the ceramic process
At Pip n Squeek we have three main methods of creating pottery however, what is the difference? and why do the ceramic products take so long to ship?
step one| create
hand building
Hand building clay is exactly the name, it is hand building ceramic pieces from clay using no extra or mechanical tools. It is where you use your hands and basic tools to sculpt and build pretty much anything. There are three main ways to hand build known as pinching, coiling and slab construction. We use some hand building techniques to finish off our products.
wheel throwing
A technique that often needs a fair bit of practice, throwing on the potter’s wheel, it’s a much more efficient method once mastered. All of our Furry Friend bowls were first designed by Brit on a pottery wheel, they have since been created into slip casting moulds to allow Stacey to be involved in the process too.
slip casting
A technique that provides the opportunity for consistency, slip casting is a technique we use to be able to create our bowls all the same. In this method, a liquid clay known as slip is poured into a plaster mould (that Brit created) and allowed the bowl to form a layer on the inside walls of the mould.
step two| bone dry
Once completed all of the pieces must be completely dry before it can be fired in the kiln. Depending on the temperature and the humidity at the time, this can often take up to two weeks.
This step is the most important. If the piece isn’t completely dry, it can crack or even explode in the kiln. This would then mean the piece would have to be re-made from scratch. The ultimate point of dry is called 'bone dry'.
step three| bisque
Ceramics go through two firings, the first firing is called a bisque firing, and it can take up to four whole days from start to finish.
During a bisque firing, the piece is only half fired, this firing process essentially removes the water to get it ready to take on the glaze.
step four| glaze
After the piece has been bisque fired, it’s ready to be glazed. Glaze is essentially like liquid glass, it is a recipe of chemicals that reacts to heat to create a glass like surface. This protects the ceramic product so it can be used and repel water and bacteria. All of our glazes at Pip n Squeek are food safe and non-toxic.
step five| fire
Once the piece has been glazed, it will be loaded into the kiln again for the second of two firings.
The glaze firing is also a four day process. However, the glaze firing goes to a much higher temperature than the bisque. At Pip n Squeek, we fire to 1280°C.
During this firing, the clay will 'vitrify' which is when the ceramic material turns into a stone-like non-porous state using heat. It will become its most durable and reach its strongest point which will help it last for many years to come.
step six| shipped
Once this entire process is complete we ship off to you! We will try to keep all orders at the same step throughout the month which is why you will receive an email letting you know your ceramic product will be shipped at the start of the following month (if ordered before the 20th day of the month).