Skip to content

From Extrusion to Finished Product - Feeling the Journey

We make things and wait. We start the process of our own design. A process that will generate a completed ceramic work. Sometimes, magically, completed without cracks and in a manner that resembled something that you envisioned in the beginning.

There is a lot of waiting that happens during the process of creating a finished ceramic work. Waiting for inspiration, for the clay to harden or soften, for things to dry, for things to fire and cool. You start a process that usually takes months, sometimes years to complete.

We started the process for Buoys, Links, and Doodle Mobile this January. There were notes, tests, calculations, and decisions made based on the limitations of the clay and our desired outcome.

For example, we chose to fire the Buoys and Doodle Mobile to a rich glossy color that accentuated shapes and design elements. We used the white stoneware clay shapes that we created as a base for color.

For Links we chose to integrate the rich brown color of the stoneware clay body as a direct element of the earth. This rich color is seen on the fired edges of each link.

When complete our finished work can be purchased as is for a home or used as a starting point for a custom project. We hope that you are able to experience one of our completed works in your home. Because it's all about starting the process all over again and making another work of art!

J Schatz Process:  Notes are a starting point

Notes are a starting point. A place to build from and put thoughts to action.

J Schatz Process:  Clay scraps are rolled out on the slab table to become one and then are formed into shapes.

Clay scraps are rolled out on the slab table to become one and then are formed into shapes.

J Schatz Process: Shapes are cut on the slab table, extrusions are made and assembled together.

Shapes are cut on the slab table, extrusions are made and assembled together.

J Schatz Process: Measurements are made for thickness and adjusted for each piece.

Measurements are made for thickness and adjusted for each piece. 

J Schatz Process: Red Brown Clay is rolled out for Links. The clay stains everything and must be kept away from the white stoneware clay bodies.

Red Brown Clay is rolled out for Links. The clay stains everything and must be kept away from the white stoneware clay bodies.

J Schatz Process: Links are cut from the clay.

Links are cut from the clay.

J Schatz Process: The Links are carefully transferred to drying boards. It takes 1-2 weeks to dry.

The Links are carefully transferred to drying boards. It takes 1-2 weeks to dry.

J Schatz Process: Extrusions are made and pressed on the rolling table from white stoneware for the Doodle Mobile.

Extrusions are made and pressed on the rolling table from white stoneware for the Doodle Mobile.

White stoneware clay is used for the Buoys and the initial shapes must dry 1-2 weeks before we make our markings.

White stoneware clay is used for the Buoys and the initial shapes must dry 1-2 weeks before we make our markings.

J Schatz Process: Bisque Links are removed from the kiln after firing. They must now be glazed and refined.

Bisqued Links are removed from the kiln after firing. They must now be glazed and refined.

J Schatz Process: Links and Doodle Mobile parts are glazed pink and ready to be fired.

Links and Doodle Mobile parts are glazed pink and ready to be fired.

J Schatz Process: Buoys in the glazing room on their stands that are designed to hold the piece without marks. 4-7 coats of glaze is applied.

Buoys in the glazing room on their stands that are designed to hold the piece without marks. 4-7 coats of glaze is applied.

J Schatz Process: Doodle Mobile parts are glazed flat, then flipped to glaze the other side.

Doodle Mobile parts are glazed flat, then flipped to glaze the other side.

J Schatz Process: Link connections are tested.

Link connections are tested.

J Schatz Process: Buoys after they have just been removed from the a glaze firing.

Buoys after they have just been removed from the a glaze firing.

J Schatz Process: Buoy and Link parts are accumulate as we make shapes, bisque fire them and glaze them for the final assembly.

Buoy, Link, and Doodle Mobile parts accumulate as we make shapes, bisque fire, glaze, glaze fire, and then assemble them for the final completed work.

J Schatz Process: The completed work Links

The completed work: Links 

J Schatz Process: The completed work Buoys

The completed work: Buoys

J Schatz Process: the completed work Doodle Mobile

The completed work Doodle Mobile