Make a bowl with Mia

(Elizabeth Yowell)

Throwing the clay

The first step to creating a bowl is to slam the ball of clay on to the center of the wheel. After making sure the clay is steady, Schwartz utilizes water when needed to mold the bowl.
(Elizabeth Yowell)

Shaping the bowl

Once the clay is malleable, it is time to form the opening of the bowl. In order to keep the bowl from caving in, Schwartz applies steady pressure by pulling and pushing in order to get the desired product.
(Elizabeth Yowell)

Finishing details

Once the clay has dried carving tools are used to cut off imperfections and add details. Bowls are then dipped or hand painted with a variety of colored glazes before being put in the kiln.
(Photo Courtesy of Mia Schwartz)

Final product

After hours of being in the kiln, the bowls are retrieved and wrapped to deliver to the Austin Empty Bowl Project for low income families to use. Bowls will continue to be produced until the Sunday before Thanksgiving, when the event will take place.

The Dispatch