Each bowl, plate, tea pot, clock and vase is formed one at a time by hand. By pinching a ball of clay into shape or cutting thin slabs of clay and assembling assorted shapes, I can create unlimited designs.

After several days of drying, the piece is prepared for the first firing. Using a wet sponge I wipe the entire surface of the piece removing any unintentional rough surfaces. It is now time to place the work into the kiln and fire to 1900 degrees which will take approximately thirty hours to complete the cycle. This step will allow organic matter to burn out of the clay which otherwise can cause glaze defects. Additionally, it hardens the pieces enough so that it can be more easily handled during the glazing process.

Depending on the effect I want to create the piece is dipped into a white glaze bath. Then, using paint brushes, bright pastel glazes are applied over the white surface much like painting images on a canvas. This is a majolica technique. An alternative method is to use bright pastel glazes and underglaze pencils applied directly to the fired piece. It is then returned to the kiln for the final firing to an even higher temperature of 2165 degrees. This cycle takes about twenty-four hours.

With great expectations I open the kiln to hopefully find perfection in every piece. Without the use of molds, each one of the face planters and stemware is sculpted one at a time creating a personality of its own. The outside surface has been stained, eyes are drawn and the lips, cheeks and other embellishments are hand painted with glaze then fired to a high temperature creating a matt stone like appearance with glossy interior and details.

My hope is that each Teyro creation brings you as much delight as I have had in creating them.