Pottery Questions

Pottery is the art and craft of making objects from clay, which are then hardened by heat -- usually in a kiln -- to create durable items like bowls, mugs, vases, and sculptures.

• Forming: The clay is shaped by: • Hand-building (coil, slab, pinch methods) • Throwing on a pottery wheel • Drying: Letting the piece air-dry until it becomes “bone dry” • Bisque Firing: First kiln firing, turns clay into bisque • Glazing: A decorative and sealing coating is applied • Glaze Firing: Second firing, melts the glaze and finishes the piece

In short, ceramic bisque is the stage between raw clay and finished pottery -- strong enough to decorate, but not waterproof until it's glazed and fired again.

Ceramic glaze is a glass-like coating that’s applied to pottery or ceramics to give it a smooth, decorative, and waterproof finish. It's what makes ceramic pieces shiny, colorful, and food-safe.

Acrylic glaze is a clear or tinted paint medium used to create translucent layers over surfaces, typically in decorative painting, faux finishes, or crafts. It's not fired in a kiln and is different from traditional ceramic glaze. Note: If you're decorating bisque pottery with acrylic glaze, it's usually for display purposes. It won’t be food-safe or waterproof unless sealed with a clear topcoat.