Making ceramics
Pottery can be a mild input, consuming little of your time, or it can become a major part of your life. If you are just starting out, it is a good idea to try pottery out or take our class. Learn how we do it.
Step 1
What is clay?
Clay is a natural product, which has decomposed from rock within the earth’s crust for millions of years. Before making a form, it needs to be wedged. Purpose of wedging is to remove air bubbles and create a homogeneous mass.
Step 2
Wheel throwing
Than clay is thrown on the pottery wheel. It is attached to the wheel head and shaped with hands as it spins around. The clay is bend between finger joints, stretched and forced upward. After the pot is formed it is cut off the wheel with wire to dry. When leatherhard, dried to certain point, it is trimmed and dried.
Step 2
Wheel throwing
Than clay is thrown on the pottery wheel. It is attached to the wheel head and shaped with hands as it spins around. The clay is bend between finger joints, stretched and forced upward. After the pot is formed it is cut off the wheel with wire to dry. When leatherhard, dried to certain point, it is trimmed and dried.
Step 3
Rolling
Rolling is a handbuilding technique , where clay is usualy rolled into slabs. Pieces are created by cutting slabs, pressing and attaching them together.
Step 4
First firing
Bone-dry pieces, which are extremely fragile are loaded into the kiln with a great care. First it is fired (bisqued) at a temperature of 980 C. During the firing the clay is dehydrated and at high temperature changed forever, it becomes a ceramic material.Firing takes about 12 hours and additional 12 to cool down. Slow cooling is crucial to avoid breaking.
Step 4
First firing
Bone-dry pieces, which are extremely fragile are loaded into the kiln with a great care. First it is fired (bisqued) at a temperature of 980 C. During the firing the clay is dehydrated and at high temperature changed forever, it becomes a ceramic material.Firing takes about 12 hours and additional 12 to cool down. Slow cooling is crucial to avoid breaking.
Step 5
Glazing
Next step in the process is glazig, than drying and second firing at much higher temperature. Glaze is a layer or coating of glass used to decorate and waterproof ceramics.
Step 6
Second – glaze firing
When loaded in the kiln, the pieces must not touch each other or the glazes will melt together, fusing the pots. The kiln is fired to the proper temperature to bring the clay and glazes to maturity. Each clay and glaze has its own temperature to be fired. We work with porcelain and stoneware, which is high temperature clay, therefore all the ceramics are fired in the range of 1200 to 1300 C.
Step 6
Second – glaze firing
When loaded in the kiln, the pieces must not touch each other or the glazes will melt together, fusing the pots. The kiln is fired to the proper temperature to bring the clay and glazes to maturity. Each clay and glaze has its own temperature to be fired. We work with porcelain and stoneware, which is high temperature clay, therefore all the ceramics are fired in the range of 1200 to 1300 C.
Step 7
Final touch
After a day of firing and cooling, the pieces are sanded, which adds finishing touch.
Workshops
POTTERY CLASSES
Learn how to create your own ceramics at one of Clayline’s pottery classes. Explore the world of pottery with our classes