Clay Vocabulary

2. A long rolled (snake shape) piece of clay.
4. A small cone shaped piece of clay used inside the kiln to automatically shut the kiln off at the correct temperature
5. Creating vessels on a potter’s wheel.
10. Liquid glass put on bisqueware to have a decorative coating or finish.
11. Firing point at which a claybody or glaze reaches its desired condition of hardness or color.
12. The first time clay is fired.
14. The term used to describe clay that has dried out and is ready to be fired, it changes to a lighter color and is very fragile
18. The act of smashing dried clay to a powder, adding water, and then drying it out to reuse it.

1. The quality of clay which allows it to be manipulated, shaped, and molded without cracking or crumbling, workability.
3. To make scratches on the surface of the clay before putting two pieces together.
6. To knead the clay or push on it repeatedly to help remove air bubbles and extra moisture
7. A mixture of clay and water used like glue, used in combination with scoring.
8. The term used to describe clay that has been fired once
9. To harden; turn to stone. A glassy, non-porous state caused by heat.
12. The term used to describe unfired clay that is free of water, only contains the amount of moisture in the atmosphere. It is ready to be fired.
13. The process of heating the clay in the kiln.
15. A flattened piece of clay
16. The type of "oven" used throughout the firing process.
17. A method of making pottery in which a ball of clay is pressed, pulled, and pinched into a shape with the hands. The thumb is usually used to open the center.