1. 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.

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

3. SouthWest Native American

4. 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?

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

6. 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.

7. 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)

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

9. 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!

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

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

12. Pinching Method

13. 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.

14. 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)

15. 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.

16. Electric Kiln

17. 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.

18. Pit Kiln

19. Pit Fired Pottery Examples
Pit Fired Pottery Examples

20. 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.

23. The End

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

25. 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.

26. 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.

31. 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.

32. 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.

33. 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

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

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

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