Making Gzhel Pottery

1. To make Gzhel pottery, a craftsman must first make a mold by hand. No mold can be used more than 5-6 times.
2. The molds are then filled with a liquid ceramic mixture known as slurry, and placed outdoors to dry in the fresh air.

3. Once the water has been absorbed and the slurry has dried, the rough, partially finished pieces of pottery can be removed from their molds.
  
4. A wet sponge is then used to remove any extra bumps and seams. Additional pieces, like handles or spouts, are then glued on.

5. Now the pieces are placed in a kiln for their first firing, at temperatures of 850-950 degrees Fahrenheit. This strengthens the ceramic.

6. Next, the ceramic dishes are glazed with a solution that gives them a unique pink color, which reveals cracks while simultaneously sealing and waterproofing them.

7. It's only after these steps are completed that the artist can paint designs on the pink surfaces of the pieces using cobalt. Usually the designs include flowers, landscapes, or scenes from stories.
  
8. After the artist is finished painting the pieces, they are dipped in glaze again. At this stage, it's hard to imagine that a beautiful piece of art is hidden underneath the matte pink film.
  
9. The final step involves placing the pieces in the kiln again, only now at a temperature of 980-1050 degrees Fahrenheit. At this temperature, the glaze sets and the cobalt color turns from black to bright blue.

10. When the finished pieces are removed from the oven, they are snow white with a dark blue underglazed pattern.

The entire process for making Gzhel pottery can take anywhere from 4 to 6 days.