The Ceramic Process

Pottery clay goes through distinct stages from its wettest state to its final fired form:
  • Slip: Clay mixed with a large amount of water to create a liquid or paste consistency. It is primarily used as “glue” to join pieces together or for decorative techniques like slip trailing.
  • Plastic (Wet): The stage where clay is soft, pliable, and easily molded. This is the ideal state for wheel throwing, hand-building, and most initial forming. Clay straight out of the bag is at this stage.
  • Leather-Hard: Clay that has partially dried and is no longer pliable but still contains some moisture. It is firm enough to be handled without deforming, making it the best stage for carving, trimming, and adding handles.
  • Bone Dry (Greenware): Clay that has completely air-dried and contains no visible moisture. It is extremely fragile and light in color; this is the final stage before the first firing.
  • Bisque (Bisqueware): Clay that has undergone its first firing in a kiln. This process permanently changes the chemical structure of the clay, making it hard but still porous enough to absorb glaze.
  • Glazeware (Ceramic): The final stage after glaze has been applied and the piece has been fired a second time. The clay and glaze fuse together to create a non-porous, finished surface.