Abstract: A pottery article decorated with a selected rock, such as a lava rock, is prepared by shaping a pottery article, such as a vase, from pottery clay, then partially drying the vase and forming a hole in the side of the vase, large enough to force the rock into so that it will be held in place by the surrounding pottery clay. The edges of the hole are cut to a sharp angle. A multiplicity of smaller holes are formed in the pottery clay in the region around the rock to inhibit the cracking of the pottery from cracking due to shrinkage during subsequent drying and firing. The pottery is then dried at room temperatures for about two weeks. Optionally, the holes may be filled with a moist clay/glaze mixture and dried again. The article is then fired at a cone 08 for about twelve hours and cooled, then glazed by dipping in a glaze bath and firing again at a cone 05 for about six hours.