Ceramic Terms & Techniques

Slab: a flat, Pinch Pot: a handbuilding method

rolled out where you use your fingers to press
piece of clay into a small hollow bowl shape.
clay.

Coil: a rope of clay, rolled Pin or Needle Tool: pointed Wire Tool: wire stretched
out with your fingers. needle used for incising into between
the clay. 2 handles used for cutting clay.

Wedging: getting all the air bubbles out of the clay – air bubbles can cause the clay to
explode in the kiln (it’s science: hot air expands).

Score & Slip: a

method
of attaching 2 pieces
of clay.

Kiln: a furnace, oven, or heated enclosure used to heat the clay to keep its shape
permanently.

Firing: heating the clay in the kiln at high temperatures which fuses the clay particles and
makes the shape permanent..
 States of Clay

Greenware: clay that hasn’t been fired.. Bisqueware: fired clay – ready to be painted
or glazed.
Leather hard: moist but not moveable without
cracking it – great stage for carving into. Glazeware: clay that has been glazed and
fired a second time.
Bone dry: ALL water has evaporated from clay
– looks chalky and is ready to be fired – very
fragile! * Will not turn back into soft
clay.

*Will turn back into soft clay if put back in a bucket of water.