Siobhain Steele - Contemporary Irish Ceramics and Pottery - Handmade in Cork

Drawn to the natural Irish landscape, my ceramic designs are influenced by the simplicity tranquility and beauty surrounding my Cork based studio. Each ceramic piece is designed and handcrafted with care evoking a sense of simplicity, serenity and connection.

Over a two week period each piece will pass through my hands many times before it is ready to be gifted by you. Below is a brief overview of the process involved in making a single ceramic piece from beginning to end.

STEP 1 - Mixing

I use liquid clay called slip to make my ceramics, a method called slip casting which has been used around the world for many centuries. I make large batches of slip and transfer to jugs for ease of pouring, the slip is stirred to the correct consistency ready for pouring into the plaster molds.

Irish Ceramic Artist Siobhain Steele — STEP 2

POURING

Step 2: Pouring

Once the slip has been carefully poured into the plaster mold, I leave it for a number of minutes depending on the size and shape of the object. The slip is then emptied by turning the mold upside down and allowing the slip to drain. It’s then left to dry overnight.

Irish Ceramic Gifts — STEP 3

REMOVING THE MOLD

Step 3: Removing the Mold

Once the slip has dried, usually overnight, I can remove the piece carefully as it is still very delicate at this stage and place it on a wooden board ready for fettling.

Step 4: Fettling

Using a number of tools and sponges, I remove any roughness and sculpt the piece to the shape I’m looking for. This takes time and is one of my favourite steps in the process. Because it is hand-made, each piece will be unique with slight differences.

Step 5: Branding

I etch my initials SSC (Siobhain Steele Ceramics) into each piece at this stage before the piece is placed in the kiln for its first firing to 1000 Degrees Centigrade.

Step 6: First Kiln Firing

All the work is placed carefully into the kiln ready for the first firing known as bisque firing. The work can be stacked carefully and placed on shelves separated by supports, which allows me to optimise every inch of space available and then set the Kiln to fire overnight ;)

Step 7: Decorating & Glazing

After the pieces are bisque fired, they are strong with a chalky feel and are now ready to be hand painted, using under glaze paints. Once I’m happy with the designs, each piece is dipped in glaze making sure to clean back the base of the piece that will touch the kiln shelf. The kiln is fired to between 1,150 and 1,280 Degrees Centigrade depending on the project. Once the desired temperature is reached the Kiln will cool down over the next 24-48 hours to under 50 degrees centigrade before I open the Kiln and reveal a successful firing ;)

Step 8: Finishing Touches

After a two week period of casting, fettling, hand painting plus two kiln firings, the work is now ready to be sanded and finished. Each piece passes through my hands many times before it is finally ready for gifting ;)

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