Tools & Vocab
What tool should you avoid when carving?
(tip: slices the clay instead of removing)
Needle Tool
If the slip is dry, what must you do?
Add water
Why do we dry foot, and by how much?
So glaze does not touch the kiln shelf when it is molten, turn to glass, then stick. 1/4" from the base
What is silicosis?
Lung disease caused by inhaling silica which is in clay dust.
What must you do to the dip glazes before glazing your piece?
Mix them
What stage of clay is best to carve into?
Leather Hard
What stage of clay does a piece need to be in before it can be fired in the kiln?
Bone Dry
Why do we use a wet sponge on bisque-fire pieces before we glaze?
To remove dust and oils from the surface so the glaze adheres better.
Why do we need to clean the floor?
Dried clay easily turns to dust, then we breathe it in which harms our lungs (silicosis).
When throwing, what is the step called when we apply pressure downward to secure the clay to the bat?
Skirting
What is the name of the tool which creates texture/design as you press down.
Stamp
What is grog?
Prefired bits of clay that make the clay more flexible, warp less, and hold more moisture.
What type of glaze does not have silica in it? (Silica makes it glossy)
Underglaze and Shino
When cleaning the table, why should you use Suprox instead of water?
Suprox contains hydrogen peroxide, which breaks down the clay faster.
When coning down, if your clay turns into a mushroom, what does that mean?
There is too much pressure on top compared to either your outside hand or the wheel speed (will except either).
What is the area of clay called that a lid sits on to keep it from falling?
Gallery
Can you attach a plastic piece of clay to a bone dry piece of clay? Why or why not?
No, there are different levels of moisture and they will not attach.
What happens when Potter's Choice glazes are layered over one another?
A chemical reaction that changes the color/appearance of the glaze.
Why do we wet clean?
Water weighs down the dust keeping us from breathing it in.
What type of lid sits inside the walls on a gallery?
Inset lid
What is the most efficient tool that can help you hollow out a solid chunk of clay?
Trim tool or Ribbon Tool
If you notice cracks between joints after a piece has been bisque-fired, what does that mean?
Clay was not compressed or married enough.
Tried to attach two different stages of clay.
Which line of MIDFIRE glazes can be mixed together to produce different colors, shades, and tints?
Celadons
What is the only way to remove dry footing wax from a bisque-fired piece?
Fire it in the kiln.
What is the maximum thickness a slab can be when placed on the slab roller? If it is thicker than this measurement you will break the roller.
2"