Clay Types
A low fire clay. Porous and not waterproof. This clay type is EXTREMELY fragile
What is Greenware
Clay is rolled out dough-like, shapes are cut from it and the pieces cut from this technique are slipped, scored and built geometrically.
This is fresh clay out of the bag. The clay is easily manipulated and bent.
What is Plastic Stage?
Tiny red pyramids put into the kiln to assist the Potter in determining if the kiln went to temperature. These will slump over and give the perfect curl if it is at temperature.
What is a Pyrometric Cone?
This tool is used to smoothly cut clay from the bag.
What is a wire cutter?
A brownish-orange earthenware clay body commonly used for ceramic sculpture.
What is Terra Cotta?
What are Pinch Pots?
No visible moisture to the clay - prefired.
What is the Bone Dry Stage?
A firing atmosphere with ample oxygen - usually found with electric kilns.
What is Oxidation?
This tool is used in wheel throwing to assist the potter in shaping the interior or exterior of their piece, usually made of metal or wood.
What is a Rib?
A high fire clay. Is waterproof even without glaze, and the resulting ware is more durable.
What is Wheel Throwing?
A damp condition of the clay when it is too firm to bend, and can be easily carved, and slip and scored together.
What is the Leather Hard Stage?
A firing atmosphere with inadequate oxygen for firing, usually found with wood or gas firings.
What is Reduction?
This helps the potter wedge clay when they do not have a formal clay studio. It can be easily transported, and assists the drying process of clay.
What is a WedgeBoard?
Made in China and Korea around 960 AD, this clay is a mix of kaolin (a pure, white, primary clay), silica and feldspar. When fired properly, it can take on the appearance of glass.
What is Porcelain?
One of the oldest ways of forming pottery. Long strands of clay are formed and laid on top of each other, smoothing them into compressed walls.
What is Coiled Pottery?
Clay that has been fired once at 1550 degrees, but has not been glazed yet.
What is Bisqueware?
The furnace in which ceramics are fired.
What is a Kiln?
A cup of this will help you get rid of "clay boogers".
What is Water?
Objects made of clay that have been fired sufficiently high in temperature (usually 1550 degrees F) for a chemical change to take place.
What is Ceramic?
This is the correct way of adhering clay to itself by using liquid clay as "glue"
What is Slip and Score?
Any unfired piece ready or nearly ready for bisque.
What is Greenware?
A glassy, non porous state caused by heat or fusion for glazes.
What is Vitrify/vitrification?
At the beginning of any project, you need one of these.
What is a Plan?