The Process of Pottery
Sketch
All designs begin on paper as a sketch before being translated to clay.
Weigh
The appropriate amount of clay is weighed for precision and consistency.
Wedge
The clay is then wedged to remove air pockets. This crucial step ensures proper consistency and prevents cracking when in the kiln.
Compress
Next, the clay is compressed into the initial ball form. Now the clay is ready to be thrown.
Throw
Each ball of clay is thrown, or crafted, on the potter’s wheel to the designed shape and thickness. By first centering the clay into an even, symmetrical mound, the pots are then formed and altered in this wet, malleable state.
Trim
After drying to leather hard consistency, the pot is turned over and trimmed to its final form by removing unwanted clay from the throwing stage.
Dry
The pots are then left to dry to a bone-dry state. At this stage, the piece is called greenware.
Bisque Fire
The greenware is then loaded carefully into the kiln for the bisque firing. This first firing gradually reaches about 1700 Fahrenheit and transforms the clay pots into ceramic material.
Wax
After the first firing, the bottom of the bisque fired pot is waxed to prevent the glaze from sticking to the kiln.
Glaze
The bisqueware is then glazed and decorated with various colors and oxides. These liquid applications soak into the pots and are now ready for their final firing.
Glaze Fire
The decorated pots are fired for a second time, reaching around 2300 degrees Fahrenheit. This final firing transforming the pot into ceramic that is now resistant to water and time.
Enjoy
After about a weeklong process, the ceramic pot is ready to be used!