When taking up pottery, these are some terms you'll hear right off the bat (yes, pun intended). 

Clay Body: clay is produced everywhere in the world. It is a truly organic material coming from the ground we walk on. Clay bodies vary from groggy - a clay that feels sandy and fires with a pleasing rough texture -  to smooth-as-silk porcelain with its velvet finish. Some clays fire opaque and light can pass through. Some clays are substantial and robust; some are smooth and plastic, and a few feel a bit like dense Jell-O, having high plasticity. Those clays, like Plainsman Polar Ice, take some skill to learn to throw well. 

We get the majority of our clays from Plainsman, and I also really like working with Tuckers Bright White, granite clay, and occasionally black clay. 

Cones: You will immediately hear, "We fire to cone six/cone 10." Cone means two things: temperature, and a literal cone. In kilns without an electronic programming function, literal cones are placed inside to gauge when the kiln temperature has reached the right point for the clay. Usually, three cones are inserted into a little pad of clay and the potter or kiln manager watches the cones for the correct bend; Straight up or slight lean - still too cool; bent completely over and becoming flat - too hot; with a nice circular curve - just right. 

Glazes and Underglazes
Glaze is what makes everything pretty, colourful and food safe. All glazes are glass, and all have certain base formulations to help them stick, melt, run, and other elements for colour.
Underglazes are products that are made from coloured slip - wet clay which is the consistency of cream - with a variety of colorants and additives. These can be applied to greenware - unfired clay - or to bisqueware - clay that has gone through one firing.

Want to get nerdy?
Click here for a glossary of pottery terms