Bird and Tray

Purpose: Explore pinching a sculpture, texturing slabs, and utilizing glaze techniques 

While making my tray and bird I learned alot about clay one thing being timing. When it comes to clay timing is key, what I mean by this is if you wait too long the clay cracks and becomes very difficult but if you move too quickly the clay will look sloppy and also has a chance of cracking. It's also important when planning to carve a piece of clay to let the clay dry out a little so the carving tool can glide and let the clay crumble as you carve it helps for neat and intricate designs. When I started ceramics it wasn't the first time I've worked with clay but since I've been here the amount of patience you have to have with your pieces surprised me, but patience is crucial for intercut and neat pieces!  

Even while glazing time is important. When it comes to glazing letting the glaze dry and giving it time for layering is crucial. If you don't let it dry when you go to layer colors can smear and layer too thick causing the glaze to boil and resulting in unwanted glass bubbles. I would like to learn to work with different kinds of glazes ones with different crackles, or ones with more specks that burst making unique colorations.