Ceramics Vocabulary

1. A gritty addition to clay that gives it strength.
5. Clay that is partially dried but still flexible.
8. Watered down clay that has the consistency of mud. Acts like glue when joining clay pieces together.
10. A machine with a rotating smooth steel disk on top which potters use the “throw” pots on.
11. To shape clay by pulling, pinching, or other manipulation with your hands.
12. The oven used to “fire” clay.
13. Clay that is very moist, soft, and easy to work with.
14. A Natural material found in the ground that becomes plastic when moistened and permanent when fired.
15. Clay that is completely dry and ready for firing. Wet clay may crack or explode in the kiln.

1. A layer of glass that is fused to the surface of a ceramic piece when fired. It is applied in liquid from with a paintbrush.
2. Scratching designs into wet clay.
3. The art of making objects of fired clay.
4. Pushing and turning a ball of clay to remove air bubbles.
6. Clay that has been fired and now permanent.
7. Pot A pot made by stacking coils on top of each other with a slab or coil base.
9. Clay that has dried out but not fired.
10. Pot A ball of clay that is pinched together with your fingers to create a pot.