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An Introduction to Clay

An Introduction to Clay. What is clay?. Clay = earth + water. Silica - an essential ingredient in clay and glazes. When melted, becomes glass. Clay can also contain: Grog – ground up, fired clay or sand. Makes clay feel gritty. Iron oxide (red clay only) Other minerals.

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An Introduction to Clay

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  1. An Introduction to Clay

  2. What is clay?

  3. Clay = earth + water Silica - an essential ingredient in clay and glazes. When melted, becomes glass. Clay can also contain: Grog – ground up, fired clay or sand. Makes clay feel gritty. Iron oxide (red clay only) Other minerals

  4. More basic clay vocabulary kiln- super hot oven where clay is fired cone - temperature at which clay or glaze needs to be fired. Lower numbers are hotter (i.e., cone 4 is hotter than cone 6) vitrifying / vitrification- clay particles melt together to become glass-like and less porous Earthenware - fires at relatively low temperature (cone 4-6, about 1800-2000 degrees F). Porous when fired. (other kinds of clay include porcelain and stoneware)

  5. Stages of Clay 1. Slip- watered down clay; muddy 2. Plastic - workable stage; can be recycled; can join to other pieces 3. Leather Hard - stiff and will hold its shape; join to other pieces; carve into; recycle 4. Greenwareor bone dry; very fragile; can be recycled 5. Bisqueware- fired once in kiln; cannot be recycled; ready to be glazed 6. Glazeware- second fire-low fire; cannot be recycled

  6. Silica dust is harmful when inhaled! Silicosis - causes swelling in lungs, shortness of breath. Severe cases may need lung transplant. Carcinogen - can cause cancer

  7. How do we keep our studio safe?

  8. Safety & Clean-up Protocols * Sand outside * Clean up with damp rag or sponge * Clean sponges often (squeeze under the faucet) * Neversweep up or vacuum clay dust * Do not blow on clay dust

  9. clay kitteh sez: I SITS ON DUSTPAN SO U NO GET SILLY-COSIS

  10. Working with the Slab slab - rolled out clay slab roller rolling pin/slats

  11. surface treatment: texture

  12. Slab mugs by Elaine Pinkernell Tiles by Susan Cohen Thompson Slab box by high school student

  13. Fountain by Mary Holden-Hall Ceramic basket by Shuji Ikeda Slab sculpture by Jayne Avery

  14. Today's mission: * Become more familiar with clay studio * Use studio equipment to roll slabs * First slab assignment: construct a tile or trivet Later: Basic students: Create a mug using slab technique Advanced students: Design independent projects that involve slab technique Much later: basic firing & glazing

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