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In its many forms, Pottery accents our homes or graces our dining tables. Pottery is an ancient art form that has been passed down through archeology, anthropology and history. Pottery is a durable substance that lasts for thousands of years after the people of a place cease to exist. Other less durable substances disintegrate or... more »
Working with pottery clay is a popular hobby, enjoyed by all ages. Pottery clay is often introduced to children in art classes, sometimes leading to lifetime hobbies and careers. When first experimenting with clay, many people don't realize there are many different clays they can use to create pottery. Rather than select just any... more »
Just say "Pottery Barn," and women (and men) everywhere get out their credit cards. With its affordable style and huge collection of goods, Pottery Barn has got something for everyone. Whether you shop at the retail stores or online, you are sure to find something to get your heart racing. A thriving business and well-known brand,... more »
Pottery is an art that has been around for ages. That means broken pottery has been around just as long. Just because your favorite planter broke into a dozen chunks, it doesn’t have to be junk. You can use broken pottery for a number of creative endeavors. more »
Poole Pottery has played an important role in the art and design movements of the past two centuries, including original contributions to periods and designs that include late Victorian, Art Nouveau, Art Deco and Modernism. more »
Learn different ways to work with a pottery wheel, add decorative touches to your pottery...
Paint your own handmade pottery or apply these tips and techniques to the pottery you can find...
Learn the basics as you begin to explore the world of making pottery. Specific pottery ‘how to’...
Your head won't be spinning with questions after you explore the basics of using a pottery...
McCoy pottery was an industry leading company in its time. It is still known as a company that produced quality pieces, even though the company... more »
Once you purchase the proper clay for pottery, consider the type of shape you'd like to create. Many sizes, shapes and styles are possible using... more »
Learning how to use a pottery wheel takes lots of clay, patience and practice. Initially, you may create some rather interesting and off-balance... more »
Picasso, Matisse, Crate & Barrel. Pottery is just about everywhere you look today. Anyone can create pottery whether by hand or using a pottery... more »
The Comanche Indians were a fierce, nomadic tribe known for their use of horses to spread and control their domination of southern Colorado,... more »
Pottery is the ceramic ware made by potters. Major types of pottery include earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain. The places where such wares are made are called potteries. Pottery is one of the oldest human technologies and art-forms, and remains a major industry today. Ceramic art covers the art of pottery, whether in items made for use or purely for decoration.
Background
Pottery is made by forming a clay body into objects of a required shape and heating them to high temperatures in a kiln to induce reactions that lead to permanent changes, including increasing their strength and hardening and setting their shape. There are wide regional variations in the properties of clays used by potters and this often helps to produce wares that are unique in character to a locality. It is common for clays and other minerals to be mixed to produce clay bodies suited to specific purposes.
Prior to some shaping processes, air trapped within the clay body needs to be removed. This is called de-airing and can be accomplished by a machine called a vacuum pug or manually by wedging. Wedging can also help to ensure an even moisture content throughout the body. Once a clay body has been de-aired or wedged, it is shaped by a variety of techniques. After shaping it is dried before firing. There are a number of stages in the drying process. Leather-hard refers to the stage when the clay object is approximately 75-85% dry. Clay bodies at this stage are very firm and only slightly pliable. Trimming and handle attachment often occurs at the leather-hard state. Clay bodies are said to be "bone-dry" when they reach a moisture content at or near 0%. Unfired objects are often termed greenware. Clay bodies at this stage are very fragile and hence can be easily broken.
Methods of shaping
The potters most basic tool is the hand. However, many additional tools have been developed over the long history of pottery manufacturing, including the potters wheel and turntab read more at » http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pottery
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