Commissions & Bespoke Orders

I happily welcome commissions! Whether you're after a special mug, a matching set, or a meaningful gift, I’d love to hear your ideas.

Just keep in mind that pottery moves at its own pace — clay time, not clock time. Especially here in Ōhaeawai, where damp winter weather can slow things down considerably. Right now, I’m waiting on a large bowl commission that’s taken four weeks to dry and still isn’t ready for its bisque fire!

A little note on the process: A piece begins in the wet stage — freshly thrown on the wheel or handbuilt — soft, pliable, and full of potential. From there, it slowly firms up to the leather-hard stage. This is when I trim the base, carve details, or attach handles. Then it dries completely to the bone-dry stage, which can take weeks (or even months) in humid or rainy weather. At this point, it’s extremely fragile and ready for its first firing.

The first firing is called the bisque. It’s a lower-temperature firing that hardens the clay into a porous ceramic, ready to absorb glaze. Then I glaze the piece and fire it again at cone 6, a much higher temperature that melts the glaze into a glassy finish and vitrifies the clay, making it strong, functional, and safe for everyday use.

It’s a slow, magical transformation, but not without surprises. Glazes can flow unpredictably, colours may shift, and occasionally my kiln (Roberta) has a mind of her own! That’s the beauty of handmade pottery: no two pieces are ever exactly alike, and each one takes time to get just right.

Commissions are also a little pricier than ready-made pieces, as they carry extra time and risk. I usually make backup versions in case of cracking, warping, or glaze issues—just to make sure I can deliver something beautiful and long-lasting.

If you’ve got something in mind, feel free to reach out: I’d love to chat and create something special just for you. I’ll always give you my best estimate on timeframes (usually at least 4–6 weeks), and in some cases, I can fast-track pieces for special events.