The process I use to start my clay art is to first gather the clay in the Taos mountains. I find the clay pit then I hand gather the clay for processing. I bring the clay home to soak it in water in buckets. I then sieve the clay. I put the sieved clay in a cloth and dry it in the sun. When the clay is ready to work with I start. I use a slab technique. Some of the pieces have a micaceous slip, some don't. I paint them with earth pigments and sometimes acrylic. Then I fire them in an electric kiln or a traditional pit fire depending on the finish I want. I sometimes add a necklace made with turquoise, coral, silver, brass, abalone, freshwater pearls and glass beads. for the finishing touch.