Clay Basics

Goals as an Artist

Clay must be thoroughly covered up with PLASTIC to keep it from drying out. This applies to works in progress and wet clay.
Clay DUST is harmful to breathe in if you are exposed to it for long periods of time, because it contains SILICA. So keep your area clean, clay scraps off the floor and clean with water and a sponge.
Clay can be no thicker than YOUR THUMB.
In order for clay to stick together it MUST be SCORED and SLIPPED together while the clay is wet or leather hard.
WEDGE clay to remove air bubbles, achieve uniform consistency, and to line up the particles of clay.
Things that can cause clay to EXPLODE during firing:
1. MOISTURE -- Make sure clay is completely dry before having it fired.
2. TRAPPED AIR -- don’t have any forms completely enclosed (create a hole so air can escape).
Don't GLAZE the bottom of a piece. If glaze gets on the bottom, WIPE IT OFF!
Once clay has been FIRED it cannot be recycled.
Handle your project with CARE at all times. Never lift pots by the RIM or by the HANDLE until they’ve been fired.
NEVER TOUCH ANOTHER PERSON’S WORK! Unless you ask permission.

Work needs to not be thicker than your thumb. Clay has moisture in it and moisture expands in heat. So before firing, it needs to dry out. If the clay is too thick, you run the risk of there still being moisture inside the walls which will blow up when fired.
Trapped air expands in heat and it will blow up too. Add an airhole somewhere to let the air escape as it expands.