Clay Terms

• Bisque Fire - First firing at lower temperature to make pots less fragile.
• Ceramic - A clay object made into a permanent shape by firing in a kiln.
• Bone Dry - Unfired clay that is free of water, only contains the amount of moisture in atmosphere.
• Clay - A moist earth of decomposed rock; used in products such as pottery, bricks, tiles, and sculpture.
• Coiling - A method of creating pots by building bottom and walls with even, ropelike coils aka “snakes”.
• Firing - Heating ceramic clays and glazes to maturity.
• Greenware - Unfired, but dried clay pieces.
• Glaze - A coating of glass which is fused to the surface of a clay body during firing. It serves to prevent the penetration of liquids, present a good wearing, easily cleaned surface, and decorate. Can be shiny or matte.
• Kiln - A special furnace that reaches high temperatures used for firing clay products; types include: electric, gas, or wood-fired.
• Leather Hard - The damp but stiffened stage in drying clay. Handles and other additions applied at this point.
• Loop Tools - Tools with ribbons of wire for shaping and trimming ceramic objects.
• Nonfunctional - Created mainly for decoration rather than practical use.
• Plasticity - The quality of clay which allows it to be manipulated, shaped, molded without cracking or crumbling; workability.
• Pinched Method - A method of making pottery in which a ball of clay is pressed, pulled, and pinched into a shape with the hands. The thumb is usually used to open the center.
• Scoring - Making marks on the edges to two pieces of clay before joining with slip.
• Slab Method - A method of making pottery in which a thick, flat plate, or slice, of clay is cut into shapes which are joined to form an object. The joined edges are scored and slip is used.
• Slip - Clay diluted with water to the consistency of cream, used for joining pieces of clay.
• Throwing - Creating vessels on a potter’s wheel.
• Wedging - To force air bubbles out and align clay particles to form a good working texture (wet clay). Kneading moist clay.
• Wheel - For making pots; driven by hand, foot, or electric power.