STAGING

Glossary of Terms

Our glossary is always changing. If you have suggestions for future additions, please contact us.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z



  • Compressing the rim

    Compressing the rim

    When wheel throwing, finishing the rim with a rib, chamois, or fingers.



  • Cone Charts

    Cone Charts

    ceramic materials which measure heat work in the kiln.



  • Copper Carbonate and Copper Oxide

    Copper Carbonate and Copper Oxide

    Coloring oxides used for greens and metallic colors. IN reduction, can give red colors.



  • Craze, Crackle, Crawl

    Craze, Crackle, Crawl

    Glaze surfaces may have surface variations which might be seen as a flaw or, if intentional, might be an aesthetic choice. Crawling is when the glaze pulls away from the clay, and beads on the surface, either due to the bisque not being sufficiently cleaned before glazing, or a defect of the glaze composition. Crackle is the intentional development of a network of fine cracks in the glaze, often seen in Raku ware. Crazing is the unintentional forming of cracks in glaze surface, sometimes due to rapid cooling of glazed ware, or a poor fit between clay and glaze. All of these glaze surfaces, whether intentional or not, are not considered food-safe.



  • Cutting Off

    Cutting Off

    When wheel throwing, removing the finished pot using a wire.



  • Faceting

    Faceting

    Cutting flat faces into wet clay.



  • Fettling Knife

    Fettling Knife

    Long knife used for cutting clay.



  • Fluting

    Fluting

    Cutting lines into a clay form with a loop tool or wire.



  • Flux

    Flux

    Fluxes are glaze materials which are added to lower the melting point of particular glaze ingredients. Fluxes include feldspars, frits, and a wide variety of other materials.



  • Glaze

    Glaze

    A glassy coating of ceramic ware, made up of a combination of glass-formers, refractories, and fluxes.



  • Glaze Breaking

    Glaze Breaking

    Glaze variation across the surface texture of a pot.



  • Glaze Dipping

    Glaze Dipping

    A method for applying glaze by submerging ware in the glaze. A method which is fast and gives a fairly even coating.