“Creating simple everyday objects with clay gathered at low tide from the shores of Jersey.”
T I D A L W A R E
P A N E L S
U R C H I N R A N G E
M O N O S C A P E S
From a small workshop on the eastern edge of the island, I make a range of limited edition original ceramic pieces for display and use around the home. You can do it the easy way and order clay online, or you try the fun way and head offshore at low water to dig up your own unique Jersey clay.
J E R S E Y C L A Y
Once you know what you’re looking for you’ll find various types of clay pushed up to the surface.
Once you find a vein of clay, then you have to carefully excavate the mix of clay, sand, shell fragments, worms and grit to take back to shore. This is when the work of separating the clay from the sand and grit begins. First I add water to the mix and break down the solid mass to a syrupy consistency. The ‘slop’, which varies in colour from aqua blue, green or yellow ochre, is then poured through a filter after filter to remove stones, shells and finally sand. What remains is a runny clay which is then left to settle and separate from the water. The residue is then dried out on plaster bats to draw out the remaining moisture, until the clay is dry enough to work with and be turned on the wheel to make fine pot.
Made on the island, from the island, by an island girl.
It’s a lot of work carrying, cleaning and processing the clay to a workable material to make stoneware ceramics, but the results make it all worthwhile.
NOTE: Digging for clay offshore requires a permit from the Environmental Minister.
To enquire about any of the work featured on this site, just fill out this form and i’ll get back to you asap.
HAITHWAITE CERAMICS STUDIO
5 Carteret Farm, La Rue De Grouville, Grouville, Jersey. JE39HP
PHONE
+44 (0) 7797730267
EMAIL
haithwaiteceramics@gmail.com