Clay & Pottery: A Quick Reference Guide

Clay & Pottery: A Quick Reference Guide

A short, plain-language primer on the material behind everything in my shop. What clay actually is, the difference between earthenware, stoneware and porcelain, why grogged clay behaves differently, how much clay bodies shrink, and how to dry your pieces properly so they don't crack.

Handy to read once before diving into any of my step-by-step guides, or to keep nearby whenever a term like "leather-hard" or "slip" comes up and you want a quick explanation.

This free guide covers:

• What clay is and where it comes from
• Earthenware, stoneware and porcelain, explained simply
• Grogged (chamotte) clay and why it's used
• Shrinkage, and how much to expect
• Making and using slip
• Drying your pieces without cracks