Our Craft

At Polli Pots Studio, craft is the foundation of everything we do. Each piece is made slowly, by hand, with close attention to form, balance, and surface.

Every object is shaped, refined, and finished by Eeli Polli in Denmark, using traditional ceramic techniques developed through more than a decade of practice. The process is deliberate and tactile, allowing the material to guide the final result. Subtle variations are embraced as part of the work, making every piece quietly distinctive and entirely one of a kind.

Production happens in small, intimate batches or as individual orders. This scale allows full focus on each object, from the first pull of clay to the final firing. There is no rush and no standardization, only careful repetition and continuous refinement.

All glazes are original and developed in the studio. Mixed by hand and tested over time, they are designed to interact with the form and firing in nuanced ways, giving each piece depth and character that cannot be replicated.

Our studio operates in Denmark, where we maintain close relationships with our suppliers and support local craftsmanship. We are committed to fair practices and transparency in every part of the process. Clay and glazes are sourced from responsible suppliers who share a commitment to environmental stewardship, and materials are carefully chosen for their quality, durability, and long-term use.

Polli Pots ceramics are made to be used and lived with. They reflect a belief in thoughtful making, lasting objects, and the value of skilled hands shaping simple materials into something meaningful.

Join us in celebrating the beauty of handmade, sustainable pottery.

Step 1

Preparing the Clay

Every piece begins with raw clay. The clay is weighed and wedged by hand — a process of kneading that removes air pockets and aligns the particles. Proper wedging ensures structural integrity and an even texture.

Clay is chosen for its plasticity, strength, and firing behavior. The body must complement the intended glaze and temperature.

Step 2

Forming the Piece

The clay is shaped either by wheel-throwing or hand-building.

  • Wheel-throwing involves centering the clay on a rotating wheel and drawing the walls upward through controlled pressure.
  • Hand-building may include coiling, slab construction, or sculptural forming.

At this stage, proportion, wall thickness, and balance are established. The form is refined while the clay remains pliable.

step 3

Trimming and Refinement

Once the piece reaches a leather-hard state (firm but still workable), it is trimmed.

  • Excess clay is removed from the base.
  • The foot is defined.
  • Edges and surfaces are sharpened or softened.

Handles or additional elements are attached at this stage, requiring careful scoring and slipping to ensure structural bonding.

step 4

Drying

Pieces must dry slowly and evenly. Rapid drying causes warping or cracking.


Drying can take several days depending on thickness and humidity. The goal is complete evaporation of physical water before firing.

step 5

First Firing (Bisque Firing)

The dried piece is fired in a kiln, typically between 900–1000°C.

This transforms fragile clay into ceramic through a chemical process:

  • Organic materials burn away.
  • The clay becomes porous but permanently hardened.

After bisque firing, the piece is durable enough to handle and glaze.

step 6

Glaze Development and Application

Glaze is a mixture of minerals and oxides that melt during firing to form a glass-like surface.


Developing original glazes involves:

  • Testing mineral combinations
  • Adjusting silica, alumina, and flux ratios
  • Firing multiple samples to evaluate texture, tone, and surface reaction


Application methods include pouring, dipping, brushing, or layering. Thickness and interaction with the clay body influence the final result.

step 7

 Glaze Firing

The glazed piece returns to the kiln, often at higher temperatures (1200–1300°C for stoneware).


During this firing:

  • Glaze materials melt and fuse.
  • Color develops through oxidation or reduction.
  • Surface variations emerge based on heat distribution and kiln atmosphere.

No two firings are identical. Subtle shifts in temperature or placement produce nuanced variation.

step 8

Cooling and Finishing

Cooling must be gradual to prevent thermal shock.

Once removed from the kiln:

  • Bases are sanded smooth.
  • Each piece is inspected for balance, finish, and surface integrity.

Only pieces that meet aesthetic and structural standards are released.

Handcrafted in Denmark

Ceramics shaped by years of practice, celebrating timeless form, intention, and individuality.