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	<title>Arttools.com &#187; Ceramics</title>
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		<title>Introduction to Pottery Making and Ceramics</title>
		<link>http://www.arttools.com/ceramics/introduction-to-pottery-making-and-ceramics</link>
		<comments>http://www.arttools.com/ceramics/introduction-to-pottery-making-and-ceramics#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 22 Oct 2007 20:58:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Art Supplies</dc:creator>
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		<description><![CDATA[Pottery making is an art that not every artist can manage. It requires patience, expertise and love for pottery to be able to produce a good piece of pottery. Since the beginning of time, not only artists but also potters have indulged in the production of priceless vessels. The tracks of this unique art can [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><font size="2" face="Arial">Pottery making is an art that not every artist can manage. It requires patience, expertise and love for pottery to be able to produce a good piece of pottery. Since the beginning of time, not only artists but also potters have indulged in the production of priceless vessels. The tracks of this unique art can be traced back to ancient times.</font></p>
<div><font size="2" face="Arial">&nbsp;</font></div>
<p><font size="2" face="Arial">Although, good clay is an important part of the pottery making process but it is not the only step involved. Each step has its own importance and requires a certain level of expertise. All the steps involved in the process are listed below</font></p>
<ol type="1" start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;">
<li><font size="2" face="Arial"><strong><em>Preparing      clay for throwing:</em></strong> The first and the most important step is to      prepare the clay for throwing. However, experts say that this needs to be      done with extreme caution. The first thing that you need to do is put the      clay in a large container and adds enough water so that all of the water      completely covers the entire clay. Once the clay has settled to the bottom      stir it in water. Keep adding water until the clay gets a batter like consistency.      Once the clay is properly mixed, let the extra water rise to the top.      After this use a sponge to extract the extra water and let it stay for a      few hours so that the clay can be pulled out in clumps.</font></li>
<li><font size="2" face="Arial"><strong><em>Wedging:</em></strong>      This step takes a few days before the clay has acquired the right form for      the next step. During this step keep the clumped clay covered in plastic      after it has been let to dry further. But don&rsquo;t let it sit like this for      more then two day. Next placed the clay on the floor and walk all over it      several times to ensure that all the air bubbles are pushed out of clay.      Then cut the clay into smaller manageable and compress it so that it has      acquired the shape of a smooth ball.</font></li>
<li><font size="2" face="Arial"><strong><em>Throwing:</em></strong>      This is the step where you give a definite shape to your ball of clay      using a pottery wheel, wedged clay, sponge, water, cutting wire and wheel      bat.</font></li>
<li><font size="2" face="Arial"><strong><em>Pinch      Pots:</em></strong> In this process, the potters use there hands to shape the      pots instead of a pottery wheel and wheel bat. The clay is usually pinched      to give the shape.</font></li>
<li><font size="2" face="Arial"><strong><em>Altering:</em></strong>      The body of the clay is hand altered by the potter while it is still</font></li>
<li><font size="2" face="Arial"><strong><em>Painting      with clay sip:</em></strong> Clay slips are small amount of clay mixed in water      and color to form a batter like consistency. This can be used to paint the      pots. It must be kept in mind that different clay slips have been designed      for different types of clay.</font></li>
<li><font size="2" face="Arial"><strong><em>Bisquing:</em></strong>      This is a pre-step to the firing process of the pots. This step is      undertaken to burn the water out of clay. This step also ensures that the      pot will be able to absorb the glaze readily.</font></li>
<li><font size="2" face="Arial"><strong><em>Glazing:</em></strong>      This step not only gives the texture and color to the pots and vessels but      also uniqueness to the pots. However, it must be kept in mind that each      type of clay has its own unique glazing process.</font></li>
<li><font size="2" face="Arial"><strong><em>Firing:</em></strong>      The last and the most important step of the pottery making process is      firing. During this step the pots are heated at a high temperature. There      are many techniques used to fire the kiln, this can be done using wood,      salt, isolated piece firing, gas and raku.</font></li>
</ol>
<p><font size="2" face="Arial">&nbsp;</font></p>
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