Crafting the Perfect Bowl: The Artisan's Journey from Concept to Creation

As an artisan-maker, every piece I create requires creativity, skill, and dedication. This autumn, for example, I’m thrilled to introduce a trio of new small bowls designed with oriental cuisine in mind — the larger size perfect for a serving of rice, the smaller for dipping sauces. Although they might seem like simple additions, these bowls represent three intense months of design and development to ensure they are exactly as I want them to be.

The Design Process: From Inspiration to Prototype

Designing these bowls begins with an idea which I translate into drawings before making prototypes. I imagine how versatile they will be in the home, whether serving a scoop of ice-cream, pistachios with drinks, or even holding jewellery on a bedside table. The joy and challenge of my craft lies in balancing design with functionality, ensuring each piece is both beautiful and useful.

Achieving Variety in Unity

I strive for a range of designs that belong to a cohesive family yet maintain distinct identities. This new trio of bowls, unified by size, proportion, and glaze, showcases this philosophy. Each bowl features unique alterations to its original wheel-thrown form: one with a squared rim, another with a broad spiral indentation, and the third with six vertical indentations. This variety not only intrigues me but also, I hope, appeals to those who use them.

Perfecting the Craft: From Wheel to Kiln

Once I’ve achieved a shape that I’m satisfied with, I’m careful to note its precise dimensions and the weight of clay used. Then I make the new design repeatedly until I achieve consistency. Experimenting with the right moment to alter the shape—whether squaring the rim or carving indentations—is crucial. Each decorative technique must be perfected to ensure repeatability.

After making, firing, glazing, and re-firing the trial pieces, it's time for appraisal. Allowing for the approximate 12% shrinkage during glaze-firing, the final size might differ from my initial aim. Discussions with friends and ongoing adjustments refine the design further, often necessitating remaking the pieces to achieve the desired result.

The Final Reveal

From the initial throw to the finished piece, the journey takes at least a month, often much longer. After this development period, the final pieces will either wheel-thrown by me or slip-cast by my trusted partner company who ensure each bowl meets my high standards.

Now, after this long incubation period, I'm excited to showcase these new bowls at Top Drawer, the design-led trade fair at London Olympia, next month.  Stay tuned for more insights into my creative processes.