Exploring local clay deposits is one of my favourite activites, and in Tai Tokerau, Northland, there is a plethora. I used to curse the clay soil we have in our garden, as it is so heavy and hard to grow vegetables in. That changed when I noticed how pure the clay was when digging the holes for my verandah posts. I processed a small sample and when it threw and fired well, I was hooked. Commercially mixed clay often has additives to make it strong and flexible, which can be very helpful, while raw clay has a mind of its own. It encourages me to enjoy the processing and making journey as opposed to only celebrating the end product. Of course there are days where the clay cracks, rejects glaze or is just hard to work with, but there is a grounded feeling I can’t quite explain about following the whole process from digging to using a functional and beautiful piece.