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Sgraffito is a technique where the surface layer of slip or underglaze is scratched away to reveal the contrasting clay body beneath. Examples: decorated plates, vases.

Underglaze is a colored decoration applied to pottery which can be fired and remain porous for a clear overglaze. Examples: detailed pictorial decoration, patterns.

Porcelain is a high-firing clay known for its whiteness, translucency, and high strength after firing. Examples: fine china, delicate pottery pieces.

Throwing is the process of shaping clay on a potter’s wheel to create vessels. Examples: creating a vase, bowl, or cup on the wheel.

Bisque refers to pottery that has been fired once without glaze to make it hard and porous, preparing it for glazing. Examples: a bisque-fired bowl, mug or sculpture.

Slip is liquid clay used as a glue for joining pieces of clay or for surface decoration. Examples: applying slip to join a handle to a mug, slip trailing for decoration.

Glaze is a coating applied to pottery that vitrifies upon firing, creating a glassy surface. Examples: applying clear glaze for gloss, colored glaze for decoration.

Stoneware is a clay that is fired at a high temperature and becomes non-porous and durable. Examples: daily-use tableware, stoneware crocks.

Raku is a low-firing process involving removing pottery from the kiln while hot and placing it into combustible materials to create unique effects. Examples: raku-fired vessels, artistic pieces with crackled glaze.

Wedging is a technique used to prepare clay for working, by kneading to homogenize the consistency, remove air pockets and ensure uniformity. Examples: spiral wedging, ram’s head wedging.

Leather-hard refers to a stage of drying clay where it is still moist enough to be joined or carved but holds its shape. Examples: attaching handles, carving surface designs.

Earthenware is a low-fire clay that remains porous and is often glazed for functionality. Examples: terracotta pots, decorative tiles.

Grog is fired clay that has been ground up and is added to clay bodies to reduce shrinkage and add texture. Examples: rough textured sculptures, stoneware.

Bone dry is the stage where clay is completely air-dried before the first firing, and is very fragile. Examples: unfired pottery waiting to be bisque fired.

Slab building is a hand-building technique using flat pieces of clay to construct forms. Examples: slab-built mugs, vase, plates.

A kiln is an insulated chamber used to fire pottery, achieving high temperatures required for vitrification. Examples: electric kiln, gas kiln, wood-fired kiln.

Firing is the process of heating pottery in a kiln to a specific temperature to harden the clay and set glaze. Examples: bisque firing, glaze firing.

Coiling is a hand-building technique where ropes of clay are stacked and joined to form vessels. Examples: hand-built pots, sculptures.

Vitrification is the process where clay particles melt and fuse together during firing, making the pottery watertight. Examples: fully vitrified stoneware, vitreous porcelain.