How long have you been making pottery?
I started taking group classes in 1983 and private lessons in 1996. I celebrate 40 years behind the wheel in 2023!
Can you make something special for me?
Most likely. It’s best to provide photos and dimensions. Check out my gallery page for available glaze (color) combinations
Can I put pottery in the microwave, dishwasher or oven?
Absolutely, Each piece has been fired at over 2,000 degrees, so very safe.
Is this plate safe to eat from?
Yes, I do not use any lead based glazes in my pottery.
How long does it take to make a piece?
The process is long, see next question. Because I’m not producing regularly, the lead time is generally 10-14 weeks. My kiln holds around 50-60 pieces, depending on sizes, so I need to fill the kiln with each firing.
What is the process of making a piece?
There are several steps to the finished product. Wedging, like kneading dough, is the first step in prepping the clay. I shape into consistent balls of clay to loosely “throw” the same size pieces. I straddle my spinning wheel and throw several pieces at one sitting. After drying to a leather-hard stage, pots can be shaped even more with special trimming tools. Handles to a mug, knobs to a jar, or feet to a bowl get added at this stage. Once completely dry (greenware), they get loaded into my kiln for their first firing at 1850 degrees. After the kiln is cooled, every piece gets washed, and waxed! Applying glazes is the final stage. All pots go back in the kiln and fired to 2285 degrees! After 12 hours of firing and 24 hours of cooling, it’s time to open the kiln to see the results!
Where does the clay come from?
Clay is a natural product dug from the earth, which has decomposed from rock within the earth’s crust for millions of years. Pottery clay is mined from the Earth and ground into a powder. This powder is combined with other water and other ingredients to form what’s called the clay body. I buy it from New England based stores after it’s been refined.
Where else to you sell?
You can visit my North Hampton studio at any arranged time. Check out my “Shows’ page for current shops and shows.
I don’t live near you, can you ship to me?
Yes! I have a full supply of recycled bubble wrap and boxes and wrap each piece very carefully to avoid breakage.
Do I give classes?
I have a second wheel in my studio and can give private lessons to one student at a time.
What kind of clay do you use?
I primarily use white stoneware and speckled stoneware at Lori Martone Pottery. There are only two other types of clay: porcelain and earthenware.