The Pottery
Walsall Studio Ceramics was formed by David Jones in
1986 with the aide of the Princes Youth Business Trust, after a short period he was joined by Ian Smith and this partnership lasted for 12 years in which time they
built a good reputation for their work throughout the bonsai world not just in Britain
but Europe and the rest of the World. After Ian left to pursue a career in teaching
David Worked alone up until 2005 when he was joined by Mark Jones a
pattern/model maker by trade now turned potter. Together with the added talent
of Ken Jones (David's father) they continue to improve and refine the
pots as well as increase the range.
Pot Making Methods
We use many methods of producing our pots, the simplest of which is
slip cast. We mix our slip clay to our own recipe which
has been developed and improved over many years, this slip is then poured
into a plaster mould this is then left
depending on its size between 1 and 6 hours for the walls of the pot to
reach the desired thickness the excess slip is then poured off and the pot
left to dry until leather hard, then it is ready for trimming and have any
additional work done, the pots are then left to dry out fully before fettling
and sponging.
Our hand made pots are made in a variety of ways, our standard range are
coiled or slabed into a plaster mould, this supports the soft clay
in the basic shape until leather hard, once at this stage it is taken out
of the mould and the pot is then finished to the desired design and
surface finish.
Hand made round pots up to 35cm Ø are generally thrown by Ken and finished
by Mark or David. Commissioned pots are freehand built either by coiling
or slab building depending on the shape and size.
Glazing And Firing
Once the pots are fully dry this can take up to 4 weeks depending on
the
size of the pot and atmospheric conditions, they are biscuit fired
in an electric kiln once cool the pots have there various finishes applied, this can be oxides
brushed, sponged or sprayed on or glazed by dipping or brushing and in
most cases a
combination of oxide and then glaze over the top.
The pots are then loaded into the Gas kiln and fired to 1260ºC. All our
glazes are made on site to our own recipe and this in conjunction with the
reduction firing in the gas kiln helps to enhance the variety of colour
and textured finishes.
Glazing oval
pots Glazed pots awaiting firing |
