Ceramics

Potters create vessels What are vessels? Vessel: a container (as a cask, bottle, kettle, cup, or bowl) for holding something

Clay Stages 1.Slip A slurry of clay and water, used as glue or for casting

Clay Stages 1.Slip 2.Wet clay Plastic enough to wheel throw or hand build

Clay Stages 1. Slip 2. Wet clay 3. Leatherhard Slightly dried clay that can be joined and carved

Clay Stages 1. Slip 2. Wet clay 3. Leatherhard 4. Greenware Bone-dry clay that is ready to be fired in the kiln.

Clay Stages 1. Slip 2. Wet clay 3. Leatherhard 4. Greenware 5. Bisqueware Fired clay that is ready to glaze and glaze fire.

Clay Stages 1. Slip 2. Wet clay 3. Leatherhard 4. Greenware 5. Bisqueware 6. Glazeware Finished ceramic piece, fired twice in the kiln

Wedging clay Knead clay with the palms of your hands to remove air bubbles which cause ceramics to explode in the kiln.

Forming methods Pinchpot Make a ball in your hands, push your thumbs in and then widen the hole with your fingers.

Forming methods Pinchpot Coil Make coil snakes and layer them to build onto pinchpot base.

Forming methods Pinchpot Coil Slab Attaching flat pieces of clay together.

Forming methods Pinchpot Coil Slab Drape Mold Flat clay draped over a form

Forming methods Pinchpot Coil Slab Drape Mold Slip Cast Liquid clay poured into a mold

Forming methods Pinchpot Coil Slab Drape Mold Slip Cast Wheel Thrown Wet clay formed On a spinning wheel

Underglazing Greenware Brush on underglaze for detailed designs. It is dripless and does not crack. After bisque firing, It remains the color brush on clear it appears before firing. glaze to waterproof.

Firing ceramics in the kiln A kiln is an oven that heats clay to a high temperature to remove all moisture from ceramics. This makes ceramics more durable and stable.

Glazing Bisqueware Brush three layers of glaze onto your bisqueware or dip it once. When dry, wipe all glaze from the bottom so it will not stick the kiln shelf. You may etch designs into the glaze so bisqueware shows through. Add clear glaze as a final waterproof coat.

Reclaiming clay Reclaiming clay is the process to make hardened clay plastic (wet clay) again. It is not possible to reclaim fired clay. Clay may be reclaimed indefinitely. Just add hardened clay to the reclaim bucket. The added water will soften the clay and it can be reused after some drying. The liquid clay in the reclaim bucket is slip.

Reclaiming clay

Joining Clay in the Leatherhard Stage Score (make velcro) Score (on other piece too) Wet (use a little slip) Wiggle (push the pieces together) Smooth!!! (the join should be invisible)

Ceramics Quiz Define the following terms in your own words. 1.Greenware6.Coil Method 2.Wedging7.Bisqueware 3.Kiln8.Vessel 4.Reclaiming9.Leatherhard 5.Wet clay10.Underglaze