The Basics of Pottery

Pottery is a versatile art form with a rich history that spans thousands of years. It began as a practical necessity, but evolved into a sophisticated craft that has made ceramics one of the most popular and sought-after decorative arts today.

In its earliest forms, pottery was made by molding clay into the shapes desired. This process was labor intensive and was only possible if there were adequate deposits of usable clay. The first potters were fortunate to have these resources. The next challenge was figuring out how to reliably create fires hot enough to transform the raw clay into ceramics. This took time and experimentation before people were able to achieve this.

Once the clay was kneaded, or de-aired, it could be formed into a variety of shapes. This was usually done with a wheel or by hand. The clay is then bone-dryed (a procedure in which the clay body reaches a moisture content of nearly zero) before it can be fired.

During firing, the clay turns into a brittle material that resists most agents that corrode metals and organic materials. This makes the material extremely durable and water resistant.

After firing, glazes can be applied to the surface of the ceramics. There are many types of glazes to choose from. To start, we recommend working with a pre-made glaze that has been tested to work with your specific clay and firing temperature. Continental Clay on Stinson in Minneapolis has some great ones to try! It is also a good idea to experiment with your own glazing techniques.