Ceramics Terms & Rules

• Viscosity- lubricated, prevents friction (add water)
  
• Plasticity- moldable, mailable, workable
  
• Feldspar- powdered stone that, mixed with water, makes clay (as opposed to dirt, soil, mud, earth, etc.)
• Chemical water- trapped moisture at the molecular level that can cause breaks and blow ups in the kiln
  
• Structural integrity- stays together, durable
  
• Consistency of Density- while plastic, makes clay more workable, while drying, prevents cracks and crumbles
  
• Rule of Thumb- Anything thicker than your thumb needs to be hollow, this helps with structural integrity and prevents chemical water
  
• No paper in the clay barrel, it breeds mold and microbes
  
• Please cover the clay barrel at the end of class, so it won't dry out