01 / Primary work

Puzzle Pots

One-off jugs and vases, thrown in red earthenware, coated in white slip and carved by hand.

01A finished puzzle jug

Finished amber-glazed puzzle jug inscribed Pragmatism must prevail.

Fired and glazed

Words made permanent.

The glaze deepens the red clay to brown and warms the white slip to amber. Lettering, flowers and openings travel around the whole form; there is no single front.

Finished side of the puzzle jug inscribed Good enough is still good. — CUSTOM MESSAGES

Finished floral panel carved around the body of the puzzle jug. — UNIQUE SCRATCHING

Reverse view of the finished puzzle jug showing its decorated handle and floral carving. — INTRICATE DESIGN FLOW

Close view of the finished jug's pierced neck, rim spouts and handle. — Openings, spouts and rim

02Before the kiln

Unglazed puzzle jug carrying the words I'm half crazy all for the love of you. — Slipped, carved and waiting to be fired

Unglazed sgraffito vase with a sun disc and poppies. — HAND CARVED AND UNIQUE

Unglazed puzzle jug inscribed with a line about sweet peas. — Words cut through white slip

Unglazed puzzle jug inscribed Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer do. — Lettering carried around the form

03The hand in the surface

Thrown, slipped, cut.

The pots begin on the wheel. White liquid clay is brushed over red earthenware, then every letter, flower and figure is scratched back through the surface by hand.

Close view of glazed flower and leaf sgraffito.

Poppy design carved through white slip before firing.

A bee carved among leaves before firing.

The hand-built pierced rim before firing.

Every one, one of one

No design is repeated, and commissioned words belong to their pot alone.

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