Hannah Brehmer Pottery


My History



I have been a ceramic artist/potter for about 40 years, beginning when I graduated from Ohio State with a degree in Fine Arts and a specialty in ceramics. I have had my own gallery in Carmel Valley, California and again in South Lake Tahoe, where I taught ceramics at the college. My appreciation for handmade pottery started when I lived in Japan for four years and enjoyed their lovely pottery . Much of my work has been on the potter's wheel, though I have enjoyed making pieces from slabs. I have always made my own glazes and have never bought a commercial one.


​hannahbrehmer@me.com

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raku



Raku is a Japanese word for a special process that goes beyond just firing a piece in a kiln. When the red hot pot with melted glaze is pulled from the kiln with tongs, it is immediately placed in a metal bin (garbage can) with leaves or paper that will burn and the lid is quickly replaced. The burning material creates carbon, which blackens the cracks that occur when the pot cools. That is when you see the classic "crackle" glaze.

Prices range from $50 to $500

Note: there are always sale items available: $10 - $20. Mugs bowls , vases, etc.



PIT-FIRE

The first primitive kilns were probably a hole in the ground, where higher heat could be reached . Today potters enjoy the excitement of the firing and especially the wonderful results that sometimes occur. Chemicals such as copper sulfate, iron in various forms, cobalt, salt, and anything that might fume the pieces during the firing are sprinkled about the pottery. . Then bales of straw are spread over all to protect the pottery from the wood that would be piled on top. A large fire is maintained for a few hours and It is cool enough to unload the next day. the results have been called "flame painting".

Prices range from $50 to $500.



Horsehair raku



Horsehair raku involves heating a pot to about 1200 degrees, pulling it from the kiln and laying a horsehair on the hot clay. It immediately burns, depositing a black carbon pattern on the pot. I only have seconds to create a pattern one hair at a time (without burning my fingers) until the pot is too cool to burn the hair. Then I can spray the piece while it is still hot, with ferric chloride to create a lovely orange and yellow color.

Prices range from $75 to $500



STONEWARE



Stoneware is different from earthenware in that the clay can stand up to high temperatures such as 2300 degrees or more, where earthenware would melt and leave a puddle of glass on the shelf. Most electric kilns cannot reach that temperature, so a gas or wood burning kiln is needed.
Stoneware becomes vitrified, meaning the clay is fused enough to be waterproof, whereas earthenware needs glaze to be waterproof. I mix high temperature glazes for their beauty.

PRICES RANGE FROM $50 TO $500



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