hare – MmeBluestocking

Hello lovely people! I hope you’re all doing well. Today, I’m excited to share a special project from my pottery studio, The Dirty Potter (the website will be available soon where I will also sell my ceramics). Nestled in our back garden, on the edge of Delft and The Hague, this little sanctuary has been buzzing with creativity.

What’s actually happening behind this door?

Let me introduce you to Harvey the Hare, a life-size sculpture that has been a true labor of love.

The process of creating Harvey began with an armature made from newspaper. This lightweight framework provided the basic shape and support needed to build up the clay. I carefully molded and shaped the newspaper, ensuring every curve and contour was just right.

Once the form was ready, it was time to start adding the clay.

Layer by layer, Harvey began to take shape. There’s something incredibly therapeutic about working with clay—feeling its cool, pliable texture in your hands and watching a piece of art emerge. Sculpting Harvey required patience and attention to detail, as I wanted to capture the lively spirit and graceful form of a hare. The ears, the expressive eyes, the powerful legs—each part was carefully crafted and refined.

Once the sculpting was complete, Harvey needed to dry thoroughly before the first firing. This drying phase is crucial, as any remaining moisture can cause the sculpture to crack in the kiln. After a few weeks (I wanted to make sure he was thoroughly dry; and I was on holiday), it was time for the biscuit firing, also known as the bisque firing. Harvey was placed in the kiln and fired at 1100°C. This initial firing hardens the clay, making it durable and ready for glazing. I prefer 1100°C over 1000°C because the clay turns lighter the warmer it is fired.

Ready to be bisque fired at 1100 Celsius

The hole in his back is made before the first firing; when the clay is leather hard. This little hole is where the lamp will be fitted once Harvey is all glazed up.

Fresh from the kiln. Now Harvey is Bisque fired. Still not waterproof.

The glazing process is where the magic truly happens. I chose a combination of earthy tones and subtle glazes to bring Harvey to life.

But I also made another glaze from scratch to add a personal touch

Applying the glaze is a delicate task, requiring precision and creativity. I carefully brushed, dipped, and layered the glazes, envisioning how they would meld and react in the kiln’s heat.

Now, it was time for the final firing.

Very important not to skip this part: always make sure there is no glaze on the parts that will make contact with oven. Glaze melts when it’s hot and sticks to the surface and hardens. Once it is cold you can’t get from the surface.

Harvey was then placed back in the kiln, this time fired at 1200°C. This higher temperature causes the glazes to melt and fuse to the clay, creating a beautiful, glass-like finish. The anticipation during this phase is always palpable—waiting to see how the glazes have transformed and brought the sculpture to life.

After the kiln cooled and I could finally open it, there stood Harvey in all his glory. The glazes had turned out even better than I had hoped, adding depth and character to his form. Seeing the finished piece was incredibly rewarding, a testament to the hours of work, weeks of waiting, and love poured into it.

Harvey the Hare now proudly sits in my studio, a reminder of the joy and satisfaction that comes from creating art.

Look who arrived all in tact from the kiln

This project has been a journey of exploration, patience, and creativity, and I’m so thrilled to share it with you. I decided to turn Harvey into a lamp.

Thank you for joining me on this little adventure in clay. I hope it inspires you to embrace your creative passions, whatever they may be. Until next time, happy crafting and creative journeys!