Ceramics

Geometric ceramics add a modern touch to any decor, but they can appear plain unless you decorate the forms with ceramics glaze. Although you can apply glaze over the entire surface of geometrically…

Ceramic insulation materials are used across the manufacturing industry. These materials are clay objects that have been fit into molds and fired in kilns to harden them. When designed properly, these…

Using enamel can will result in your ceramics being tougher and less likely to break. If you have access to a ceramics oven or work at a crafts studio, use a large oven for larger pottery items. If…

Hard surfaces such as ceramic need to be polished in order for them to become smooth. A smooth surface is more comfortable to handle and walk on, which is why textiles such as ceramic require…

Homemade ceramics occasionally have blistered glazes when you are finished with the piece. This happens during the processing of the clay or glaze. You can fix this by preparing the piece properly the…

A ceramic, or ceramic glass, range offers a sleek, smooth appearance that can add a touch of modern elegance to your kitchen. Its practical benefits are just as powerful. Ceramic cook tops provide…

Ceramic mugs are popular for drinking coffee, hot chocolate, tea and other hot beverages. Ceramic mugs have a high tolerance for heat, so they don't break or melt. And they keep beverages warmer…

If you are unsatisfied with your current fireplace surround, fixing the situation may seem like a daunting task. Fortunately, you can create an entirely new fireplace surround using stone veneer…

If you start to notice cracks and crumbling grout in your ceramic floors, poor installation and an unstable substrate are usually the culprits. It's also important to use proper cleaning products and…

Ceramic heaters work with ceramic tubes or rods and radiant heat, making ceramic space heaters an improvement over electric space heaters that work on electric coils. Safety features and clean heat…

Ceramic has been used for thousands of years for both function and artwork, with evidence of ceramic works dating back to 10,000 BC. Ceramic continues to be a common sight in households across the…

Ceramic Fossil bracelets are a type of watch wristband that uses ceramic links to fasten the watch to your wrist. According to the Fossil company website, ceramic watches offer an accessible sizing…

Vermiculite and ceramic are materials that you will find mentioned in hardware stores or during building projects. The two materials are both solids and share clay as a primary ingredient. However,…

Minoan is the term that refers to the culture and people of the island of Crete about 3000-1100 B.C. during the Bronze Age. This Cretan society is called "Minoan" after King Minos, the…

Whether you acquired a ceramic hob with your home or chose one for its sleek appearance, easy-to-clean surface and quick heating time, you need to be aware of some special considerations that come…

Ceramic coating is used on parts that are exposed to extreme heat, including heaters or exhaust pipes. Ceramic coating is sometimes referred to as "exhaust coating" or "high heat…

The exteriors of the NASA space shuttles contained ceramic-coated fabric between the protective outer layer of tiles. The purpose was to reduce the heat transfer that would otherwise cause them to…

After many years tightly pressed against a ceramic surface, old faucets can leave marks, rust and stains when removed. Small amounts of water may get under the faucet fixtures and leave…

With the kitchen being a central point in many homes, food can unite a family in minutes. Producing high-quality, enjoyable meals will keep them coming back to the table. Ceramic cookware is an…

Ceramic objects fashioned from clay, glazed and fired in a kiln can take on a variety of colors through the addition of pigments. These pigments include a mix of coloring and stabilizing agents such…

Carving is a technique used by pottery makers to add subtle details to their work. Even if you are just beginning to learn to throw pots on a potter's wheel, you can create highly artistic ceramic…

Ceramics is an age-old human art form. Archaeologists uncover and study pottery made by civilizations before recorded history. Cultures from every continent have contributed to ceramic techniques used…

Ceramic cookware contributes a smooth, sleek look to your kitchen with the flat, polished cooking surface. The heat distribution from a ceramic cooktop allows you to cook on lower heat than may be…

Watercolors are a universal medium used to paint everything from paper to canvas to ceramics. Most watercolors come in a tube or a dry plate, and require added water to dilute the pigment. This…

