1. CERAMICS CLAY SLAB platter CLAY SLAB platter

2. CLAY  Mud; moist, sticky dirt.  In ceramics, clay is fine- grained,firm earthy material that is plastic when wet, brittle when dry, and very hard when heated.  Mud; moist, sticky dirt.  In ceramics, clay is fine- grained,firm earthy material that is plastic when wet, brittle when dry, and very hard when heated.

3. The most common types of ceramic clays are:  earthenware,  stoneware, and  porcelain.  earthenware,  stoneware, and  porcelain.

4. Earthenware  Earthenware is a low-fire clay that is porous and not waterproof.  It can be made waterproof by glazing it.  You will use earthenware clay to roll out a slab and create a ceramic plate.  Earthenware is a low-fire clay that is porous and not waterproof.  It can be made waterproof by glazing it.  You will use earthenware clay to roll out a slab and create a ceramic plate.

5. Clay Slab  You will be given a ball of clay and and a plate template.  Use your palms to flatten clay into a 1 inch thick circular clay slab.  You will be given a ball of clay and and a plate template.  Use your palms to flatten clay into a 1 inch thick circular clay slab.

6. Clay Slab  Keeping the slab circular, use a rolling pin to even the surface.

7. Clay Platter  When the slab is large enough, lay the plate template upside-down on the clay slab. Keeping the clay on the plate, flip the plate so it is right side up.

8. Clay Platter  Use finger tips to gently mold and smooth the clay into the shape of the plate.  Use a tool to cut access clay from around edge and smooth.  A small clay “ snake ” may be added to the outside edge  Use finger tips to gently mold and smooth the clay into the shape of the plate.  Use a tool to cut access clay from around edge and smooth.  A small clay “ snake ” may be added to the outside edge

9. Leather-hard This is the first stage of drying. There is still moisture in the clay, but it is just dry enough to hold its shape and not “ slump ” This stage of drying is called leather-hard. The clay can be taken from the template at this stage.

10. Bone Dry  When finished, your greenware plate needs to be thoroughly dry before it can be fired.  This stage of drying is called bone dry.  When finished, your greenware plate needs to be thoroughly dry before it can be fired.  This stage of drying is called bone dry.

11. Greenware - Bisque  Fired clay is called Bisque ware  Unfired clay  Is called Green ware

12. Firing  Clay is hardened by heating it to a high temperature, thus fusing the clay particles. Temperature in kilns can reach 2500 degrees.

13. Glaze  The bisque clay plate is now ready to be glazed.  Glaze is a coating of material applied to ceramics that forms a glass-like surface when fired a second time.  The bisque clay plate is now ready to be glazed.  Glaze is a coating of material applied to ceramics that forms a glass-like surface when fired a second time.