1. Ceramics Clay Life Cycle

2. Stage 1  Clay is quarried from the earth, processed and packaged for production

3. Stage 2  Wedging – The clay gets kneaded and folded to remove any air bubbles

4. Stage 3  Forming – The clay is made into a product using coiling, slab, pinch, or wheel method(s). Clay must be sealed tightly in a plastic bag to prevent drying.

5. Stage 4  Leather Hard – Once the clay has been able to dry slightly, it will become rigid. At this stage, pieces may still be added, and designs can be carved into the clay. The piece may be handled without loosing its shape. Under glaze may also be applied at this time.

6. Stage 5  Greenware – When the clay has completely dried from the leather hard stage, it will become lighter in color. Greenware is VERY FRAGILE!!! At this stage the piece should be handled very carefully and as little as possible. It is no longer possible to add or remove pieces. If water is added at this stage it will promote cracking.

7. Stage 6  The greenware may be placed in the kiln for bisque firing  Or  The greenware may be broken into small pieces and water may be added to create slip or to reclaim the clay.

8. Breakage Causes During Bisque Firing  There are several reasons why your clay piece may break during firing. It is important to try to avoid these causes to prevent to loss of a project that you have spent time on.

9.  Cause  Air pockets  Moisture  Secondary breakage due to shrapnel  Prevention  Wedge clay and if you see an air pocket, use a needle tool to puncture the pocket  Do not make pieces too thick and allow adequate drying time  None

10. Stage 7  The bisque ware may be glazed  3 even coats of glaze are required for most colors, 2 for clear.  Bisque ware that is not going to be used for food or liquid may also be painted with acrylic paint

11. Stage 8  Bisque ware that has been coated with 2-3 even layers of glaze may be placed in the kiln for its second firing  It is important that the piece has enough layers of glaze and that all desired areas to be glazed have been glazed. Once it is fired the second time, it will not be able to be glazed and fired again.

12. Stage 9  You should now have a finished piece of glaze ware

13. Quiz  Take out a piece of paper  Label 1-9 with all stages of clay