Ali is a hand builder who works with two types of clay - white earthstone and red earthenware

Alternate clay layers are stacked together and then stretched out to produce thin elongated strata-like strips. These are then applied to a variety of formers and moulds to create quite complex interlocking surfaces and structures. Ali’s formers and moulds include bespoke thrown cylinders, her own coil pots, and even atmospheric weather balloons!

Following an initial bisque firing, each piece is glazed using a minimum of four different glazes applied by pouring, dipping and brushing. The volcanic lava effect is created using glazes containing silicon carbide. Once the glaze has been applied, each piece is fired in an electric kiln to 1280c. And this is where the alchemy happens. Sometimes unpredictable, always exciting!

These images will hopefully give you a flavour of the making process.