Words of the Week
Bisque Firing: the act of pre-firing clay without glaze to create a porous and durable ceramic capable of accepting a glaze. The finished pre-glazed product may be known as bisque ware or more simply a biscuit.
Ceramic: of or relating to the manufacture of any product (such as earthenware, porcelain or brick) made essentially from a nonmetallic mineral (such as clay) by firing at a high temperature.
Crazing: is the appearance of a web of small hairline cracks on the surface of a glazed piece of pottery. The cracks only run as deep as the glazing, so the body underneath normally remains intact. Crazing can occur during the firing process or afterwards and is caused when too much tension is applied to the glaze.
Glaze: is a liquid suspension of finely ground minerals that are applied onto the surface of bisque-fired ceramics. After the glaze dries, the ceramic item is placed into a kiln and fired at a temperature where the glaze ingredients melt together and form a shiny surface.
Pottery: Decorative and/or functional objects made of clay, hardened with heat. Pottery can be subdivided into three main types: earthenware, porcelain and stoneware.
Slip: A cream-like mixture of clay and water used in the process of producing ceramic objects by means of pouring the slip into a mould.