How to Decorate With Pottery

Pottery is an art form consisting of molded clay that has been fired in a kiln at high temperatures to permanently set the shape and harden the material. It has been a part of human culture since early civilization began, and continues to be an important tool in the development of human society.

There are many steps to making pottery. When a potter starts working with clay they must first prepare the material by kneading it, which allows the moisture to spread evenly throughout the entire slab of clay. This is a critical step to help prevent cracking and shrinking of the finished piece.

Once the potter has molded the clay into a specific object, it must be fired in a kiln to remove the water from the clay body, making it durable and solid. The firing process also causes chemical and mineralogical changes that give pottery its unique qualities.

Some pottery is glazed after it has been shaped and cured, adding color and decoration to the final product. Glazes are made of liquid or powdered metal oxides that, when heated in the glaze firing, create beautiful colors. Unfortunately, these metal oxides are highly toxic to humans and animals and take a lot of energy to mine and process, often using fossil fuels.

When decorating with pottery, it is important to keep in mind the style of your space. For example, if your home has a vintage feel, you may want to stick with neutral or earthy colored pottery pieces. You could also use a combination of different shapes and sizes to create a more eye catching look.