1. Clay Stages

2. Clay Stages - what?
The nature of clay changes with it’s moisture content.
It’s physical properties and possibilities change progressively as it dries.
Unprepared clay in it’s natural state is called raw clay

3. Stage 1 Slip Clay and water mixed to produce a liquid
More water added = more shrinkage
Sometimes used as a decoration:
Colored Slips
Engobes
Can be poured

4. Stage 2 Slurry
Very thick slip
Used as a glue for sticking two pieces of leather hard clay together
Not thin enough to be poured, but thick enough to stick to your fingers

5. Sufficiently hard and dry to allow modeling and manipulation
Stage 3 Plastic
Sufficiently hard and dry to allow modeling and manipulation
“Right out of the bag”
Does not stick to your fingers and can be manipulated. This clay has the consistency of bread dough

6. Stage 4 Leather Hard Partly dry clay
Feels solid, yet may be cut, carved, stamped, and stuck together with slurry
Can not be manipulated like bread dough, but can still have more clay attached to it

7. Stage 5 Green ware Dry, unfired work Lost weight and shrunk
Color has changed and the clay can no longer be joined together
Can no longer have more clay attached to it, but will dissolve and turn to slip
This is the last stage of clay that can be recycled!!!!!!!!

8. Will not dissolve in water, but will let water pass through it
Stage 6 Bisque
First kiln fire
Complete change in nature and color
Retains shape in water and is now porous
Can now be decorated with glazes
Will not dissolve in water, but will let water pass through it

9. Stage 7 Mature Second, glaze fire Hard, rock-like Vitrified
Water will not pass through it

10. Clay Stages, why is knowing about them important to potters?