This process starts out with around 3.5 lbs of stoneware clay for the large Model L. The clay was wedged ( this resembles kneading dough ) to expel any air and to homogenize the clay body providing a consistent working material.  To hasten the making, a heat gun ( not pictured ) is used to dry the work after it has been formed on the wheel. Care must be taken to not overdry the work or the pieces can not be joined together. Part 1 shows the manufacturing of the bowl up to before it goes in a kiln for its first firing called a "bisque firing" in which temperatures reach around 1800 degrees Fahrenheit.  All of the chemical water is removed from the form here and renders the work more stone-like. Click on each image for a description.

Part 2 will show the glazing, loading ( the big kiln ) and firing process. Stay tuned and thanks for looking. http://www.lgpotter.com/personalized-pet-bowls.html

Here's an order of nine personalized pet bowls that I recently finished.  The turn-around from order placement to completion of order was only two weeks.  That's actually a week faster than what I quote customers. This order was for 6 dogs ( 5 Pugs, 1 French Bulldog ) & 3 cats ( 1 Main Coon, 1 Ragdoll and 1 Domestic Short Hair ).  They should be arriving in their new home Feb 7, traveling from St. Louis to North Carolina. Crossing my fingers that they all make it intact.  I'd had enough breakage with the USPS, so I switched to FedEx and haven't had an issue yet.  These are my clay babies after all, so I tend to worry a little still. Pictured are small and mediums of the Model L and Model LG. The ones with the hump in the middle are for chow hounds ( Model LG ).  All of the color choices I offer were ordered too.  Would be nice to get images of these with their new owners to share with people. Stay tuned. http://www.lgpotter.com/personalized-pet-bowls.html

This is Shadow trying out the new bowl for fast eaters. Shadow belongs to Lori Lyman's daughter. Lori did a product review of the bowl I made for her.  Here's the link to that. 

http://www.dogtipper.com/products/2012/06/review-l-g-potter-personalized-pet-bowls.html Thanks to Paris and John of Dogtipper.com for their product review of my handmade ceramic pet bowls. Here's a link to the review: