Horezu Ceramics by Maria Stefanescu: Handcrafted Romanian Pottery

PLATE MANUFACTURING
The process of making a Horezu ceramic plate can be divided into several stages:
1. *Clay Extraction and Preparation*: The clay is extracted from the local area and prepared by kneading it to remove impurities and achieve a suitable consistency for modeling.
2. *Color Preparation*: Similar to the clay we use, these colors are directly extracted from the earth in solid form. They are then meticulously prepared with water and passed through a "rasnita " until they become liquid, ready to be applied.
3. *Modeling*: The clay is shaped into a plate on the potter's wheel.
4. *Decoration*: The plate is decorated with different patterns and symbols using natural colors.
5. *Finishing the Back*: The plate is turned over and processed with special attention, ensuring that its texture is smooth and fine.
6. *Drying*: The plate is left to dry naturally. This process can take a few days and is essential to prevent the clay from cracking in the following stages.
7. *First Firing*: Once the plate is dry, it is placed in the kiln for the first firing
. 8. *Glazing*: After the first firing, the plate is covered with a layer of transparent glaze which will give the object a glossy finish.
9. *Second Firing*: The plate is put back in the kiln. The second firing fixes the glaze and colors, turning the plate into a durable and resistant object.
10. *Cooling and Final Finishing*: After the second firing is completed, the plate is left to cool.