Behind The Scenes: What Happens When You Leave Colemans Create and Craft?

So many of you have asked, “What exactly happens during those 7 to 10 days after I finish painting my pottery masterpiece?” I get it—waiting can feel like forever when you’re excited to see your creation come to life. Today, I’m pulling back the curtain to share the step-by-step process that turns your painted pottery into a vibrant, glossy work of art at Colemans Create and Craft. If you want the full experience, you can watch the video walkthrough, or below is the scoop in words.

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Step 1: Drying Your Painted Pottery

Once you’ve finished painting your masterpiece, I carefully place it on our drying rack. This is where your piece rests for 24 hours, giving the paint time to fully dry and settle into the pottery’s surface. This step is crucial because if the paint isn’t completely dry, the next stages won’t work properly.

Step 2: Dipping in Our Special Glaze

After the paint has dried, your creation gets a magical dip in our special glaze. Using tongs, I carefully submerge the piece to coat it evenly. This glaze adds that amazing dazzle and shine you’ll notice when your pottery comes out of the kiln. It’s like putting on a glossy jacket that protects and enhances your design.

Step 3: Glaze Drying and Smoothing

The glazed pottery then takes another 24 hours to dry. Once dry, I gently rub down each piece to remove any lumps or bumps. This step ensures the surface is smooth and ready for firing. It’s a bit like giving your pottery a final polish before the big transformation.

Step 4: Choosing the Right Stilt

Before firing, I select the perfect stilt to hold your piece inside the kiln. Stilts are tiny supports that keep the pottery elevated, allowing air to circulate and preventing the glaze from sticking to the kiln shelves. Choosing the right stilt depends on your piece’s shape and size, ensuring it has enough breathing space for a flawless finish.

Step 5: Loading the Kiln Like a Game of Tetris

Now comes the fun part—loading the kiln. I play a careful game of Tetris, arranging as many creations as possible inside. The kiln is loaded from bottom to top, with heavy stone shelves placed between layers to maximize space. This careful stacking means we can fire many pieces at once without compromising quality.

Step 6: The Firing Process

With the kiln loaded, I set it up and switch it on. The firing process takes about 16 hours, including heating up and cooling down. This slow, controlled temperature change is essential to avoid cracks or damage. During firing, the glaze melts and fuses to the pottery, locking in your design and colours.

Step 7: Opening the Kiln and Revealing the Transformation

After the kiln has cooled, I open it to reveal your fired pottery. This is one of my favourite moments because the transformation is stunning. The colours become vibrant and shiny, and the glaze gives your piece a smooth, glass-like finish. Seeing your creation come to life never gets old.

Step 8: Photographing, Wrapping, and Preparing for Collection

Next, I photograph each piece for our social media pages and note the collection number. Then, I carefully wrap your pottery to protect it during transport. Finally, I send you a message letting you know your masterpiece is ready for collection. This step ensures your pottery arrives safely and you’re the first to know it’s ready.

Step 9: You Collect Your Awesome New Masterpiece

The last step is the best—you come to collect your pottery! Holding your finished creation, knowing the care and craft behind it, is truly special. Your masterpiece is now ready to brighten your home or become a cherished gift.

Thank you for keeping me so busy!

Love Chloe x