Every piece of Bakuli Blu pottery begins its journey in the rich soils of Nyeri. Our claymaker and head potter travel there themselves, carefully selecting the finest clay, feeling its texture, and imagining the forms it might one day take. Back in the studio, this clay is blended with minerals from Athi River, following a precise, time-honored formula. Sometimes the mix needs a small adjustment, depending on the clay’s character, to create a material that is strong, resilient, and ready to be transformed. Durability is at the heart of every piece we make, ensuring that each creation is not only beautiful but built to last a lifetime.

The clay and minerals are first combined with water and stirred slowly with a large wooden paddle. This process takes around three days, until the mixture is completely smooth and free of lumps. Once perfectly blended, it is poured through a very fine sieve into another drum, filtering out any twigs or tiny impurities.

Next, the clay is spread onto the clay bed—a structure made of bricks with holes, covered with a fine cotton cloth. This clever setup allows the water to gently drain through the cloth and bricks, leaving the clay to rest and dry for several weeks, its pace guided by the weather itself.

When it reaches just the right dryness, the clay is cut into squares and transferred to the wedging table. Here, it is kneaded meticulously by hand, a process that removes air bubbles, improves pliability, and ensures a uniform texture. After this careful preparation, the clay is wrapped in plastic and left to age for about three weeks. Only then, after weeks of patient care, is the clay truly ready to be transformed into the beautiful, enduring pieces that carry the Bakuli Blu name.