Wood Fired Woo Blue Slip Textured Vase
Wood Fired Woo Blue Slip Textured Vase
This handmade wood fired vase features a beautiful balance of soft blue glaze, warm earth tones, and subtle flashes created naturally during firing. Its elegant profile is accented by carved bands around the belly, adding texture and movement while allowing the rich surface variation to take center stage.
Sheltered deep within the kiln, this vase developed a dreamy veil of blue across much of its surface while still carrying the warmth and complexity that make every wood fired piece unique. Gentle transitions of blue, cream, tan, and hints of lavender give the vase a calm, timeless presence that complements both fresh blooms and minimalist décor.
Details
The vase stands approximately 8.75 inches tall and measures about 4.5 inches wide at the belly. The lip spans roughly 4 inches across, with an inner opening of 1.75 inches, and the base measures approximately 3.5 inches wide. All of my pottery is dishwasher safe for easy cleanup.
Use
Ideal for fresh bouquets, garden flowers, dried botanicals, or simply as a decorative statement, this vase brings warmth and handcrafted character to any space. The narrowed neck naturally gathers stems for easy arranging, while its classic proportions make it equally at home on a dining table, bookshelf, or mantel. Its versatile color palette pairs beautifully with both modern and rustic interiors.
Process
This vase was wheel thrown using Dave's Porcelain clay. A layer of white slip (a blend of white clay and water) was painted around the belly of the vase, followed by layer of brown slip (the same slip with iron oxide blended in). A jagged brush was used to add the texture into the wet slip, as the vase spun on the wheel. After bisque firing, the vase was glazed on the interior, around the rim and down the neck in Woo Blue glaze. The white and brown slip texture around the belly of the pot was left unglazed.
This piece was fired in a wood-burning kiln at Desert Dragon Pottery Studio in North Phoenix. Unlike electric or gas kilns, wood firing relies entirely on burning wood to build heat and atmosphere inside the kiln. As the kiln is stoked, flame, ash, and minerals from the burning wood move naturally around the pottery, creating organic surface markings, flashing, and subtle color transitions that cannot be replicated through glazing alone.
The kiln used is a fast-fire wood kiln that reaches temperature in approximately 12 hours. The dynamic nature of wood firing means each piece responds differently to its placement within the kiln, resulting in truly one-of-a-kind works that capture the spontaneity and beauty of the firing process.
