Techniques

Question 1

A clay form made from a mold. May also be referred to “plaster castings”.

Answer 1

Casting

Question 2

A term used to describe the technique of adding small clay forms as decoration on the surface of pottery forms; also called applied decoration.

Answer 2

Sprigging-On

Question 3

Small holes made by puncturing the wet greenware with a needle tool when two pieces of ware have been attached. These small holes allow the air and gasses to escape during firing. Also refers to the peep holes in the side of the kiln.

Answer 3

Vent Holes

Question 4

Sprigging-On

Answer 4

A term used to describe the technique of adding small clay forms as decoration on the surface of pottery forms; also called applied decoration.

Question 5

The base or the part of the piece of ceramic on which it rests.

Answer 5

Foot

Question 6

The term comes from Old English meaning spin. A piece of clay is placed on a potter’s wheel head which spins. The clay is shaped by compression while it is in motion. Often the potter will use several of these shapes together to form one piece (a teapot can be constructed from three of four of these forms).

Answer 6

Wheel Thrown

Question 7

Is a decoration technique, created by carving lines into the clay or carving small areas out of the clay but not perforating it.

Answer 7

Incising

Question 8

Starting with a ball of clay the potter opens a hole into the ball and forms a bowl shape through a combination of stroking and pinching the clay. Many coil-built pieces are constructed on top of a pinched bottom.

Answer 8

Pinch Pots

Question 9

The bottom of a piece that rests upon a surface (may be wheel thrown or hand built). There are two kinds: raised and flush.

Answer 9

Footing

Question 10

Method used in hand building to connect two pieces of clay together.

Answer 10

Slip/Score

Question 11

Wedging

Answer 11

Is the process of kneading the clay so as to remove air pockets and create uniform consistency of clay.

Question 12

Incising

Answer 12

Is a decoration technique, created by carving lines into the clay or carving small areas out of the clay but not perforating it.

Question 13

Footing

Answer 13

The bottom of a piece that rests upon a surface (may be wheel thrown or hand built). There are two kinds: raised and flush.

Question 14

Foot

Answer 14

The base or the part of the piece of ceramic on which it rests.

Question 15

Is the process of kneading the clay so as to remove air pockets and create uniform consistency of clay.

Answer 15

Wedging

Question 16

Casting

Answer 16

A clay form made from a mold. May also be referred to “plaster castings”.

Question 17

To draw or make lines into clay.

Answer 17

Score

Question 18

Score

Answer 18

To draw or make lines into clay.

Question 19

Slip/Score

Answer 19

Method used in hand building to connect two pieces of clay together.

Question 20

Vent Holes

Answer 20

Small holes made by puncturing the wet greenware with a needle tool when two pieces of ware have been attached. These small holes allow the air and gasses to escape during firing. Also refers to the peep holes in the side of the kiln.

Question 21

Coil Method

Answer 21

One of the oldest ways of forming pottery. Long strands of clay which are laid on top of each other and joined through blending coil to coil. Coil pieces can be almost any shape and any size.

Question 22

One of the oldest ways of forming pottery. Long strands of clay which are laid on top of each other and joined through blending coil to coil. Coil pieces can be almost any shape and any size.

Answer 22

Coil Method

Question 23

Pinch Pots

Answer 23

Starting with a ball of clay the potter opens a hole into the ball and forms a bowl shape through a combination of stroking and pinching the clay. Many coil-built pieces are constructed on top of a pinched bottom.

Question 24

Wheel Thrown

Answer 24

The term comes from Old English meaning spin. A piece of clay is placed on a potter’s wheel head which spins. The clay is shaped by compression while it is in motion. Often the potter will use several of these shapes together to form one piece (a teapot can be constructed from three of four of these forms).