Our Process
The Process
The focus of Sunflower Ceramic Studio is to make functional ceramic pieces that will be a good addition to your home.
Clay that has been weighed, wedged, and ready to throw on the wheel.
Since the ceramic process can take weeks or even months to completion, Maria spends a lot of time sketching in order to make ideas into prototypes. When it is time to start working in the studio, the clay is measured out into the appropriate weights and wedged to remove air bubbles. The pieces are then thrown and trimmed on the pottery wheel.
The excess clay at the bottom of the bowl is trimmed away.
When the pieces are bone white, they are ready to be fired in the kiln. Finished ceramic pieces need to be fired in a kiln twice. The first firing, also known as the bisque firing, removes the water inside the clay. It also makes the clay porous and ready to absorb glaze. The second firing, also known as the glaze firing, fuses the glaze to the clay body. Glazes are used to add color to finished ceramic pieces, and they also make pieces waterproof and food safe.
Small bowls that are in the greenware stage. They are ready for a bisque firing.
With a strong attention to detail, Maria Hernandez is able to create ceramic pieces that have elegant forms and high craftsmanship. The entire process of making one piece from start to finish can take four to six weeks.