Ceramic Arts and Crafts Guide...

From the ninth century, ceramic arts and crafts were one of the most widespread of the crafts. Potters occupied large quarters of the towns in the region, producing everyday ware and unique pieces, earthenware vessels, anthropomorphic figures, and utensils for thousands of years. Since that time they handed down their knowledge to the generations that followed.

Each generation and region throughout history having its own unique characteristics in the ceramic arts and crafts it produced. People made containers by kneading, shaping and baking clay. Today ceramic crafts can be found in high voltage insulators to day-to-day used tableware.Ceramic is Greek word "keramos" meaning earthenware.

Material required

Ceramic ware is made of hard brittle material produced from nonmetallic minerals by firing at high temperature. Ceramic clay is classified in three categories based on fired density of the finished wares.

While the terms "earthenware," "stoneware," and "porcelain" are used with other characteristics of the clay, such as color or workability; each of these terms refers to the degree of density or porosity of the fired works.

Ceramic arts and crafts require simple, inexpensive tools like rolling pin. You will require a kiln to fire your work. The new type of clay called polymer clay can be baked at oven temperatures and it requires air-drying only.

To get started you can follow books, videotapes and workshops. Ceramic crafts by hand building can be very creative and rewarding.

Types of Firing:

• Oxidation
• Reduction
• Salt
• Wood
• Raku

Oxidation firing is typically done in an electric kiln, but can also be done in a gas kiln. Oxygen is free to interact with the glazes when firing. Reduction firing is typically done in a gas or other fuel-burning kiln, since the corrosive effects wear out the elements on an electric kiln. In reduction firing, oxygen is prevented from interacting with the glazes during glaze maturation. Wood firing uses wood as fuel instead of gas or propane. Raku is a technique where a pot is heated until glowing, then pulled with tongs from the kiln and placed into a reduced atmosphere, such as a metal can full of pine needles, newspaper or leaves.

Ceramic craft ideas

Ceramic arts and crafts can be a great hobby and it can be rewarding also. You can make gifts for birthdays, weddings and house warming ceremonies like no other. Learn ceramics and make beautiful gift items for your friend, family and for profit.