Search Results - Pottery
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Pottery is the ceramic ware made by potters. Major types of pottery include earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain. The places where such wares are made are called potteries. Pottery is one of the oldest human technologies and art-forms, and remains a major industry today. Ceramic art covers the art of pottery, whether in items made for use or purely for decoration. Pottery is made by forming a clay body into objects of a required shape and heating them to high temperatures in a kiln to induce reactions that lead to permanent changes, including increasing their strength and hardening and setting their shape. There are wide regional variations in the properties of clays used by potters and this often helps to produce wares that are unique in character to a locality. It is common for clays and other minerals to be mixed to produce clay bodies suited to specific purposes. Prior to some shaping processes, air trapped within the clay body needs to be removed. This is called de-airing and can be accomplished by a machine called a vacuum pug or manually by wedging. Wedging can also help to ensure an even moisture content throughout the body. Once a clay body has been de-aired or wedged, it is shaped by a variety of techniques. After shaping it is dried before firing. There are a number of stages in the drying process. Leather-hard refers to the stage when the clay object is approximately 75-85% dry. Clay bodies at this stage are very firm and only slightly pliable. Trimming and handle attachment often occurs at the leather-hard state. Clay bodies are said to be "bone-dry" when they reach a moisture content at or near 0%. Unfired objects are often termed greenware. Clay bodies at this stage are very fragile and hence can be easily broken. The potter's most basic tool is the hand. However, many additional tools have been developed over the long history of pottery manufacturing, including the potter's wheel and turntable, shaping tools (paddles, anvils, ribs), rolling tools (roulettes, slab rollers, rolling pins), cutting/piercing tools (knives, fluting tools, wires) and finishing tools (burnishing stones, rasps, chamois).
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Showing 1 to 25 of 194 Articles matching 'Pottery' in related articles. |
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1. Grog!
November 20, 2009
I watched her skillful hands do the seemingly impossible. From a cold, moist lump of clay emerged a beautiful and functional piece of art. The whir of her potter's wheel lulled me as I watched her clay-covered hands cooperate with the spinning wheel to create the formless lump into an exquisite bowl. From the wheel to the drying rack to the kiln to the art show or sales shelf - the process never ceased to amaze me. But what shocked and surprised me even more was what she did with the inevitable broken or damaged piece.
I have marveled for years at the creative expression within such art... (read more)
Author: Fireflies Team
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2. Buffalo tours of pottery town, Vietnam
November 19, 2009
Among the tourist sites surrounding Hanoi, the Bat Trang pottery village with 500 or more years of history, is an ideal place to visit, attracting a large number of people from the city – and foreign tourists. Slow and steady: Japanese visitors enjoy a buffalo cart tour around the pottery village. Just 14km from central Hanoi, the village is easily reached by motorbike – the most popular transport means in Vietnam. If you’re too lazy to drive yourself or are not game to sit on the back of a xe om or hired motorbike, you can catch a bus at Long Bien Bus Station. This way takes th... (read more)
Author: Bobby Nguyen
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3. Art Deco Designs Set for a Bold Comeback
November 18, 2009
Art Deco designs permeated nearly everything in the 20's and 30's. Their purpose was solely decorative. They were included in architecture, jewellery, pottery, silverware, and furniture, and were instantly adopted by movie makers. Considering the film industry's powerful influence on the public, movies may have been where art deco had the greatest pull. People typically associated the art deco style with the high contrast lighting used in the production of 'film noir'. Over time, the two art forms became almost synonymous.
The art deco style is a mixture of several movements: Modernism, ... (read more)
Author: Donovan Gauvreau
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4. Making Pottery Can Be Great Fun
November 16, 2009
The act of throwing pottery, which is essentially to create pottery through the use of a device known as a potter's wheel is one that many people go into their first pottery class expecting to enjoy immediately. While it is an essential pottery skill for some of the many pottery techniques, it is not something that is generally taught in the first class of an introduction to pottery sort of environment. Unless you are taking a class that is particular focused on learning to throw pottery it is typically a skill that you will get around to eventually rather than jumping into feet first.