Crazing, also known as glaze crazing, is a common problem occurring on finished ceramic pieces. Crazing is a surface defect on fired ware that appears as a network of tiny cracks in the glaze. In…

If you drop anything made from ceramic, it will likely break. In a kitchen you can find all sorts of ceramic items ranging from coffee cups to dishes. You can usually find a few assorted nick-knacks…

Kohler offers a selection of vitreous china sinks, which is basically ceramic that has been intensely heated, covered or glazed with enamel. If you care for the sink properly by conducting routine…

A new barbecue grill is a welcome addition to summer cooking. When the weather warms up, it provides a way to maximize outdoor living and socializing. With a new gourmet grill, gone are the days of…

Ceramics require a firing process to dry and form pottery. The most common form of firing today involves kiln firing. Did you know that your toilet was fired in a kiln during production? If you do not…

Ceramics is a craft that requires learning techniques that are unique to working with clay. The clay goes through the processes of handbuilding, decorating and firing before the piece is complete. In…

A ceramic disc faucet is made with a special part called a cartridge. Inside the cartridge, two ceramic discs help regulate the water flow into the faucet. This type of faucet has many advantages over…

Coil pottery is an ancient technique where the potter uses ropes of clay coiled up into a cylinder shape to form the pot or jar. It does not require the use of a wheel, so anyone can make coil pottery…

The big blue plate slips out of our hands and breaks; the bright yellow coffee mug cracks after too many go-arounds in the microwave. Don't throw away your broken ceramic dishes and tiles. Wrap the…

Fixing a utilitarian ceramic mug is usually not worth the effort, because the cost of buying a new one is minimal. However, if you have a broken or chipped antique ceramic mug, you may want to invest…

A crucible is a container used in metal, glass and pigment production that can withstand very high temperatures that melt or alter the contents. Ceramic bone ash, also known as bone china, is a good…

Crafting utilitarian and decorative items out of clay is one of mankind's oldest endeavors, dating back tens of thousands of years. Many techniques for crafting clay dug from the ground and fired in a…

If your ceramic pieces are dated or unattractive and you want to refresh them, you can change their colors. Typically, ceramics are treated with glazes, which are colored solutions applied before the…

When a favorite china or porcelain item breaks slightly it is very tempting to simply glue the pieces back together. If done well this can form an almost invisible seal between the broken surfaces.…

Etched ceramic can make a big visual impact, especially when done by hand. Because etching actually digs into the surface of the ceramic, it’s less likely to fade or rub away than paint or…

"Onlay" is a dental term that refers to a material that is placed over a damaged tooth. It is an alternative to a crown. Unlike noticeable silver or gold crowns, ceramic onlays closely…

When your oven doesn't heat, recipes can be wasted and taste buds are left dissatisfied. Fortunately, you can take a few measures before you give up and call a repairman. However, do not hesitate to…

Nothing makes a bathroom look classier than a traditional porcelain enamel claw-foot tub, but looks aren't everything. While attractive, porcelain tubs are not necessarily the best option for…

A ceramic capacitor is a non-polarized capacitor that is made up of alternating layers of metal and ceramic materials. Capacitors are used to store electric charge and may be used as part of a tuning…

Ceramic logs are used in gas fireplaces. The logs resemble natural wood with many holes for the flames to move through. There are two kinds of ceramic logs: Vented logs require a chimney of some sort,…

Copper oxide ceramics have various industrial and technical applications such as the manufacture of electrical insulators. They possess chemical, physical and electrical properties that distinguish…

A ceramic backsplash can be a fairly inexpensive project that a handy homeowner can complete on her own. Most ceramic tile costs less than natural stone or other types of tile. Its nonporous quality…

Ceramic polishing machines are used to polish ceramic tiles and other ceramic products to give them a nice glossy finish. The machines are designed to give an even high-gloss finish that makes the…

