On 16th August 10 lucky children and several keen parents headed up to Matakana for the Morris and James Pottery Factory Tour. On arrival we explored the playground and grabbed a bite to eat. In the playground is a model of a penny farthing bike. This is the symbol or 'potters'mark' for Morris and James. We were told this was chosen as the Penny Farthing represents the enormous difference that simple technology can make, but only according to the skill of the ‘rider’.

Next we got to wander in the pottery shop and gaze at all the amazing creations for sale. We started the pottery factory tour with a video showing us the process of collecting clay from the nearby river bank, drying the clay, sifting the dried clay, and remixing the refined clay with water and a bit of black sand. We learnt about the pot making process (extrusion to make the large pots and the tall columns), drying the pots, firing (baking) the pots on a kiln, and decorating the pottery. Did you know that clay shrinks as it dries? They have sand on the floor in the drying room (called 'the Summer Room' because it's so nice and warm all the time). This is to make sure the pots don't stick to the floor and crack as they shrink.

There were PILES of huge pots and ceramic shapes all drying out. It takes about 3 weeks to dry before they can be fired in the kiln.

Morris and James have a really clever system of moving the heavy pottery - they have tracks in their factory that carts run on - they can even push the carts straight into the kiln at firing time as they are made of heat-proof material!

Glazes give the pottery the colours, but they don't look very colourful before they are baked. The artists that paint the glaze on need to mix it carefully and paint it on so that when it melts as it bakes it does not drip everywhere. There are some talented artists at Morris and James. So many beautiful pieces are for sale in their shop.

We learnt a lot about the pottery making process - it takes time, patience and skill to make a great pot. Thank you Morris and James for showing us around! You have inspired us to be creative!