the process of mixing and turning clay to remove air bubbles and create uniform consistency in
the clay
Score:
to draw or scratch lines into the clay surface, to connect two pieces of clay or add texture
Slip:
watered down clay used as the “glue” to connect pieces of clay. Slip can also be applied to clay to
give it a smooth finish or be used as decoration
Slip and Score:
a technique used to connect two pieces of clay by scratching into the surfaces of each
piece of clay and then applying slip to the scored pieces before pressing the pieces together
Incising:
a decoration technique in which lines are carefully drawn into a clay surface
Stamping:
a decorative technique in which forms or stamps are pressed into the clay to create patterns
and textures. Stamping can be done with found objects or stamps can be made
Sgraffito:
a decorative technique developed centuries ago where leather-hard clay is coated with slip of a
contrasting color. A pattern/picture/words are carved through the slip revealing the color of the clay
underneath. Or carving takes place first and slip is inlayed and excess is scraped off
Slip Trailing:
a decorative technique where slip is applied to greenware through a tube or nozzle much like
icing a cake
Marbling:
using two different colors of clay spiraled together. Or two different colors of slip.
Burnishing:
the ancient rubbing process of burnishing polishes the outside skin of a clay pot
Stain: oxide and water, used as a colorant for bisque
Firing:
a process in which clay is heated to high temperatures in a kiln, which melts the silica sand in the clay and when it cools turns to glass, making the form permanent.
Kiln:
a furnace of refractory clay bricks used to heat pottery or fuse glass. Kilns are heated either by
electric coils, gas, or wood
Pyrometric Cones:
a triangular piece of material that indicates the temperature by bending or melting when the kiln reaches a certain temperature
Stilts:
a small piece of clay and wire, used to keep a pot away from the kiln floor. Stilts are most often used
in a glaze firing to keep the clay pieces from sticking to the shelf or kiln.