PotteryPotteryPrimitive, Production, PresentPrimitive, Production, Present

PrimitivePrimitive An introduction to pottery and ceramic terms through early An introduction to pottery and ceramic terms through early

pottery methods.pottery methods. ProductionProduction

After a trip to a local pottery studio, we will discuss After a trip to a local pottery studio, we will discuss producing pottery for a living.producing pottery for a living.

PresentPresent After visiting a local university’s ceramic department, we After visiting a local university’s ceramic department, we

will discuss making pottery as an art form.will discuss making pottery as an art form.

PotteryPotteryPrimitivePrimitive

Ware, such as plates, bowls, mugs, Ware, such as plates, bowls, mugs, pots, vases, molded from moist clay pots, vases, molded from moist clay

then hardened by heat.then hardened by heat.

SouthWest Native AmericanSouthWest Native American

What is clay?What is clay?

Is it that red stuff that gets all over my shoes Is it that red stuff that gets all over my shoes and stains everything?and stains everything?

Is it mud?Is it mud?

It is play dough, right?It is play dough, right?

Clay is……Clay is……

AlAl22OO33 2SiO 2SiO22 2H 2H22OO

Alumina + Silica + WaterAlumina + Silica + Water

Aluminum Oxide + Powder Glass+ WaterAluminum Oxide + Powder Glass+ Water

Potential Health Hazards with ClayPotential Health Hazards with Clay

Clay dries out skins quickly and can lead to Clay dries out skins quickly and can lead to cracking and bleeding of the skin over time.cracking and bleeding of the skin over time.

Clay contains powdered glass. Breathing clay Clay contains powdered glass. Breathing clay dust over long periods of time can result in dust over long periods of time can result in lung complications. (story time)lung complications. (story time)

Fired clay edges become very sharp. They can Fired clay edges become very sharp. They can cut skin and fabric and may scratch surfaces.cut skin and fabric and may scratch surfaces.

Some clay tools are very sharp and can cut Some clay tools are very sharp and can cut skin.skin.

Properties of ClayProperties of Clay

Heat Resistant (resists very high temps.)Heat Resistant (resists very high temps.)

Malleable (very workable when wet)Malleable (very workable when wet)

Versatile (used for many applications)Versatile (used for many applications)

Recyclable (unfired pieces can be reused)Recyclable (unfired pieces can be reused)

Types of ClayTypes of Clay

High Fire (2300+ deg)High Fire (2300+ deg) Stoneware (Tiles, bowls)Stoneware (Tiles, bowls) Porcelain (Delicate plates, mugs, bowls)Porcelain (Delicate plates, mugs, bowls)

Low Fire (1700-2000 deg)Low Fire (1700-2000 deg) Earthenware (Sculpture, jugs, bowls)Earthenware (Sculpture, jugs, bowls) Terra Cotta (Flower pots, exterior)Terra Cotta (Flower pots, exterior)

EarthenwareEarthenware

Earliest pieces found in Mesopotamia around Earliest pieces found in Mesopotamia around 5000 B.C. 5000 B.C.

Used by the Egyptians before 2500 B.C.Used by the Egyptians before 2500 B.C.

Used in Greece around 1000 B.C.Used in Greece around 1000 B.C.

This is some old stuff!This is some old stuff!

Hand buildingHand building

Using one’s hands and simple hand Using one’s hands and simple hand tools to shape and mold clay into tools to shape and mold clay into

forms.forms.

PinchingPinching

The maker uses the palm and fingers The maker uses the palm and fingers to press the clay outward. This is the to press the clay outward. This is the most simple form of hand building.most simple form of hand building.

Pinching MethodPinching Method

Stages of ClayStages of Clay

Wet Wet Contains water, workable, moldable.Contains water, workable, moldable.

Leather HardLeather Hard Has lost water, firm, slightly workable.Has lost water, firm, slightly workable.

Bone DryBone Dry Contains no moisture, hard yet brittle, ashy.Contains no moisture, hard yet brittle, ashy.

FiredFired Hard, solid, non workable.Hard, solid, non workable.

FinishingFinishing

BurnishingBurnishing Smoothing out the clay by rubbing the surface Smoothing out the clay by rubbing the surface

with a smooth object. (spoon, leather, wooden with a smooth object. (spoon, leather, wooden spoon)spoon)

StainingStaining Watered down natural materials applied to the clay Watered down natural materials applied to the clay

to add color and create designs. (red iron oxide)to add color and create designs. (red iron oxide)

FiringFiring

Bisque FireBisque Fire The clay pieces are placed into the kiln at the Bone The clay pieces are placed into the kiln at the Bone

Dry stage. They are heated slowly to a Dry stage. They are heated slowly to a temperature of around 1500 degrees.temperature of around 1500 degrees.

