Pit-fired clay vessels.

The special shapes, surface texture and firing of these pots are inspired by and learned from the traditions of the Native Americans of the Southwest. The clay is not glazed but instead has been carefully hand burnished with a smooth stone at three different times while the clay is damp and once more after it is dry. The pot is then fired in an open pit with dry cow dung, seaweed and kindling. The hand burnishing gives the pot the beautiful surface polish and the firing gives the variegated colors. Each pot is a meeting of clay and fire on a particular day with variated environmental conditions. Because these exact conditions do not repeat, no two pieces are exactly alike. Since these pots are not glazed (the colors and polish are now part of the clay itself) they are not waterproof. A glass liner may be inserted to hold water for flowers.