The Process
Wedge, Turn, and Burn
Each ceramic piece undergoes a transformation spanning weeks or months. This is a practice rooted in patience, where rushing is impossible and every stage demands presence.
Clay Selection & Preparation
Every piece begins with the careful selection of clay. Brett works with stoneware, porcelain, and terracotta—some sourced from local California deposits, others from specialty suppliers. The clay is wedged by hand, a meditative process that removes air bubbles and aligns particles for optimal workability.
Forming
Whether thrown on the wheel or hand-built through coiling and slab construction, the forming stage is where intuition meets technique. Brett approaches each piece without rigid sketches, allowing the clay to guide the emerging form—much like the ocean shapes the coastline.
Refining & Trimming
Once leather-hard, pieces are refined through trimming, carving, and surface treatment. This stage reveals the final silhouette and establishes the relationship between form and function. Brett's signature organic edges and subtle surface textures emerge during this patient refinement.
First Firing (Bisque)
The bisque firing transforms fragile greenware into durable ceramic. Pieces are loaded carefully into the kiln, with temperatures rising slowly over 10-12 hours to 1800°F (982°C). This critical firing drives out all moisture and creates a porous surface ready to accept glaze.
Glazing
Brett mixes all glazes in-house, developing proprietary formulas over years of experimentation. Many incorporate materials from the California landscape—ash from native plants, minerals from local deposits. Glazes are applied through dipping, pouring, or brush application.
Final Firing
The final firing is where transformation becomes permanent. For stoneware, temperatures reach 2300°F (1260°C), vitrifying the clay and melting glazes into their final states. Brett's wood-fired pieces undergo an even longer journey—up to five days of continuous firing, creating natural surface effects.
The Investment of Time
Typical Creation Timeline
Total creation time for a single piece
2-6 weeks minimum
Slow Craft,
California Style
In an age of instant everything, Brett's practice stands as a quiet counterpoint. The studio operates without production quotas or seasonal collections.
Each piece emerges in its own time, shaped by intuition and the rhythms of the California coast. The result is ceramics that carry the weight of genuine care—objects made for a lifetime.
100%
Handcrafted
Local
Materials
Begin Your Journey
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Experience the journey from raw earth to refined art with a piece made especially for you.