Clay & Sand for Making Pottery
As long as people have inhabited the Earth, they have constructed pottery from clay soils. Over time, different cultures around the world have developed their own styles of pottery. After construction, pottery is fired in a kiln or fire pit to help it harden. Potters paint and glaze hardened pottery to create colorful designs on finished wares. Today, pottery is a common artisan craft used to make decorative pieces and functional dishes. In addition to clay, basic sand can be used as a sculpting medium.
Other People Are Reading
-
Types
-
According to the Artistic Tile and Stone website, pottery has been part of the human culture for more than 8,000 years. The first examples of pottery, created by the Jomon people of Japan, date from 10,500 B.C. to 400 B.C. Ancient examples of pottery have also been found throughout the former Roman Empire, Iran, North America and South America. According to Minnesota State University, different kinds of clay can be used to create different forms of pottery. There are three common forms of pottery, including earthenware, stoneware and porcelain. Earthenware pottery is created from clay with a slightly gritty texture. The clay is baked in a kiln or fire pit until it becomes hard and covered with a glaze to render porous clay waterproof. Stoneware is commonly used for dishes, vases and other vessels. It is fired at a higher temperature, close to 1,200 degrees F, which causes the clay to become nonporous. Stoneware and porcelain pottery both developed in ancient China. Porcelain pottery differs from stoneware because it is made from fine clay containing few impurities. Porcelain pieces are fired at temperatures between 1,400 and 2,600 degrees F. Finished pieces are nearly transparent. Like earthenware, porcelain is fired once, a glaze is applied and it is fired again.
Techniques
-
Creating clay pottery can be done by novice crafters and skilled artisans. Early pottery was molded by hand, and often designs were pinched into the clay. Pinch pots are one of the simplest methods of pottery construction and ideal for the new potter. Another simple method for creating pottery is the coil method. Clay is rolled in coils that are stacked on top of one another, and a potter uses his hands to smooth the coils together. According to the Minnesota State University website, the invention of the potter’s wheel changed the way pottery was made. It allowed pottery to be rotated, and more complex designs began to be created.
-
Decorating Pottery
-
Just as there are many methods for creating clay pottery, decorating pottery has a long history. Ancient pottery, especially that from Asia and Europe, was decorated with carved and imprinted designs, according to the Artistic Tile and Stone website. Glazes, painted on the fired pottery, is another common decorating technique. There are many types of glazing techniques and types, including glazes made from salt, wood ash, sand and traditional paints.
Sand Clay Recipe
-
Sand clay is a simple way to turn sand into a clay-like substance. According to the Pottery Magic website, sand becomes hard in a similar way to clay, allowing people to create sculptures. Make sand clay at home by mixing together 1 cup of beach sand, ½ teaspoon alum, ¼ cup of corn starch and 1 cup of water. According to the Thrify Fun website, it is necessary to heat all ingredients in a large pot over medium heat. Stir the mixture steadily and until the mixture begins to become stiff.
Simple Craft Ideas
-
Sand clay is an ideal medium for simple pottery projects, according to the Pottery Magic website. Mix food coloring into batches of sand clay to create a colored version. Use it to create casts of objects like handprints and seashells. It is an ideal medium for building sand castles somewhere other than the beach. Also, create a fun textured picture frame by pressing sand clay into a wooden frame.
-
References
- Photo Credit pottery image by Avesun from Fotolia.com