This hardens the pieces yet they are still porous.This hardens the pieces yet they are still porous. Firing slowly reduces the chance of and explosion Firing slowly reduces the chance of and explosion

due to an air pocket, water, or thermal shock.due to an air pocket, water, or thermal shock.

Electric KilnElectric Kiln

FiringFiring

Primitive Pit FirePrimitive Pit Fire Ancient cultures (Egyptians, Greeks, Native Ancient cultures (Egyptians, Greeks, Native

American Indians) dug pits in the earth and loaded American Indians) dug pits in the earth and loaded the pieced along with wood, leaves, etc. They the pieced along with wood, leaves, etc. They would light the materials on fire and hours later the would light the materials on fire and hours later the only thing left would be the fired pottery pieces.only thing left would be the fired pottery pieces.

Many potters still use a kiln similar to the pit kiln. Many potters still use a kiln similar to the pit kiln. There are many variations that are used for There are many variations that are used for different effects.different effects.

Pit KilnPit Kiln

www.robertcomptonpottery.comwww.robertcomptonpottery.com

Pit Fired Pottery ExamplesPit Fired Pottery Examples

What will we do?What will we do?

We as a class will construct a working pit kiln.We as a class will construct a working pit kiln.

You will create a pinch pot decorated with native You will create a pinch pot decorated with native American Indian designs.American Indian designs.

We will prepare, load and fire the pit kiln with We will prepare, load and fire the pit kiln with your pieces inside.your pieces inside.

The EndThe End

PotteryPotteryProductionProduction

Clay Pieces made to sell for a profit. Clay Pieces made to sell for a profit.

Production PotteryProduction Pottery

Ancient Cultures made pottery as a means of Ancient Cultures made pottery as a means of storing food and water and preparing meals.storing food and water and preparing meals.

Some cultures used pottery as a way to Some cultures used pottery as a way to preserve the remains of deceased people.preserve the remains of deceased people.

Pottery as and art form and use has been made Pottery as and art form and use has been made and sold for many years. As early as the and sold for many years. As early as the 1600’s cultures were producing and selling 1600’s cultures were producing and selling pieces at markets and gatherings.pieces at markets and gatherings.

Slab MethodSlab Method

Slab – a flat piece of clay that has been rolled Slab – a flat piece of clay that has been rolled out evenly. It can be cut, folded or wrapped out evenly. It can be cut, folded or wrapped around a shape.around a shape.

Pieces made with the slab method: plates, Pieces made with the slab method: plates, mugs, vases, boxes, containers, cups.mugs, vases, boxes, containers, cups.

What will you do?What will you do?

You will produce two identical mugs.You will produce two identical mugs. The weight, shape, and size should be the same.The weight, shape, and size should be the same. The designs and finishing can be different.The designs and finishing can be different.

You will be required to calculate the total cost You will be required to calculate the total cost for each mug. for each mug.

You will be required to price and sell your You will be required to price and sell your mug for a profit.mug for a profit.

The catch…….The catch…….

All proceeds will be deposited into the Pottery All proceeds will be deposited into the Pottery account to pay for the projects that you will account to pay for the projects that you will make and keep throughout the semester.make and keep throughout the semester.

By doing this, you avoid paying a class fee up By doing this, you avoid paying a class fee up front.front.

Calculating CostCalculating Cost

You must determine how much clay you used.You must determine how much clay you used. Weight your wet mug (s)Weight your wet mug (s) Clay averages .30 per poundClay averages .30 per pound

You must determine how much glazed was You must determine how much glazed was used.used. Estimate how many ounces of glaze you used.Estimate how many ounces of glaze you used. Glaze averages .72 per ounceGlaze averages .72 per ounce

Calculating CostCalculating Cost

Electrical Use (Kiln)Electrical Use (Kiln)Kilowatts used x Hours used x cents per kw-hr.Kilowatts used x Hours used x cents per kw-hr.

110 kw x 11hr x .10 = 110 kw x 11hr x .10 = 12.1012.10

Bisque firing + Glaze Firing = Total Firing CostBisque firing + Glaze Firing = Total Firing Cost

12.10 + 12.10 = 12.10 + 12.10 = 24.2024.20 Divide 24.20 by the number of pieces in the kiln to determine Divide 24.20 by the number of pieces in the kiln to determine

individual cost.individual cost.

Calculating CostCalculating Cost

Cost Per PieceCost Per Piece Clay cost + glaze cost + Kiln cost = Final CostClay cost + glaze cost + Kiln cost = Final Cost

Profit MarginProfit Margin Selling Price – final cost = Profit margin.Selling Price – final cost = Profit margin.

Ex. 12.00 – 5.33 = Ex. 12.00 – 5.33 = 6.676.67

PotteryPotteryPresentPresent

Clay Pieces made as an art form. Clay Pieces made as an art form.