Stages of Clay& Joined Pinch Pot Lanterns

Ceramics 1

Stages of Clay

• Slip• Plastic• Leather hard• Bone Dry• Bisqueware• Glazeware

Greenware

Slip

Clay in liquid form.

Slip is used as a glue to fuse two

pieces of clay together.

Plastic

Clay in work-able form.

Plastic clay is clay straight from the bag

that is molded or thrown on the wheel. It is soft and easy to

work with.

Leather HardClay that has begun to dry

and harden.

Leather hard clay can be carved into, or shaped using tools. It is strong

enough to withstand the pressure of the tools, but

soft enough that it can still break with little effort.

Bone DryClay that is completely dry.

When the clay is completely formed and carved, it is left out to dry for several days.

When all of the moisture evaporates out of the clay,

the clay turns to a light gray color, and is warm to the touch, it is bone dry and

ready for firing.

Bisque ware

Clay that has been fired in the kiln.

When clay is fired, it is no longer called “clay” it is

called “ceramic.” A bisque fire is the first time you fire your clay. Bisque ware is

hard, solid clay- it will break if you drop it.

Glaze wareClay that has been glazed, and fired a second time.

Glaze ware is what we call a piece of ceramic

that has been glazed and fired, again. Glaze is a

paint-like substance made up of several

particles, including glass, that melts when heated and as it cools, turns a

color and solidifies.

The KilnWe use electric kilns where coiled wires

bring up the heat (much like a large toaster ). They can go up to about 5,000 degrees.

Both the inside AND the outside are extremely hot!

Project 2: Joined Pinch Pot Lanterns

Lanterns…

• What is a lantern?• a transparent or translucent, usually portable, case

for enclosing a light and protecting it from the wind, rain, etc.

• What are they used for?• a source of light, decoration, offerings.

Loi Krathong (Floating Crown)

• A festival celebrated annually throughout Thailand and certain parts of Laos and Burma .

Jack-O-Lantern

• A hollowed out pumpkin with a scary face carved into it with a light inserted into it to create a glowing face. These originated in Ireland and were used to ward off evil spirits on Halloween.

Japanese Garden Lantern

• The Ancient Japanese used to make lanterns for their gardens as offerings to Buddah.

How to Make a Lantern

1. Form the clan into a softball

sized ball

2. Cut the clay in halfand form two equally

sized/shaped pinch pots

How to Make a Lantern3. Score the outter lip of

both pinch pots using the scoring tool.

4. Generously apply slip to the scored edges.

How to Make a Lantern

6. When leather hard, roll your egg to make the sides

even.

5. Blend the two pinch pots together so the seam isn’t

visible. You may need to add a coil reinforcement.

How to Make a Lantern7. Cut an opening at the top/bottom of your lantern and smooth out the edges.

8. Using a pin tool sketch your approved design into your lantern.

9. Using the xacto knife, pierce your design into the lantern.

Pierced Decoration

When making the pattern, the parts of clay left between the holes must be strong enough not to break, the more spaces there are, the weaker it becomes.

If the cutting has left a rough edge, smooth it out with a wet soft brush.

While cutting, support the piece from behind with your other hand or hold an object against it.

You Will Be Graded On:

The structure of your lantern:Did you follow directions?Can I see the seam?Is it symmetrical?Is it large enough?

The design of your lantern:Is it interesting?Is it clean?Is it original?

The glaze application:Is it even?Does it have unity?Does it add to or distract from your piece?

Your effort & time management:Is your project done on time?Did you utilize every class period?Did you use all tools properly?Did you follow clean-up procedures?

Previous Student Examples:

Previous Student Examples: