Traci Cottrell Stockstill
I attended college at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma. I was going on a basketball scholarship, but plans change. I majored in ART. I've always been an artist. It was something I was destined to do. Art comes in many forms, I've dabbled in oil & acrylic painting, etchings & printing, and metal, wood & clay sculpture. I was lucky enough to go to Europe my sophomore year on an Art workstudy program, had a fantastic adventure.
ALL good things must come to an end, I graduated!
Art is my Passion. but to pay the bills I took a job as a third grade teacher's assistant and attended night school to earn my own teaching certification in Elementary Ed and also All-level Art. I have been a Teacher, a Wife and a Mother, when my son went off to college I asked the Lord, NOW WHAT? His answer was Art and now I am a Potter.
As a Potter, I started out with slab work, I was imitated by the potter's wheel. When I turned 50, I decided that I was too old to be afraid of anything. So the wheel became my next best friend. Now, I create beautiful hand thrown pottery, My ART surfaces in my creation of unique, one-of-a-kind pieces with beautiful variations of color achieved by the layering of the glazes. My handmade stoneware is perfect for everyday use, it will add character to your home or make a perfect gift for any occasion. Each piece is individually created in my studio located in Cary, NC. My pottery is extremely durable. It is food safe, oven safe and dishwasher safe; I only use clay that comes from raw materials right here in the US. It is certified 100% non-toxic, and my glazes are lead-free. Plus, YOU WILL LOVE THE WAY IT FEELS IN YOUR HANDS.
I attended college at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma. I was going on a basketball scholarship, but plans change. I majored in ART. I've always been an artist. It was something I was destined to do. Art comes in many forms, I've dabbled in oil & acrylic painting, etchings & printing, and metal, wood & clay sculpture. I was lucky enough to go to Europe my sophomore year on an Art workstudy program, had a fantastic adventure.
ALL good things must come to an end, I graduated!
Art is my Passion. but to pay the bills I took a job as a third grade teacher's assistant and attended night school to earn my own teaching certification in Elementary Ed and also All-level Art. I have been a Teacher, a Wife and a Mother, when my son went off to college I asked the Lord, NOW WHAT? His answer was Art and now I am a Potter.
As a Potter, I started out with slab work, I was imitated by the potter's wheel. When I turned 50, I decided that I was too old to be afraid of anything. So the wheel became my next best friend. Now, I create beautiful hand thrown pottery, My ART surfaces in my creation of unique, one-of-a-kind pieces with beautiful variations of color achieved by the layering of the glazes. My handmade stoneware is perfect for everyday use, it will add character to your home or make a perfect gift for any occasion. Each piece is individually created in my studio located in Cary, NC. My pottery is extremely durable. It is food safe, oven safe and dishwasher safe; I only use clay that comes from raw materials right here in the US. It is certified 100% non-toxic, and my glazes are lead-free. Plus, YOU WILL LOVE THE WAY IT FEELS IN YOUR HANDS.
Pottery is my Craft
Each piece stands uniquely on its own in it size and shape.
Stage 1 - I start with Cone 6 Stoneware Clay to create greenware pieces. Once the piece is formed, it must be completely bone-dry in order to be fired the 1st time or it will burst in the kiln; this step takes the longest 2-3 days .
Stage 2 - The greenware is low fired to Cone 04, to create bisqueware which enables it to be glazed.
The Art of Glazing is where the magic begins. Many of my unique one-of-a-kind pieces are award winning.
Stage 3 - Glazing the bisqueware by either brushing on the glaze or by dipping the piece in a bucket of glaze.
Stage 4 - Placing the piece in the kiln where the heat takes control. The piece is fired for a 2nd time to Cone 6, *2100 degrees, becoming Stoneware.
Each firing adds at least two production days, one for firing and one for cooling. The stoneware is fired to such a high temperature, each piece is extremely durable. It is food safe, oven safe and dishwasher safe. I use only lead-free glazes, the clay is certified 100% non-toxic and is made from raw materials from here in the USA.
Unfired Glazed Pieces
There are many factors that influence the success of a good glaze.
Each piece stands uniquely on its own in it size and shape.
Stage 1 - I start with Cone 6 Stoneware Clay to create greenware pieces. Once the piece is formed, it must be completely bone-dry in order to be fired the 1st time or it will burst in the kiln; this step takes the longest 2-3 days .
Stage 2 - The greenware is low fired to Cone 04, to create bisqueware which enables it to be glazed.
The Art of Glazing is where the magic begins. Many of my unique one-of-a-kind pieces are award winning.
Stage 3 - Glazing the bisqueware by either brushing on the glaze or by dipping the piece in a bucket of glaze.
Stage 4 - Placing the piece in the kiln where the heat takes control. The piece is fired for a 2nd time to Cone 6, *2100 degrees, becoming Stoneware.
Each firing adds at least two production days, one for firing and one for cooling. The stoneware is fired to such a high temperature, each piece is extremely durable. It is food safe, oven safe and dishwasher safe. I use only lead-free glazes, the clay is certified 100% non-toxic and is made from raw materials from here in the USA.
Unfired Glazed Pieces
There are many factors that influence the success of a good glaze.
- Matching the clay with the right glaze and correct firing temp.
- Applying even coats of Glaze.
- Choosing the right Clay Body (affects the color of the Glaze.)