The entire indoor plumbing system as we know came into being in the late 1800's. Many improvements to our indoor plumbing system are the result of technology and the need to conserve. Original toilets…

In dentistry, a crown is a dental accessory that covers a tooth or implant. Its purpose is to either improve the strength or aesthetic appeal of a tooth or to counteract the effects of aggressive…

Whether you are working with a handcrafted ceramic piece, a premade figurine or trying to resurface some old ceramic tiles, you have plenty of options on how to approach the project. When you are…

Aside from a yell of "fire," few sounds from the kitchen can be so disheartening as hearing the crack or smash of a favorite dish or plate breaking. For those ceramic pieces that have been in the…

FOSECO is a manufacturer of metal casting supplies such as molds, metal treatments, binders, and filters. Beginning the production of ceramic filters in the early 1980s, filters have since become…

Believed to have originated with the accidental burning of an Acoma Pueblo potter's hair onto a piece of hot pottery, the horse hair pottery technique involves application of individual horse hair…

Artists have molded ceramics for thousands of years to produce functional items such as pots or decorative figurines and statues. Pressing soft ceramic into molds takes less time and requires less…

Berndes makes several varieties of skillets, including nonstick versions made of aluminum cores, stainless steel and terra cotta ceramics. Cooking with a ceramic pot over a fire is different than…

Glaze is a layer of translucent paint often applied to ceramic sculptures and pieces of pottery for decorative effect. It can also be used to help strengthen or waterproof a ceramic piece. The glaze…

Some of the best painting techniques for pottery and ceramics include the use of specialized glazes. Each type of glaze paint is different and many require special attention to technique or procedure.…

It is believed that saunas, when used properly, can improve a person's health. Infrared heaters are becoming increasingly popular to use in saunas due to their emission of rays that are close to…

Kilns are high temperature ovens used for firing ceramics and glass. While many glass making arts require working directly with molten glass, fusing is a technique for forming art in the kiln. Glass…

A coaxial or coax cable is a copper cable used in communication and television systems; a hard line coax cable is generally used in either radio or television broadcasting communications. The hard…

Pit firing stoneware can be time consuming and involves quite a bit of precision to get good results. Producing pit-fired stoneware that is durable, functional and aesthetically pleasing takes…

Fused-glass vases are vases that have been molded by firing them in a kiln at temperatures as high as 1,500 degrees Fahrenheit. They add style and elegance to table tops and shelves, and their…

In order for a brake system to function properly, it is important that the brake pads and the rotor are compatible. To determine the correct combination calls for bedding-in that is realized through…

Recycling glass by turning it into art and decorative pieces is a great way to find uses for broken glass or old glass bottles. The items can be functional dishes, jewelry or sculpture. Glass can be…

Since prehistoric times, people have sculpted clay into many different kinds of objects. The types of clay available to these ancient people varied according to what could be found in their unique…

An aquarium can be an interesting and colorful decoration while serving as a life-sustaining device for small fish. If you want to decorate your aquarium with something besides rocks and plants, you…

Receiving a grant can be a pinnacle of an artist’s life. The money or workshop opportunity can help them find light at the end of the tunnel of a long road of hard work, paying the bills and…

The ceramic art of pottery is one of the most ancient crafts. Originally invented to make practical containers for liquids, ceramic pottery became an art form valued for its beauty as well as its…

Identifying ceramic artwork is usually possible by locating a maker's mark on the piece. Usually found on the base of the work, the maker's mark or stamp is the ceramic equivalent of an artist's…

High school art classes should explore a variety of artistic mediums. If the school has a budget for specialized ceramics equipment like a kiln and potter's wheels, many students will enjoy this…

Fountains don't have to be just for the garden these days. You easily can make a small countertop fountain for the kitchen or bathroom with items at your local craft store.

