Micaceous clay pottery has been used as cooking vessels by Apache and Pueblo Indians for centuries.

Each piece begins with hand rolled coils of local clays rich in mica. The layers of coils are pressed together, sealed, shaped, and dried. After the pot has dried, it is scraped and sanded with a sandstone.

A slip (micaceous clay mixed with extra mica) is then applied to the sanded pot before the pot is polished with a smooth stone until it shines.

The firing is done in a traditional open fire pit. During the firing, the flames create the distinctive black and silver "fire clouds" that make each piece of micaceous pottery unique.

Micaceous pottery is safe for cooking any type of food. The mica keeps cooked food warm and salads cold. Pots should be allowed to warm slowly on a lower temperature setting. Electric and gas stoves will create burn marks on the bottom of the pot. Pots used daily eventually turn to a rich shade of black. Pots should be hand-washed only.

Click Here to read an article from Gourmet Magazine featuring Micaceous Pottery.

Each piece of pottery is made with hand rolled coils of local clays rich in mica. Coil by coil, the pot is constructed until the desired shape is built.

The Firing Process