The stage after drying from the plasic state. It is firm enough to pick up without distorting, but still somewhat workable. It is cool and damp to the touch.
What is Leather Hard
100
When you stamp something into clay to make a pattern.
What is Impressing
100
Working clay on a pottery wheel.
What is Throwing
100
An ovenlike chamber that makes ceramic pieces permanent when heated to a high temperature.
What is a kiln.
100
The top edge of the ceramic cup
What is the rim
200
Wet, very flexible, workable, pliable.
What is Plastic
200
A thin, glassy layer on the surface of pottery. This makes a piece waterproof and safe to eat off of.
What is glaze
200
Creating clay pieces by hand using one technique or a combination of multiple techniques.
What is handbuilding
200
Before using the clay, it is kneaded, worked by hand. The three reasons for doing this are to remove air bubbles, bring the clay to an even, workable consistency and to align clay particles.
What is Wedging
200
The bottom of a ceramic cup.
What is the foot.
300
Air-dried, very fragile.Clay is ready to be fired in the kiln. It is no longer cold to the touch and is lighter in color.
What is Greenware
300
Drawing into the surface of clay in order to create a design.
What is incising.
300
Clay pieces are formed by pinching the clay with your fingers.
What is Pinch
300
The proper place to store clay so that it retains moisture and remains workable.
What is a plastic bag.
300
Spin the wheel at a moderate to fast speed. With wet hands and clay, use the left hand as a guide, and press down with the right hand, begin to force the clay to the center of the wheel.
What is centering.
400
Clay has been fired in the kiln once at a low temperature.
It is ready to be glazed.
What is Bisqueware
400
When you add additional clay to create a design.
What is Applique
400
Clay is rolled or pressed into a flat piece that is used to build the piece.
What is slab
400
The proper way to join two pieces of clay together.
What is slip and score.
400
Squeeze the clay between fingertips and in one motion, move fingers upward. Repeat until you get the desired thickness, usually about 1/4 inch.
What is pulling up the walls.
500
The process by which ceramic ware is heated in a kiln to bring clay or glaze to maturity.
What is firing.
500
Sculptural form in which designs are carved in a flat area of clay. The designs project only slightly from the background rather than standing freely.
What is relief
500
Clay is rolled into cylinders, or solid tubes. Coils are stacked and joined to create forms.
What is coil
500
To join clay by working the edges together. To be successful, both pieces must be the same consistency.
What is Blending
500
Use your thumb to find the center of the clay and press down with the thumb, using your other hand to hold your thumb still. Be careful to leave enough clay for the bottom of the piece.