Art sculptures can be created out of many different materials, using many different methods. Sculptures can be formed by hand out of clay, carved from stone, built from metal, and even cast in molds.…

Slumping glass constitutes bending, or "slumping," fused glass over or into a mold. Glassworkers usually slump their medium over metal molds and into ceramic molds. To complete the slumping process,…

Creating a pot, a sculpture or other ceramic object can be a wonderful form of expression, allowing the artist to show his creativity in a 3-D medium. While much work goes into creating the shape of a…

Seraphim angels, like all ceramic statues, often break when they fall heavily against a hard surface and when they are subjected to undue pressure. However, all is not lost. If you have the broken…

Making a mobile is a great family craft project and a fun way to make gifts for friends and relatives. Polymer clay comes in almost any color you can think of, making it an easy way to make bright,…

Sculpted clay is one key to artistic creativity. Molds and firing methods ensure that brittle clay objects survive as ceramic "objets d'art." Today's carefully processed gypsum is the secret behind…

Firing up a ceramic kiln is an age-old tradition and method of creating beautiful pottery and glasswork. It must be done very carefully, following many safety precautions, as a kiln's temperatures can…

Firing glass in a kiln is not much different from firing pottery in a kiln. It must be completed very carefully with many safety precautions. A ceramic kiln is very common for firing glass. Just like…

Anyone can walk into a craft store. He can admire and buy an unpainted piece of pottery.The true hobbyist--who is interested in learning the basic ceramic techniques--can turn that same ordinary…

When drying a ceramic mug, make sure both sides dry at the same rate. Learn how to prepare a mug for the kiln from an artist in this free ceramics and pottery video.

When finishing ceramic mugs, make sure there's no water inside of the pot. Learn how to finish up on the wheel when throwing a mug from an artist in this free ceramics and pottery video.

When throwing the base of a ceramic mug, repeat the same process for the top, but make it wider. Learn how to throw a mug from an artist in this free ceramics and pottery video.

Gauge the thickness of clay for ceramic mug handles with the fingers. Learn how to pull handles when throwing a mug from an artist in this free ceramics and pottery video.

Trimming a ceramic mug helps decorate the clay. Learn how to prepare to trim a mug from an artist in this free ceramics and pottery video.

Measuring tools and clay are needed to make ceramic mugs. Learn the tools needed to throw a mug in this free ceramics and pottery video.

Use a sponge to pull clay up through the walls when making ceramic mugs. Learn how to pull clay through the walls when throwing a mug from an artist in this free ceramics and pottery video.

In order to make a set of ceramic mugs, measure the first mug that is made to compare. Learn how to measure a mug made by throwing clay from an artist in this free ceramics and pottery video.

Put a ceramic mug down to measure how big the handle should be. Learn about attaching handles when throwing a mug from an artist in this free ceramics and pottery video.

Slipping, in ceramics, is a process of gluing clay together. Learn about slipping and scoring when throwing a mug from an artist in this free ceramics and pottery video.

A drying rack for ceramic mugs is useful for drying multiple pieces. Learn drying tips when throwing a mug from an artist in this free ceramics and pottery video.

Trim the foot of a ceramic mug to create a lip on the bottom. Learn how to trim a foot when throwing a mug from an artist in this free ceramics and pottery video.

When making ceramic mugs, a pin tool can be used to center the cup. Learn how to center the mug on a wheel from an artist in this free ceramics and pottery video.

Making a ceramic mug is quite easily done on the potter's wheel. Learn how to throw a mug on the potter's wheel in this free video.

How to use molds to create pottery; learn this and more in this free video arts and crafts lesson taught by a pottery making expert.

After admiring pottery bowls at art fairs and ceramics shops, many people would like to know how to make their own. After learning to center and form a project's opening, its time to bring up the…

When you push the handle of your toilet nothing happens. You open the tank lid to take a look and the little chain that connects the toilet flapper to the handle has come undone. Don't sweat it; you…