I... (read more)
Author: Freddy Roy
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5. Pottery Is Making A Comeback
November 16, 2009
It would seem that lately, all things old within the realm of arts and crafts have suddenly been made new. The same holds true for pottery and it really doesn't get much older when one considers some of the popular crafts of today, perhaps textiles but that's another story all together.
At any rate, pottery making has seemed to enjoy a sudden rebirth of popularity and this is really a great thing. Not only is this a great way for young and old alike to find common ground it is also a way of producing something that is useful in the end. Many hobbies are merely decorative or entertaining.... (read more)
Author: Freddy Roy
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6. Tuscan Kitchen And Pottery
November 16, 2009
Tuscan inspired kitchens are all the rage in the United States these days. You see them on all sorts of television commercials, on magazine covers, and in many dreams across the country. There are some simple ways you can create a Tuscan feel in your kitchen without spending tens of thousands of dollars on renovating and ripping out walls, cabinets, floors, and such. One way is by adding a fair amount of pottery to your kitchen walls, counters, and backsplashes for a true Tuscan feel.
Tuscan kitchens are known for character. Distressed wood floors and tabletops that look old and distingu... (read more)
Author: Freddy Roy
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7. How Roman Pottery Became
November 16, 2009
When it comes to pottery it is common knowledge that various cultures throughout history seemed to develop a style of making and adorning pottery that was uniquely there on. This is very true when it comes to the Roman style of pottery. Though it began in a manner that was very Etruscan in style, Roman pottery soon became an art unto itself. They did not borrow from the Greeks by painting decorations onto the pottery but rather molded shapes and forms into the clay as adornment.
Most pottery in ancient Rome was initially made and used locally rather than traded with merchants traveling n... (read more)
Author: Freddy Roy
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8. Learn All About Raku Pottery
November 16, 2009
For those who are looking for something a little bit different to give to friends and loved ones as gifts or something incredible to add to their own pottery collections Raku pottery has a great deal to offer. Each piece is completely hand crafted in the Raku style and prepared to very exacting specifications in order to hold the title of Raku pottery. Not only is the method of design exacting but also the firing method and the glazing method must meet very specific requirements for the proper finish. The final product however, is nothing short of spectacular in beauty when this process is pro... (read more)
Author: Freddy Roy
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9. Start Pottery By Getting A Kit
November 16, 2009
Pottery is a great skill to learn and a good deal of fun. If you are the type of person that has a mild interest in pottery but aren't sure you want to make the level of commitment required to take a class on pottery you may find that various pottery kits on the market offer some degree of appeal to you and can help you determine if you are ready to go a step further and sign up for some classes or purchase additional materials and equipment in order to further your home education.
Pottery kits are also an excellent idea for kids who seem to have an interest in pottery but often flit fro... (read more)
Author: Freddy Roy
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10. Learn How To Store Your Pottery
November 16, 2009
Most homes have some degree of storage issues in the modern world. The kitchen is often a center of discontent among women for its lack of storage space and quite often storage options. Many homeowners' have turned to pottery to increase the amount of storage space in the kitchen through several methods.
First of all, by purchasing different sized pottery bowls they can be stored one inside the other. This maximizes the use for that space while providing plenty of mixing bowls as well as baking bowls (most pottery may be baked though you should check the care instructions before baking o... (read more)
Author: Freddy Roy
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11. Create A Pottery For Your Jewelry
November 16, 2009
Pottery has many uses and has had many uses throughout the history of the world. One use that is often overlooked or not very widely known is as jewelry. Ceramics and stoneware make for some very beautiful and elegant pieces of jewelry as well as for some fun and very funky designs. If you are looking for a gift for a friend or loved one or simply something to dress up your own jewelry box a little bit then you might want to pay careful attention to the market and check out some jewelry that is made of clay.
