Craftsmanship and traditional methods define the work at Frog Hill Pottery.
The studio is located in Brooktondale
at Frog Hill, a small community dedicated
to exploring and living a life of
ecological sustainability. The foot-powered
wheels and gas firing ensure that
each piece uniquely reflects the
spirit and intent of the potter.
The process of making a pot at Frog
hill begins with hand- wedged and aged
clay. Then the form is thrown on a foot
powered wheel. The slow speed results in a
more dynamic, less mechanical pot than
one produced on an electrical wheel.
After trimming, adding handles and
careful drying, the fragile pots are
carried on boards to the kiln. The
firing begins late at night and continues
until the next afternoon. The fire
must be carefully controlled, because
any sudden temperature change could cause
the 200 pot to crack!
The bisqued pots are now ready to glaze.
All Frog Hill glazes are formulated from
scratch from non-toxic materials. Lengthy
experimentation and precise measurement
of the dozens of mineral, clays, and oxides
is required to achieve the desired effect
which will form at precisely the right
temperature in the kiln.
Finally, the pots are ready for the glaze
fire. Again, it starts late a night. All
through the next day the fire is intensified
until 2380ƒF is reached. At this heat
goggles are needed to look at the white-hot
pots in the kiln. If the kiln is too hot,
or too cool, or takes too much or too little
time to reach temperature, the glazes will be
ruined. The kiln is sealed at the right moment,
and cannot be opened to see the results until
the next afternoon, two days after the firing
began.
The pots emerge from the fire transformed from
soft brown clay into colorful, durable stoneware.
The potter has anticipated the changes caused by
the firing and made the pieces subtly different
than the forms he is seeking. Still every firing
brings exciting surprises, and some losses. It is
a time for re-evaluation of artistic direction and
fresh inspiration for a new cycle of creating.