Techniques & Materials

Hand-building methods, surface decoration, and the clays and tools that shape every BHClaysmith piece.

Surface & Texture

From terra sigillata to intaglio stamping

Barbara works with both earthenware and stoneware clays, choosing each for its handling qualities and fired character. Surface treatments range from the silky, low-sheen finish of terra sigillata to the crisp line work of Mayco Designer Liners. Scroddled clay — blending two or more colored clay bodies — creates marbled effects, while stains and spot glazing add depth to forms like pinch pot bells.

Texture is central to her work. She designed a series of intaglio flexible rubber stamp mats — including Paisley INTAGLIO, Lattice Leaf, and CLEOPATRA — that press ornate relief patterns into slabs before forming.

Found & Natural Materials

Incorporating the unexpected

Barbara often pairs clay with found and natural elements. Deer antler handles lend an organic contrast to ceramic vessels. Dried Virginia creeper vines become structural accents, and waxed linen wrapping secures joins while adding a tactile, hand-finished detail. These materials root each piece in the natural world and give it a sense of place.

Building with Templates

Cardboard guides adapted for clay construction

Pyramid Forms

Cardboard templates cut to precise angles guide slab construction, yielding crisp geometric vessels with clean seams.

Rectangular Boxes

Template-built boxes with flanged lids demonstrate how paper patterns translate into functional, architectural clay forms.

Hollow Handles & Seams

Techniques for invisible seams and hollow handles keep forms lightweight and refined — skills Barbara taught in her workshops.

The heart of BHClaysmith lies in the tactile world of hand-building, where every vessel, pendant, and dish begins as a soft lump of clay shaped entirely by hand. From pinch pots and coiled forms to carved leaves and hollow rattles, each piece carries the gentle imprint of the maker's fingers. Barbara works across earthenware and stoneware, selecting each clay body for its unique character and how it responds to pressure and gesture. The finished work reflects a quiet patience, whether it is a lidded box, a tumbled bead, or a tray built to hold everyday treasures.

Surface decoration brings a second layer of life to the pottery, with techniques that transform simple forms into something special. Terra sigillata lends a silky, low-sheen finish, while intaglio stamping presses delicate line work into the clay surface. Scroddled blends of colored bodies create lovely marbled patterns, and spot glazing adds bursts of color across pinch pot bells and pendant discs. Stains, liners, and carefully chosen glazes deepen the textural story, so each bowl, pitcher, or garden chime feels both crafted and alive, inviting the hand to explore every ridge and curve.