It all started when my daughter invited me to visit her in La Madera New Mexico where she was doing research on the Jicarilla Apache Tribe. I took lessons at the studio of a master in micaceous clay pottery.

The first day we went to the mountains and harvested the raw mica clay.

The household was a very busy place. We got up early in the morning to start the learning process. As I watched the master coil and build a perfeclly shaped bean pot I thought, how does he do that? I was accustomed to working on a wheel and was in awe to watch him work so fast using the hand coiling method.

My first pot was not a thing of beauty. All in all I made about 4 pots to take home with me and one to give to my daughter (my first pot).

The first step to building a pot is to select a "puki" or a bowl that will achieve the shape and size you want your pot to be.
You then shape a tortilla out of clay and place it in the bottom of a oiled and mica dusted bowl. You then start the coiling process. Once your piece is shaped the way you want you then need to dry it. Depending on the humidity and temperature outside this could take a couple of days.

Once dry you then need to "water scrape" your piece, this is simply achieved by using a thick slurry of your clay and scrape it from the bottom of the pot to the top to take off the high spots. You then have to let it dry again. Once dry you then use a rock (sand stone) to further refine your work. Then comes the sanding, repairing, sanding and sanding.

The final step is to apply a slip that contains larger flecks of mica in the clay and you apply it with a damp-dry sponge until it shines. You finish the pot with the final polishing with a smooth stone. The pot is now ready for the final firing.

The firing is the critical step of the whole process. Your baby is about to be born and all thoughts have to be positive and calm. After all, you have spent quite a bit of time getting ready for this beautiful event! After the fire has died down you then take it out of the fire and place a bit of your hair on it to to pass your spirit on to the little one.

I hope all my babies find good homes and will be passed on to future generations.