What is ClayWeave?

It all starts with rock.

Time and weather have worn it down into fine particles. These, sometimes sorted by water flows, form packets of fine particulates. The material that is clay.

Sometimes though, the rock fragments join with organics to build the soil that grows the plants that sustain and clothe us.

These two outcomes, both weathered from the Earth’s raw rock, find connection again in the works that are ClayWeave.

A master potter takes the clay, shapes it and with flame, hardens it again, back into a rock like form.

The plants, spun and twisted into fibres, are intricately woven into shapes and patterns by a talented weaver, and then attached to a ceramic base.

So, by a long journey, formed by both nature and human hands, form an artistic tribute to the beginnings of us all.

An artistic tribute to this ancient and magnificent thing called Earth.

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About Our Elegant and Unique Creations

ClayWeave is a fibre and ceramics modern mixed-media series exploring the combination of contrasts: the hard and soft, the smooth and textured, the wrought by fire and the woven by hand.

The ceramics form a base, an attachment point for the woven materials that spring from the rock-hard clay like a living form.

These works are a rewarding collaboration with Edith Schmidt, a pottery student and a talented weaver.

Edith joined my classes to learn simple wheel throwing and slab building to create ceramics that would work with the materials she had at hand.

Incorporating fibres, found objects, beads and grasses into pierced holes in the pot has resulted in some stunning works of art.

We work together to design and create unique works of art that entwine the two mediums of fibre and ceramic that complement each other and pay tribute to both mediums.

Creating Decorative Vessels

The ClayWeave process begins with a brainstorming session where we decide on the overall finished look and feel.

The clay pieces are mostly thrown on the wheel but some shapes are more successful as slab rolled constructions. In both cases, the design has to allow for the practicality of being able to accommodate pierced holes.

These holes are drilled into the clay after the work has been turned to create a foot-ring in the case of thrown ware and at ‘leather-hard’ stage for the slab rolled pieces.

The colour of the clay body and the colour of the glaze play an important role in the choice of fibre, beads and found objects.

Our aim is to create works where the different materials are simpatico and at the same time make a dramatic statement.

Making Modern, Stylish Mixed Media

There is no single way of adding weaving to clay. Coiling, looping and twining techniques in my experience lend themselves quite readily.

The starting point requires a way of securing the basketry component such as “anchoring” holes made in the ceramic piece, which can then be hidden or exposed.

Wrapping can also be a starting point. Finishing options may be predetermined as part of an overall esthetic or just evolve as the weaving progresses.

Choice of fibres, matching and co-ordinating colour schemes reflects availability of materials. Non-dyed options are a reliable alternative as are “natural” materials, though these require prior preparation.

Our Goal For Our Art with Attitude

Our mixed media aesthetic reflects a stylishly simple, almost traditional approach to each craft. While exploring many shapes and integrations, our ClayWeave vessels remain functional.

We are seeking a wider audience for our work and commercial outlets.

We look forward to exhibitions of ClayWeave works in galleries where mixed-media experimentations are welcome and appreciated.

We will support a sponsoring gallery in every way should they decide that the ClayWeave works are appropriate for their clientele.

We look forward to exclusive ClayWeave sales outlets in each significant geographic region and will actively support any commercial outlet.