rock glazing & Clay

My experience attending a rock glazing Intensive course with Janeen Page deeply influenced my approach to souRcing materials. Since taking this course, I’ve experimented with copper shavings, pumice collected during the construction of a retaining wall, and small amounts of wild clay gathered under guidance at Driving Creek.

These experiences have shaped my thinking around responsible sourcing and the principles of kaitiakitanga. I prioritise recycling and reusing materials over collecting from the environment. Much of my glaze library comes from donated New Zealand materials passed on by retired potters and the community studio where I teach. Here i have been able to freely experiment with matERials that would otherwise be left untouched.

My processing methods are intentionally simple. I break materials down using a mortar and pestle, but I don’t sieve them. I prefer the unpredictability that comes from leaving particles at different sizes. While this approach limits consistency and some of the technical “successes” expected in glaze making, I find creativity within THE VARIATION.