Finding these pieces may be a little more difficult than a trip to your favorite... (read more)
Author: Freddy Roy
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12. Pottery Can Make Great Decorations
November 16, 2009
Pottery is often overlooked for its decorative appeal with the message often getting lost within its incredible versatility and usefulness. The truth is however, that when it comes to decorating and lending style, pottery is a great way to go when decorating in almost any theme or style of décor. I have found very few rooms in my time in which some style of pottery would not suit the overall design scheme of the room. I would think that there really are very few. Even modern Gothic styled rooms have plenty of appropriate opportunities to use pottery to enhance the theme.
All in all, pott... (read more)
Author: Freddy Roy
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13. How To Make Your Pottery Personal
November 16, 2009
The growth of shops that allow consumers to decorate their own pottery pieces or ceramic items and have then fired on the premises have also given people the opportunity to make pottery personal. Not only can you make pottery personal for yourself but also as a gift for others. There are many different styles and designs from which to choose. This is something that is not only fun to do but also fun to choose if you have a special friend or loved on that is always quite difficult to shop for when it comes to birthdays, holidays, and such. Have fun making these gifts mean something for the one ... (read more)
Author: Freddy Roy
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14. Create Pottery For Your Business
November 16, 2009
If you are looking for a great creative outlet or a new hobby that can bring in a little spare change while you are at it, you may want to consider learning to make your own pottery. It is a great and fun hobby that isn't terribly expensive, once you have the initial tools of the trade and is a lot of fun for many people around the world. Moreover the results of your efforts when it comes to pottery making are actually useful items to have around the house or to bring in a little extra income selling on Ebay or at local craft fairs and flea markets.
Well-made and carefully selected piece... (read more)
Author: Freddy Roy
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15. Differnt Uses For Pottery
November 16, 2009
If you are just beginning to collect pottery I will let you in on a little secret that avid collectors know all too well: pottery is infinitely useful and extremely versatile. This means that most pottery can function in more than one capacity. You do need to make sure that there aren't certain restrictions on the pieces you purchase though most dealers will let you know the necessary care instructions and precautions that should be taken when you make the purchase.
That being said most pottery is dishwasher and microwave safe (depending on the glazing method-Raku pottery is not), food s... (read more)
Author: Freddy Roy
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16. A Couple Of Places To Buy Pottery
November 16, 2009
There are many great places to shop for nice custom made pottery pieces in large and small cities and towns across the country. While many of these places are a little off the beaten path and often will not be found at the local 'mega mall' or 'super center,' there are plenty of shopping options available to most who are interested in buying unique and interesting pieces of pottery to add to their collections or even in order to begin a collection.
The first to consider, and often overlooked, would be local garage sales. There is no small degree of truth to the saying that one man's tras... (read more)
Author: Freddy Roy
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17. Giving The Gift Of Pottery
November 16, 2009
Pottery makes a beautiful addition to any home and an extremely thoughtful gift. Not only is most pottery quite beautiful from a decorative point of view, there are also literally tons of practical uses for pottery other than simply looking nice sitting on a mantel or decorating a shelf. Pottery is many things to many different people and there are all kinds of wonderful gift ideas that center around pottery if you are willing to take the time to find the perfect piece or have the imagination to create a nice combination of your own.
The first thing that comes to mind when I think of hou... (read more)
Author: Freddy Roy
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18. Teach Kids How To Make Pottery
November 16, 2009
In the world in which we live, children are faced with many temptations, good and bad. It is in our best interests as parents to tip the scales in favor of the good temptations our children will face whenever possible by giving them plenty of skills, talents, and creative outlets upon which to exert their energy and focus. Sports are great but most sports are limited to seasons. This leaves parents looking for things to keep their children's active minds involved and occupied during the off seasons for their favorite sports.
