The process
of making
Thanh Ha
pottery
The Clay Process
To transform raw clay to a finished ceramic item, there are a few steps:
1. Planning what you 2. Cutting out the clay 3. Wedging or kneading
are going to make you need the clay.
• Draw pictures and research
inspirational ceramic artists
and artworks.
No Air
Bubbles!
This is very important!
When the clay is fired in a kiln, air trapped
inside the clay can expand and cause the
piece to crack.
By removing air bubbles through
wedging, the clay will be more solid.
Wedging is similar to kneading dough!
Watch the video to see how to wedge.
Process
To transform raw clay to a finished ceramic item, there are a few steps:
1. Shaping: 2. Drying and 3. Glazing (for
• Potters use a spinning •Fixing:
The shaped pieces are •tiles):
A shiny coating made
wheel to shape the clay dried under the sun, then from special minerals is
into pottery pieces. fixed to make them even added to some pieces
and smooth before before firing to make
drying completely. them strong and glossy.
4. Firing:
You're
• The pottery is baked in big brick
ovens using wood. Potters know it’s done.
ready by checking the color of the Enjoy
smoke and a test piece.
your
clay
creation
!