About ClareThe Design Process

Every single piece of Clare’s collection is made by Clare herself at her Chesterfield studio. From hand weaving the fabrics to creating the bespoke moulds to glazing and firing and hand finishing each piece personally and making each one unique.

Understanding the 10-stage process Clare undertakes to create every piece in her collection, inspires love and awe. A single cup can take up to 10 days to create.

1. Weaving 

Clare begins by weaving the fabric then sewing a fabric cup.

Clare begins by weaving the fabric then sewing a fabric cup.

Clare firstly creates a fabric version of a cup. She hand weaves the fabric using her handloom. Up to four different fabric designs can be used to create a cup. Weaving can take up to two days.

2. Sewing a fabric cup

Using multiple different fabrics, Clare sews together a cup. This becomes part of the model from which a plaster cast is made.

3. Making a model

Once sewn together, Clare creates a model using the fabric cup and plaster to form a solid model of the cup.

4. Plaster mould

A plaster mould is then made of the fabric cup.

A plaster mould is then made of the fabric cup.

A mould is made in segments. Plaster is poured carefully around the fabric model and then left to dry. Depending on conditions, drying can take up to six days.

5. Casting

Once the plaster mould is dry casting can begin. Clay is poured into the plaster mould, left for a few minutes and then the excess is drained out, leaving the form of the cup inside the mould. This is then left to dry overnight.

6. Adding the finishing touches

Clare adds the finishing touches to the cups, including applying the individual stitches and handles by hand as well as her signature Clare Gage stamp to the base.

7. Drying

Clay is poured into the plaster mould to create the cup.

Clay is poured into the plaster mould to create the cup.

The finished cups are left to dry for up to four days ahead of firing.

8. Bisque firing

Once dry, the cups are then fired in their unglazed state. This is a 6 – 8 hour process and the cups are subjected to 1080⁰c in the kiln. It is so hot that the kiln takes a full day to cool before the cups can be removed.

9. Glazing

Once cool, Clare applies a gloss glaze to the inside of her cups. She allows a day for this to dry before applying her signature matt glaze to the outside of the cup to prepare the cup for the final firing.

10. Final glaze firing

Clare adds the finishing touches to the cup by hand - stitches and the handle.

Clare adds all the finishing touches to the cup by hand

The final stage and only 32 hours away from a fully finished cup. The cup is fired in the kiln once again, before being removed and quality checked by Clare herself.

 

And that is how a Clare Gage cup is made. Although the processes may vary, depending on the piece, Clare’s attention to detail, care, passion and personal involvement is exactly the same for every single item she produces.