The Carving Process starts with a solid layer of slip on the still wet piece. I carve the border first and then my main pattern, slowly taking away the background and allowing the design to emerge. The carving is exact- these lines cannot be un-made. When the carving is finished, I inlay contrasting slip into the background. Lastly, I overlay ash glaze on selected elements of the pattern to give it depth. At this point the piece is finished and ready to go in the kiln.