, we developed a laser unit that is mounted above the pottery wheel.The laser, which works as a measuring device, allows the potter to size each piece without stopping the wheel. This way, the potter is better equipped to produce pieces of the same size and consistency. (We enjoy some variation within each piece, because it is individually thrown by any of several potters). 

After the pieces have been thrown, they are transferred to a shelf where they air dry until “leather hard”. This means the pieces still have moisture in them, but are dry enough to handle without becoming misshapen. Now, the potter trims the piece to remove excess clay and smooth the bottom. At this time, handles and medallions are attached and any decorative pieces are hand-etched.

Next, the pieces are loaded into the kiln for the first of two firings. This first firing is called the “bisque” firing. Temperatures reach 1,500 degrees F and the raw clay is transformed into porous rock. The pottery is now referred to as ‘bisque ware’.

Now, the bisque ware is ready for glazing! Because we want our pottery to be both functional and beautiful, we work to create glaze formulas that combine vibrancy and durability. 

Potters will mix gallons of glazing components with water before the glazes are applied entirely by hand. Then, the bottom of each pot is wiped clean so that it does not adhere to the kiln shelves. 

Pieces are now ready for the second firing, called the “high fire” firing. The high fire kiln is loaded and brought to 2,300 degrees F, resulting in the soft rock composition of the bisque ware metamorphosing into a hard rock composition. In addition, the chemical make up of the glazes transforms to the vibrant colors of the finished stoneware pottery. 

There are many steps in the handmade stoneware pottery process, and the result is a beautiful, functional work of art!

We hope you enjoy using our pottery as much as we enjoy hand crafting it.