What is Pottery?

Pottery is the art of making clay items by squishing, pinching, rolling, pulling, and molding it to one’s will. This process of mind-body coordination fosters a sense of empowerment for children, allowing them to express themselves creatively and become in command of the clay, which they are able to shape at will. This helps develop a strong sense of spatial awareness and can increase self-esteem when the resulting creations are displayed or gifted.

The first step in pottery is preparing the clay. This is done through a process called bone-drying, which refers to the moisture content of the clay being reduced to almost zero. After this, the clay can be decorated before firing. Some pottery is also burnished prior to firing, which produces a shiny surface on the wares. Some clay bodies may also be mixed with pulverized bone to produce bone china, a highly desirable type of ceramic.

Once the wares have been decorated and are ready to be fired, they must go through a drying process in a kiln. Once the wares are bone-dry, they can be polished by rubbing with a wood, steel or stone tool to produce an attractive finish. Some wares are then painted with a glaze.

The most important element in pottery is the creativity of the potter. The potter must use their imagination to visualize the finished product of their work and then manipulate the clay to achieve it. This requires a great deal of focus and concentration, which can help to regulate cortisol levels in the brain. As a result, the calming meditative state created while creating pottery has been shown to reduce physical symptoms of anxiety and stress, such as elevated blood pressure and muscle tension.

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