Ceramics Terms

3. before firing. During the firing process this mixture coats the form, giving it a
4. Fine grained earth materials formed by the decomposition of igneous rocks; plastic when
5. durable surface. It can be colored, opaque, clear, translucent
8. No visible moisture and no dampness to the touch. Clay is ready to be fired.
10. Rolled, snake-like ropes of clay, joined together to build pots.
11. Pocket, Enclosed air spaces within clay that must be removed for they may cause ceramic
12. Three-dimensional shape and structure of an object. A shape having height, width and length.
13. One of the oldest art forms explored by mankind
14. Scratching or roughing-up the clay surface; used in combination with brushed-on slip, preparation step for joining two or more separate clay pieces together.
17. Construction processes that include pinching, coiling or building with slabs.
20. Finely ground clay particles mixed with water. 1) Used for joining two pieces of clay

1. propane, natural gas or wood.
2. The quality of a surface or how the surface feels
6. Objects made of clay fired to a high temperature, over 1550 degrees F.
7. strong when dry and rock hard when exposed to red heat
9. to explode or crack.
13. Starting with a ball of clay, the potter opens a hole with his thumb. Pinching the clay
15. A furnace or oven built of heat-resistant materials for firing pottery. Heat is produced by
16. To heat in a kiln (brick oven). A term used for “cooking” the clay.
18. his thumb on the inside and fingers on the outside, a bowl shape is formed.
19. A combination of miniscule clay and glass particles mixed with water; applied to bisque
20. Rolled flat sections of clay.