2. Do cover clay with a plastic bag to keep it from drying
out. This applies to works in progress and moist clay.
A damp paper towel should be added to the bag if the
project will not be touched for two days or more.
3. Do keep your area clean while you are working and after you
are finished. Gather any clay scraps off the floor and clean
with water and a sponge. Clay dust can be harmful if you are
exposed to it for long periods of time, so you must use a
damp sponge to clean areas.
4. Don’t create appendages sticking out from the main
part of the piece that are longer than your thumb or
thicker than your thumb. If the piece is longer you can
wrap it around the piece. If it is thicker you must
hollow it out.
5. Do use the score and slip method to
attach clay to clay. This must be done
in the moist and/or leather hard
stages.
6. Do wedge clay to remove air bubbles, achieve
uniform consistency, and to line up the particles
of clay. Clay straight from the bags is rep-
wedged but recycled clay will need to be
wedged.
7. Do hollow out sculptural forms and put needle holes from the
bottom so air can escape. Trapped air can cause clay to
explode. Hollowed out forms dry quicker. Any piece NOT
hollowed out will not be fired.
8. Do handle your project with two hands at all times. In
other words BE CAREFUL it’s your hard work. Never
lift pots by the rim. Don’t HANDLE ANOTHER
PERSONS WORK EVEN IF IT LOOKS COOL! You may
break it!
9. Do put your name on the bottom of each
piece or you will not receive a grade!
10. DO NOT LEAVE THE BAG OF CLAY OPEN!!!!!!!!!!
WRAP UP THE BAG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WRONG! NO, NO, AND NO!
CORRECT! YES, YES, AND YES!
16. Do wash the clay dust from your piece by
running it under water. Wash the bisque
piece before you glaze it.
17. Do use only the brushes that are especially for glazes. MAKE
sure they are washed dried and put away after each use! ALL
GLAZE BRUSHES MUST BE WASHED OUT VERY THOUGHTLY!
18. Do use only “Food Safe” glazes on pieces
you plan to eat from, at least on the inside
of the piece. Clear glaze is always food safe.
Most glazes are marked, if you are unsure
ASK!
19. Do use the pour method when glazing a
piece with a narrow neck or large inside.
ONLY USE CLEAR GLAZE! You only have to
do it once.
20. Do brush on glaze in three thin coats. You only
need two coats of clear glaze.
Do fill the brush with a good amount of glaze
and brush it on very quickly. It will dry very fast.
21. DO NOT GLAZE THE BOTTOM OF YOUR
PIECE AND LEAVE A ¼ INCH UNGLAZED
RIM AROUND THE BOTTOM.
22. Do use more than one colour of glaze
on a piece but DO NOT MIX GLAZES.
Some colours run more than others.
23. Do shake the jar and then after opening it stir it with the
handle of the glaze brush. Wipe the handle clean with your
fingers back into the jar.
24. Do wipe the rim of the jar and the inside of the lid to
prevent it from sticking later when finished using.
