🏺 My work as a ceramic artist: every step of the creative process

ceramic artist observing handmade pieces in studio

If I had to sum up my job in one sentence:

I transform clay into useful and beautiful objects — by hand — through a process that is both ancestral and deeply personal.

My role is to let the material speak… without forcing it.

Here’s what a typical day in my life as a ceramic artist really looks like.

✨ The main steps of my ceramic process

1. Preparing the clay

Before shaping anything, I start by preparing the clay.

I knead it, check its moisture, and remove any air bubbles(because if I don’t… it can literally explode in the kiln).

It’s a bit like kneading a very demanding bread dough.

This step might seem simple, but it’s essential.

Good clay preparation is the foundation of every successful handmade ceramic piece.

ceramic artist hands shaping clay before creating piece

2. Shaping the pieces

This is where things truly begin.

Depending on the piece, I use different ceramic techniques:

• Wheel throwing: for round, symmetrical forms. It’s fluid, almost hypnotic.

• Handbuilding (slab or pinch): for more organic, sculptural shapes. Here, I play with thickness, folds and asymmetry.

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Every piece is handmade, one by one.

And each one has its own personality.

3. Drying

Once shaped, the piece needs to dry — slowly.

Too fast? It cracks.

Too uneven? It warps.

This stage requires patience… and sometimes a little bit of hope.

Drying is a quiet but crucial part of the ceramic process.

handmade ceramic pieces drying slowly on studio shelves

4. First firing (bisque firing)

Once fully dry, the piece goes into the kiln for its first firing, usually between 980°C and 1020°C, depending on the clay.

This is called bisque firing.

The clay becomes hard, porous, and ready to absorb glaze.

5. Glazing

This is where the suspense begins.

Glaze is like a liquid glass that I apply to the surface of each piece.

Depending on the technique — dipping, brushing, spraying — the result can vary completely.

And sometimes… it surprises me.

A light blue can turn into a speckled cream.

A smooth finish can become textured.

That’s part of the beauty of handmade ceramics.

6. Second firing (glaze firing)

The piece goes back into the kiln, this time at a higher temperature(between 1000°C and 1300°C, depending on the clay).

And this is where the magic happens.

The glaze melts, fuses with the clay, and reveals its final color and texture.

Every time I open the kiln, it feels a bit like opening a gift.

glazed ceramic pieces with glossy finish after kiln firing

💭 But in reality, my daily life also looks like this…

Being a ceramic artist is not just about shaping clay.

It’s also about:

• sketching ideas and testing new forms

• cleaning (constantly — clay dust gets everywhere)

• packing orders with care, tissue paper and bubble wrap

• sharing my work on Instagram and replying to your messages

• fixing mistakes… or turning them into something new

❤️ Why I chose this work

Because I can create meaning with my hands.

Because a bowl, a plate, or a cup can become part of someone’s daily life.

Because everyday objects can carry emotion.

And most of all…

because imperfection makes me happy.

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