The art of kneading clay in a traditional manner is demonstrated in the photos on the right. Using a two-handed spiral movement, the clay is turned clock-wise, a hundred or more turns. Gradually all the air bubbles in the clay are completely squeezed out and the clay becomes temper in texture, ready for the process of forming.
Throwing clay on a wheel is the primary method of bringing a lump of clay into shape by a potter. At Doy Din Dang, all throwing is done by hand either on an electric wheel, kick-wheel or hand-driven wheel, depending on the sizes or shapes of piece. Each piece takes an exceptional amount of care and experience by a trained potter.
After a thorough air drying and a first firing called the “biscuit firing,” glazes are applied to the pieces. Glazes are a mixture of ashes from wood, rice stalk, leaves or any vegetation obtained locally in addition to various clay and stone. They are poured into the clay with the hands or by pouring, dipping, splashing or spraying it on to the form.
The final stage of firing is the most unnerving because many pieces are lost during this process. The pieces are fired for approximately 15 hours at a temperature of 1,250 to 1,280 degrees Celsius and even a small air bubble can ruin a piece. For those who are involved in pottery-making, the opening of a kiln is a moment of delight
or disappointment.
