1. Wedging ~ the process of mixing the clay by hand by rotating and pressing a clay ball on a surface. The purpose is to thoroughly homogenize the clay and to remove all air bubbles.
2. Construction ~ handbuilding or throwing
Pinch pot
Coil Construction
Slab construction
Carving & Modeling can be done with any construction method
The ceramic process (continued)
3. Leatherhard ~ Clay that is partially dry to be slightly stiff. Some slab construction and carving is best done in this stage.
4. Greenware ~ unfired pottery that is bone dry. In this stage, the clay is most fragile
5. Bisque Fire ~ The process of firing unglazed greenware in order to harden the clay
6. Bisqueware
Unglazed pottery that has been fired to a low temperature in order to harden the clay and make it more durable for glazing.
7. Glaze ~ a mixture of chemicals in a liquid state that when fired to high temperatures fuses to a ceramic surface and creates a glassy coating. The process of applying glaze to a clay surface.
8. Glaze fire ~ The kiln reaches temperatures over 2200F during glaze firing. This causes the powdered glaze to transform into a strong, glassy coating.