Pottery lessons are a great way to give kids a creative focus w... (read more)
Author: Freddy Roy
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19. Visiting Pottery Websites
November 16, 2009
There are many ways to find great pottery. While it is often best to see the pieces in living color, the Internet offers opportunities for those who do not have ready or easy access to great artisans in their town or who prefer a type of pottery that typically isn't carried locally to find the pieces they desire to add to their collections without traveling extensively in order to do so.
There are a few drawbacks to ordering pottery online and one of those would be the fact that you are only seeing a very flat representation of the finished product. In other words, it is very difficult f... (read more)
Author: Freddy Roy
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20. If You Are Into Pottery You Need A Great Wheel
November 16, 2009
There are many tools that a potter will use over the course of his lifetime as an artist. One of the most important to many potters is the potter's wheel. This device is used for a process that is commonly referred to as 'throwing' pottery. It is a very important device to many potters who do not enjoy the process of hand building pottery or need the ability to shape items in a very similar fashion. There are many instances, come to think of it, when a wheel is preferable to artists over hand building just as there are many situations when only hand building with clay is suitable. One thing re... (read more)
Author: Freddy Roy
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21. The Ceramics Art Gallery-An exhibition on Ceramic
November 11, 2009
A piece of ceramic stems from the traditional art of pottery, where a potter brings an invisible form trapped in clay, back to life. Ceramic art forms are created by molding clay and water into different shapes by the process of pottery prior to being subjected to heat. The history of ceramic objects can be traced back to the ancient civilizations that left behind artistic evidences as spoils of war, buried under the earth as remnants of their existence. Ceramic art is a remarkable art form that has stood the test of time by adapting to the changing times. It also commands a great deal of ... (read more)
Author: Susan Moberg
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22. Some famous brands to look out for the artistic minded
October 27, 2009
In any field there are certain famous names that are above the rest; be it pottery, glass ware, bone chinaware, porcelain products. This reputation is the base for their growing profits. Those who are fond of decorating their homes, offices with ornate products should stick to such brands as they offer a lot of innovative designs. Such small but catchy decorations are very popular among the masses.
Waterford Crystal is one of the most commended lead crystal ware today. Over the years many companies have sprung up to compete and imitate this glass line but none have been able to match the... (read more)
Author: jessica thomson
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23. Unusual Christmas Gifts
October 16, 2009
It’s that time of year again when we start looking at buying Christmas presents for our nearest and dearest. With a recession on many people are starting their shopping early which is a great idea and reduces the stress commonly related to the Christmas season. But finding unusual gifts can be tricky. If you go to all the popular high street shops you will find the usual sort of gifts we buy each year, soap gift sets, perfume gift sets and so on. But I always struggle to find something that you know when opened on Christmas day will make that person smile and really be appreciative of the ... (read more)
Author: carolyn clayton
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24. MB&F HM2 Ceramic Limited Edition Watches
October 14, 2009
MB&F presents Horological Machine No2 with a ceramic case. Two versions are available: ceramic with red gold (HM2-CR-limited to 33 pieces and ceramic with titanium (HM2-CTi)-limmited to 66 pieces.
Ceramic: there is nothing quite like it. In fact, nothing that even comes close! From exquisite 5,000 year old pottery to 300 km/hour brake disks on Formula One racing cars; from the aqueducts of the Roman Empire to 1,600°C heat shields on the space shuttle, ceramic's extreme versatility is complimented an incredible ability to shrug of time and adversity.
Like MB&F, ceramic effo... (read more)
Author: Mabel Xie
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25. How pottery is made
October 02, 2009
The process of making pottery is a rather intricate one, and over time, it has remained much the same. Pottery begins as malleable clay, which is rolled into a strand and thrown on a wheel. The earliest vessels were made when strands of clay were coiled and the interior and exterior of the vessels were smoothed to create a consistent surface. This technique is still taught to children today. Then, around 4000 B.C., the first pottery wheel was used in Egypt, heralding a new era in pottery making. Working with pottery on a wheel is called throwing, because it is the most important step is the... (read more)
Author: Kathy Johnson
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