The Journey of Clay: From Raw Material to Your Favorite Pottery Piece
At Jars of Dust, every handmade ceramic piece starts as a block of muddy, shapeless clay — no frills, no glaze, no filter. Just earth. And then something wild happens. With a little pressure, patience, and soul, that lump becomes your favorite ceramic mug, your go-to ramen bowl, your morning ritual.
We wanted to give you a look behind the curtain — or in our case, behind the dusty shelves, glaze buckets, and spinning wheels — at the full pottery making process. Because when you hold one of our handmade pieces, you’re holding a story.
1. The Clay
Our process starts with high-quality stoneware clay — sturdy, earthy, and able to stand up to real-life use. We wedge it by hand to remove air bubbles and make it smooth and workable. This part is meditative, messy, and essential. It’s also usually done with two shop dogs wrestling nearby. Very artisanal.
Keyword drop: This is the beginning of the journey from clay to pottery.
2. Throwing on the Wheel
This is where the magic (and muscle) happens. We center the clay on the wheel and throw it into shape — whether it’s a tumbler, a bowl, or a vase. Each one is made individually, by hand, by someone who probably has sea salt in their hair and clay under their fingernails.
No molds. No shortcuts. Just pure craftsmanship.
Fun fact: Your favorite handmade ceramic mug likely passed through 4 pairs of hands during the pottery making process.
3. Drying + Trimming
Once a piece is thrown, it needs to dry to a leather-hard stage. Then we trim it — carving off extra clay and adding those signature foot rings or textured lines. This is also when we attach our famous thumb rest handles onto our handmade mugs.
It’s detailed, quiet work. We’re usually blasting indie rock or 90s’ country in the background.
4. The First Fire (Bisque Firing)
Once the pieces are fully bone-dry (they must be completely dry or they’ll explode in the kiln — not cute), we load them into the kiln for a bisque firing. This first fire transforms the clay from something fragile into something ceramic and strong.
It’s also when we really see the transformation from clay to pottery. The form is locked in. It’s ready for glaze.
5. Glazing
This is the part where personality kicks in. Our handmade ceramics are glazed by hand, often by dipping or brushing. We use ocean-inspired tones: eggshell whites, sea-glass blues, and sandy neutrals. The glazes react in the fire, creating subtle textures and patterns — no two ever turn out exactly the same.
6. The Final Fire (Glaze Firing)
Then it’s time for round two in the kiln. The glaze melts and fuses to the pottery surface, giving it that smooth, durable finish. When the kiln opens, it’s like Christmas morning. You’ll hear cheers. Sometimes cussing. It’s all part of the ride.
7. Finishing Touches
We sand every piece by hand for that perfectly smooth bottom (no table scratches, ever), check for quality, and prep them for shop shelves or shipping. Whether you pick it up in person or unbox it at home, we want it to feel like it came straight from the heart of our studio — because it did.
So the next time you’re sipping from your favorite ceramic mug or eating dinner from one of our handmade dinner plates, you’ll know — this isn’t just pottery. It’s a full-circle story. From handmade ceramics thrown in a sunlit studio in Virginia Beach to your hands, your table, your rituals.
That’s the pottery making process we live for.
Thanks for being part of the journey.
— The Jars of Dust crew 🤎
Shop Jars of Dust Handmade Pottery:
Shop our 4-Piece Ceramic Dinner Plate Set and save 10%!
Elevate your everyday meals with a handmade ceramic dinner plate crafted by Jars of Dust in Virginia Beach, VA. Each piece is formed on the wheel by hand from durable stoneware clay, glazed by hand, and made to be used daily—whether you’re setting the table for one or refreshing a full collection.
With its gently curved edge and clean, modern profile, this artisan plate is the perfect balance of form and function. Microwave and dishwasher safe, it’s ideal for home chefs, entertainers, and ceramic lovers who appreciate durable, beautiful tableware with a handmade touch.
Thoughtfully crafted in small batches in our coastal Virginia studio, this individual stoneware dinner plate brings lasting warmth to any meal. Crafted from high-fired, non-toxic stoneware and finished with lead-free, food-safe glazes — making it a healthy, long-lasting choice for everyday use.
Dimensions (please expect slight variations among size/shape):
Diameter - 11in
Height - 1in
*Please note our tableware is glazed to order and may take 2-3 weeks to complete.
Shop our 4-Piece Classic Mug Set and save 10%!
Start your day with a cozy, handcrafted mug that’s as beautiful as it is functional. This Classic Large Mug is wheel-thrown from non-toxic stoneware clay and hand-glazed in our signature finishes, ensuring every piece is both food-safe and uniquely yours.
Designed for your favorite hot drinks, from coffee to tea, this large ceramic mug offers a comfortable grip and generous capacity. The lead-free, food-safe glaze makes it the perfect choice for those seeking non-toxic pottery that’s safe for everyday use. Microwave and dishwasher safe, it’s as practical as it is stunning.
Handmade in our Virginia Beach pottery studio, this artisan mug adds a touch of warmth and craftsmanship to your morning ritual, all while providing peace of mind about the materials you use in your kitchen.
Dimensions (please expect slight variations among size/shape):
Diameter - 3.5in
Height - 5in
Volume - 16oz
Check out our Small Handmade Ceramic Mug option!
Shop our 4-Piece Ceramic Side Bowl Set and save 10%!
The perfect addition to any handmade kitchen collection, this small ceramic side bowl is ideal for dips, snacks, sauces, or desserts. Wheel-thrown in our Virginia Beach pottery studio, each bowl is crafted with care from durable stoneware clay and finished in our signature, hand-glazed finishes.
Its compact size and versatile shape make it a functional favorite for modern, intentional kitchens. Microwave and dishwasher safe, this handmade dish is designed for daily use and effortless beauty. Made from high-fired, non-toxic stoneware and finished with lead-free, food-safe glazes — making it a healthy, long-lasting choice for everyday use.
Whether you’re searching for unique ceramic bowls, handmade pottery dishes, or small-batch kitchenware made in the USA, this piece from Jars of Dust offers both craft and practicality in every curve.
Dimensions (please expect slight variations among size/shape):
Diameter - 5.5in
Height - 2.5in
*Please note, our handmade tableware is glazed to order and may take 2-3 weeks to complete.