Clay, Clay, and More Clay

1. Clay, Clay, and More Clay

2. Greenware • Clay prior to firing

3. Leather Hard • Clay has become more firm, but still plastic enough to attach clay to it or carve into it

4. Bone Dry • Clay has lost all plasticity and moisture • Can still be soaked in water to regain moisture • Clay must be bone dry prior to being fired in the kiln • Clay is very fragile in this state

5. Bisque Firing • The first round of firing clay • Clay changes color and becomes hard • It cannot be soaked in water to manipulate • Now, it can be glazed

6. Glaze Firing • What is glaze? • A surface coating on top of clay once it has gone through bisque firing • What is it made from? • Glaze contains silica, which forms glass

7. Glaze Firing • Things to keep in mind while glazing • Use a soft bristled brush to glaze • If the entire clay body is glazed and set flat on the shelves in the kiln, the piece will adhere (stick) to the surface • Too little glaze will create an uneven coat and transparent look • Too much glaze will cause the glaze to run during glaze firing