Clay 101, Basics & Concepts
A natural material from Earth, formed from weathering and decomposition of rocks over a long period time.
What is clay?
The is the name for the first stage of clay.
What is slip?
Tool used to slice clay in half
What is a wire tool?
What is the technique of kneading the clay.
What is wedging?
The term for the stage of clay that is over-saturated, very wet. It looks muddy.
Alumina, silica and water
What are the three main ingredients in clay?
This is the name for the 2nd stage of clay.
Plastic
Protective gear that should be worn over the clothing while working with clay
What is an apron?
A term used to describe ceramic forms meant to be used.
What is functional ceramics?
The term for the stage of clay that it is soft and moldable.
What is plastic?
A phrase to describe the various phases clay goes through when exposed to water, air, and heat.
What are the 6 Stages of Clay?
This is the name for the 3rd stage of clay.
What is leather-hard?
A high temperature oven for firing ceramics.
What is a kiln?
A term used to describe ceramic forms meant to be viewed only.
What is sculptural ceramics?
The term to describe clay when it starts to dry out. It feels slightly stiff or firm. Can bend slightly, but cracks easily.
What is leather-hard?
People use clay to make building materials like these.
What are bricks and tiles?
This is the name for the 4th stage of clay.
What is bone dry?
A non-stick surface used to wedge clay on.
What is a canvas board?
An approach for building ceramic objects with only your hands.
What is hand-building?
The term to describe clay when it is completely dry, crumbles apart, and is dusty, chalky and powdery.
What is bone-dry?
This material is made of ground-up fired clay and can be added in some types of clay.
What is grog?
The name for the 5th stage of clay.
What is bisque ware?
A machine that has a rotating platform used to shape clay.
What is a pottery wheel?
A technique where clay is squeezed and shaped into an open, rounded form.
What is the pinch technique?
The term used to describe clay when it has been fired in the kiln for the first time. Clay is permanently hard.
What is bisque ware?