Slipware is a form of ceramics that involves decorating lead-glazed earthenware. Primarily, slip is a liquid form of clay particles suspended in water. That is the simplest form. In its sophisticated form, slip features feldspars, colorants, frits, and fluxes. Usually, slip is in a bright color that bears great contrast to the body of the …
Slipware – Where Does it Come From? and How is it Made? Read More »
The potter’s wheel as we know it today has been on a long journey over 1000’s of years. It has developed from the most basic form of rotating device to the electrical pottery wheels, most potters use now. But exactly how and where did these changes take place, and what exactly is the potter’s wheel …
Potter’s Wheel History | How Ancient Pottery Wheels Evolved Read More »
An experienced potter can make throwing pottery on a wheel look effortless. But what is going on when pottery is being made on the wheel, and exactly how does a pottery wheel work? This post takes a look at how pottery is thrown, and how a pottery wheel works. A pottery wheel has a circular …
How Does a Pottery Wheel Work? – Art and Mechanics Read More »
If there is a potter in your life, and you are struggling to find them a gift, you have come to the right place. Pottery is full of gadgets, doohickeys, and thingummy bobs that can make perfect gifts for potters. If you are not into making pottery yourself, it can seem like a minefield. So, …
40 Perfect Gifts for Potters – To Suit Any Budget! Read More »
Wedging clay is a very good idea if you are making pottery on a potter’s wheel. But is it do you have to wedge clay when you are hand building your pottery? I love hand building pottery and I don’t love wedging! So, it was one of the questions I wondered about when I began …
Do You Have to Wedge Clay When You Are Hand Building? Read More »
I recently decided to make a set of dinner plates on my pottery wheel. They turned out quite nicely, but as they dried the dreaded S crack appeared in a lot of them. It got me frantically researching what causes S cracks in pottery and what I could do to prevent them. This is what …
S Cracks in Pottery – What Causes Them & How to Prevent Them Read More »
Manufacturer’s markings were introduced in 1850. They help in identifying and evaluating bone china dinnerware. Hence, bone china with no markings is challenging to assess and determine its origin. Antique or early bone china pieces don’t have markings since bone china was created in 1748 before producers introduced marks and stamps. In addition, some fresh …
Bone China With No Markings – Sizing Up Unmarked China Read More »
The differences between Bone China and Fine China tableware are numerous. However, if you place them side by side, you might not be able to tell them apart right at once as their design is almost similar. So, what exactly are the differences between Fine China vs Bone China? Fine China was introduced in BC …
Fine China Vs Bone China – What Exactly is the Difference? Read More »
I had boxes of beautiful old fine china from my grandmother, which were collecting dust. They were too ornate for me to use on a regular basis, but it was a shame to keep them boxed up. I started to wonder, who much does fine china sell for? So, I began to look into it, …
How Much Does Fine China Sell For? – Pricing Your China Read More »
Bone china is very popular due to its high level of whiteness, translucency, and durability. Nonetheless, due to the complex process used to manufacture it, the product has become very expensive. As a result, numerous counterfeit products still exist in the market. So, if you have some bone china how do you know it’s real? …
How to Identify Bone China – 7 Tips for Spotting Bone China Read More »
For something to be considered microwave safe, it should not melt or warp under microwave heat. The FDA mandates all manufacturers to clearly indicate whether or not their products can be used in the microwave. You can know if any kitchenware is microwave safe by checking for the “microwave safe” label on the underside. So, …
Is Bone China Microwave Safe? – Will it Survive the Zaps? Read More »
Bone China is an expensive and sophisticated type of porcelain that is meant to exude richness and great prestige. However, since it literally contains the word bone in it, a lot of vegans have questioned the ethics behind its design and manufacturing. So, is bone china vegan? The truth is just as the name suggests …
Is Bone China Vegan? – And is it Ethical or Cruelty-Free? Read More »
Porcelains range drastically in terms of quality, design, manufacturing process, and price. One type of porcelain that is very popular is bone china. It is the most elegant and opulent dinnerware material, with a dazzling white color, high transparency, and robustness. It brings high-end classical and contemporary style to any table. But, with its reputation …
Is Bone China Expensive? – The Price of Ceramic Beauty Read More »
Since bone china is technically a type of porcelain, it can be difficult for some people to distinguish between the two. However, several key differences exist. This article compares bone china vs porcelain, looking at some similarities and differences between the two. The key difference between porcelain and bone china is that porcelain does not …
Bone China Vs Porcelain -A Close Look at the Differences Read More »
Ceramic products were initially invented and widely used in China before spreading globally. You might have come across the name bone china while shopping around for kitchenware. But what is bone china exactly, and why are its products costly? Bone china is a type of ceramic made from finely ground bone ash mixed with feldspar …
What is Bone China? – The Truth About Bone China Read More »
Buying a pottery kiln can feel a little overwhelming. There are lots of models and types of kilns and it can be hard to know where to start. So, what is the best pottery kiln for beginners? This article aims to look at your options and help you decide which kiln will suit you best. …
Pottery Kiln for Beginners –12 Tips on Buying an Electric Kiln Read More »
One of the inevitable costs of owning a kiln is changing the elements now and then. But how long do kiln elements last? And how much will it cost each time you need to change them? These are good questions if you’re trying to work out how much it’s going to cost to maintain your …
How Long do Kiln Elements Last? – How Many Firings? Read More »
If you like making things out of clay, you may have thought about honing your skill and becoming a potter. But what does a potter do? And what is their working life like day-to-day? Here is all you need to know about the work and life of a potter. And what you can expect if …
What Does a Potter Do? A Day in the Life of a Potter Read More »
I admit it, I’m a thrift store junkie. Recently I picked up a beautiful second-hand porcelain dish in a thrift store. It’s certainly large enough to cook a casserole in, but it got me wondering, is porcelain oven safe? So, I looked into it carefully and discovered the following… Modern kitchenware that has been made …
Is Porcelain Oven Safe? – Using Porcelain in the Oven Read More »
If you are starting to use terra sigillata, it’s most likely that you have made your own batch. But perhaps you are wondering what temperature to fire terra sigillata. After all, if you have made your own, you won’t have any manufacturers firing guidelines! There is quite a variety of opinions about the temperature to …
What Temperature to Fire Terra Sigillata? | What Works Best? Read More »