The white & tan/buff-colored clays that I use are Native clays that are dug from my homeland of Hotevilla, AZ. The micaceous clay comes from the Northern mountains of NM. The clay slips are from the same source, just more refined. Mixing pulverized previously fired pots as a temper and the screened clay, I begin building my pots; all are hand built using the coiling method for larger pots, or pinch pot method for smaller seed pots. After the pot is dried and sanded, I apply the clay slip and polish using a smooth stone. A shellac base is applied on the pot to create a sand pattern, allow to dry, it is damp sponged, the method is repeated. If silver is going to be incorporated, I will do a cuttlebone/tufa casting using sterling silver grain. The ingots will be fabricated or shaped for the pot. I do both kiln firing and traditional out-door firing. Epoxy is used for inlaying silver. I collaborate with my wife, Debra, making the silver lids for her sgraffito pots as well.