Work in Progress!
Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
Work in Progress!
A little bit about pottery....
Pottery is the art and craft of shaping clay into objects, then hardening them—usually by firing in a kiln. It can be purely functional (like mugs, plates, or plant pots) or decorative (like sculptures and vases). Pottery has been around for thousands of years and is valued for both its practicality and creative expression.
Different types of clay
- Terracotta - used for flower pots and sculptures
- Earthenware - used for decorative items and sculptures
- Stoneware - used for tableware and waterproof, functional pottery.
- Porcelain - known for its whiteness, translucency and exceptional strength . More suited to the experienced potter.
The Different Stages of Clay
- Slip - the wettest stage, clay mixed with water or pigment. The mixture acts like glue, used for attaching pieces together and for decoration.
- Plastic clay - The stage where clay is moist and pliable, easily moulded and shaped. The stage most commonly used for throwing on the wheel and hand building.
- Leatherhard - The clay is firm but still contains moisture. Will leave a nail print but not a fingerprint. This allows for carving, attaching handles, adding detail and refining on the wheel - also known as turning.
- Bone dry - all moisture has evaporated, making the clay very fragile and chalky. Its the stage that needs to be reached before it can be fired in the kiln.
- Bisque - the clay has been fired once in the kiln at around 1040⁰C making it strong and durable but still porous so it accepts the glaze.
- Glaze ware - The clay has been fired a second time, usually around 1200⁰C with glaze applied, resulting in a glossy, waterproof finish.
What Clay and Glazes we use...
Clays
Glazes
Glazes
We use stoneware clay from Potclays
- Draycott White
- Oxydising St Thomas
- Porcelain
We also have an Earthenware clay
- Studio White
Glazes
Glazes
Glazes
We have a mixture of brushing and dipping glazes from
- Mayco
- Amaco
- Terracolour
- Botz
We also have a selection of slips, underglazes and engobes.
Tools
Glazes
Tools
We have a wide range of pottery tools to include loop and sgraffito tools, hand modelling tools, ribs, textured rolling pins, scoring tools, diamond core tools, slip applicators, mud sponges, measuring calipers, banding wheels, Hartley and Noble bat system, stencils, pin tools, hump and slum moulds.