Vapor

One slight imperfection. An air pocket hiding in one of the walls. And the surrounding clay is just a little too damp.....a little too wet.......we were in a little bit of a rush to get this Giant Clam Shell Event Bowl out to a customer.

BANG!~

At some point over 212 degrees, the water vaporized and most of it escaped to the outside of the clay. But that one small imperfection. That one cavity of air. That home to a steam cauldron. Yes, that one hidden and small defect once exposed to the heat of transformation became exposed for the flaw that it was. And exploded.

Thankfully, the walls of the kiln made sure no one was injured by this explosion. By exposing the defect, preventing a mess all over the studio, and by protecting anyone from getting hurt by the explosion, I guess you could say that the kiln is the clay's best friend, even while it applies the heat!

Greenware

Greenware seems like an eco-friendly term, doesn't it?  With a view of the heavily forested Cascade Mountain range out our front door, it seems like the right place to have "green"ware in our studio, doesn't it?

Really, all it means is that the porcelain plate used by the elegant restaurant where you most recently dined shares a common journey from its inception with our porcelain serveware and plates......they were all poured (or pressed) at some point and began drying out.  

They lost about 3% of their size when the water evaporated out of their pores.  And the lump of clay that remains is "green"....it is not fired....it is barely held together by just the least of physical attraction.   A mere jolt and it fractures.  A sideways look at it and it crumbles.  

Fragile.

But after the test of the fires, it comes through with a chemical and physical bond.   Vitrified and joined nearly in the same way as glass.  An amazing transformation with another 10% smaller in size, but strong and durable and lightweight.......and beautiful!

A remarkable journey from Greenware to Tableware.   The humble porcelain plate may have found a new admirer after learning this.......

Aqua Blush

A cosmopolitan statement!

Our initial offering in our Coastal Collection included a striking and dramatic Aqua Blush color way that has a high transparency and depth which accentuates all the shell's natural forms.

This color way was especially popular with Coastal Galleries and Aquarium Gift Shops including the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago as well as the Baltimore and Seattle Aquariums.

This Aqua Blush was first offered on our initial product launch in January 2008.

If you're looking for a dramatic splash of color on your tabletop expression, consider these unique Shell forms in this bold color.