Pottery Primitive, Production, Present An introduction to pottery and ceramic terms through early pottery methods. Production After a trip to a local pottery studio, we will discuss producing pottery for a living. Present After visiting a local university’s ceramic department, we will discuss making pottery as an art form.

Pottery Primitive Ware, such as plates, bowls, mugs, pots, vases, molded from moist clay then hardened by heat.

SouthWest Native American

What is clay? Is it that red stuff that gets all over my shoes and stains everything? Is it mud? It is play dough, right?

Clay is…… Al2O3 2SiO2 2H2O Alumina + Silica + Water Aluminum Oxide + Powder Glass+ Water

Potential Health Hazards with Clay Clay dries out skins quickly and can lead to cracking and bleeding of the skin over time. Clay contains powdered glass. Breathing clay dust over long periods of time can result in lung complications. (story time) Fired clay edges become very sharp. They can cut skin and fabric and may scratch surfaces. Some clay tools are very sharp and can cut skin.

Properties of Clay Heat Resistant (resists very high temps.) Malleable (very workable when wet) Versatile (used for many applications) Recyclable (unfired pieces can be reused)

Types of Clay High Fire (2300+ deg) Low Fire (1700-2000 deg) Stoneware (Tiles, bowls) Porcelain (Delicate plates, mugs, bowls) Low Fire (1700-2000 deg) Earthenware (Sculpture, jugs, bowls) Terra Cotta (Flower pots, exterior)

Earthenware Earliest pieces found in Mesopotamia around 5000 B.C. Used by the Egyptians before 2500 B.C. Used in Greece around 1000 B.C. This is some old stuff!

Hand building Using one’s hands and simple hand tools to shape and mold clay into forms.

Pinching The maker uses the palm and fingers to press the clay outward. This is the most simple form of hand building.

Pinching Method

Stages of Clay Wet Leather Hard Bone Dry Fired Contains water, workable, moldable. Leather Hard Has lost water, firm, slightly workable. Bone Dry Contains no moisture, hard yet brittle, ashy. Fired Hard, solid, non workable.

Finishing Burnishing Staining Smoothing out the clay by rubbing the surface with a smooth object. (spoon, leather, wooden spoon) Staining Watered down natural materials applied to the clay to add color and create designs. (red iron oxide)

Firing Bisque Fire The clay pieces are placed into the kiln at the Bone Dry stage. They are heated slowly to a temperature of around 1500 degrees. This hardens the pieces yet they are still porous. Firing slowly reduces the chance of and explosion due to an air pocket, water, or thermal shock.

Electric Kiln

Firing Primitive Pit Fire Ancient cultures (Egyptians, Greeks, Native American Indians) dug pits in the earth and loaded the pieced along with wood, leaves, etc. They would light the materials on fire and hours later the only thing left would be the fired pottery pieces. Many potters still use a kiln similar to the pit kiln. There are many variations that are used for different effects.

Pit Kiln

Pit Fired Pottery Examples www.robertcomptonpottery.com Pit Fired Pottery Examples

What will we do? We as a class will construct a working pit kiln. You will create a pinch pot decorated with native American Indian designs. We will prepare, load and fire the pit kiln with your pieces inside.

The End

Clay Pieces made to sell for a profit. Pottery Production Clay Pieces made to sell for a profit.

Production Pottery Ancient Cultures made pottery as a means of storing food and water and preparing meals. Some cultures used pottery as a way to preserve the remains of deceased people. Pottery as and art form and use has been made and sold for many years. As early as the 1600’s cultures were producing and selling pieces at markets and gatherings.

Slab Method Slab – a flat piece of clay that has been rolled out evenly. It can be cut, folded or wrapped around a shape. Pieces made with the slab method: plates, mugs, vases, boxes, containers, cups.

What will you do? You will produce two identical mugs. The weight, shape, and size should be the same. The designs and finishing can be different. You will be required to calculate the total cost for each mug. You will be required to price and sell your mug for a profit.

The catch……. All proceeds will be deposited into the Pottery account to pay for the projects that you will make and keep throughout the semester. By doing this, you avoid paying a class fee up front.

Calculating Cost You must determine how much clay you used. Weight your wet mug (s) Clay averages .30 per pound You must determine how much glazed was used. Estimate how many ounces of glaze you used. Glaze averages .72 per ounce

Calculating Cost Electrical Use (Kiln) 12.10 + 12.10 = 24.20 Kilowatts used x Hours used x cents per kw-hr. 110 kw x 11hr x .10 = 12.10 Bisque firing + Glaze Firing = Total Firing Cost 12.10 + 12.10 = 24.20 Divide 24.20 by the number of pieces in the kiln to determine individual cost.

Calculating Cost Cost Per Piece Profit Margin Clay cost + glaze cost + Kiln cost = Final Cost Profit Margin Selling Price – final cost = Profit margin. Ex. 12.00 – 5.33 = 6.67

Clay Pieces made as an art form. Pottery Present Clay Pieces made as an art form.