Behind the Scenes - How our ceramics are made

The making process

Hand painting leopard spots

Dogwood Lifestyle ceramics are handmade by Italian artisans who have perfected their craft for over 40 years. It is the hand painted nature that gives individual character to every single piece. 

Each design begins with the sculptor who brings the creation to life by creating the first model of the piece. 

Adding the final touches to a sculpture

This sculpture is then used to create a ‘mother mould’ from which ‘production moulds’ are made. The production mould is a negative of the final piece and the vessel in which the clay will be poured into as it starts out in liquid form. The mould allows the liquid to fill out into the desired shape. This process has many stages before we can finally open the mould and remove the solid piece.

Close up of a mould

The piece is then allowed to dry and must undergo checks by hand to ensure it is smoothed out and perfected. The piece will be soft and fragile at this stage so care must be taken.

After the check the piece is then fired in a kiln to very high temperatures which allow the piece to turn into what is known as ‘bisque’ ceramic. The bisque looks white and has a rough to touch surface.

Firing bisque in the kiln

It is the bisque which is then painted by hand and any special details are added.

Painting leopard spots onto the bisque by hand

Next the painted bisque can be glazed, this gives the ceramic its characteristic shiny surface. This involves the piece being fired in the kiln a final time which allows the colours to come through and leaves the piece solid.

Hand painting planters

Finally each piece is checked for quality assurance and then it is ready!

Back in the 1980s where it all started

Working with ceramics is a lengthy process and at every stage the piece is at risk of breaking, if this happens the whole process must begin again. It takes a lot of skill, time and patience for our artisans.