on process
Then the handle is attached.
To prevent cracking, especially with parts like handles, pots need to dry very slowly in air-tight bags to prevent uneven moisture loss. At this point, they are referred to as "greenware".
Once the products are completely dry, they are placed in a "biscuit" oven and undergo their first firing process at a temperature climbing up to 1000 degrees Celsius – for 1.5 days.
After the stoneware clay is weighed and wedged, it takes its initial shape on a potter's wheel with the help of plenty of water and various tools. It is then left to dry for a period of time that varies depending on the season.
When the clay reaches the desired "leather-hard" dryness, it is placed back on the wheel – this time in reverse. The walls are thinned and the foot is shaped. Surface imperfections are removed and a shine is achieved.
After the glazes are checked, the ceramic pieces are either dipped or have the glaze poured onto/into them according to their shapes. They are left to sit for a day. Then, excess glaze drips are cleaned up for more uniform results.
The pots are placed on kiln shelves. Depending on the type of clay, they are fired for a final 1.5 days using a program that reaches temperatures of 1980 or 2040°C and ends with a slow cooling.
The inside of the kiln and the shelves are cleaned. Before glazing, the fired ceramics are rinsed with water to remove dust and other impurities, and then left to dry.
Before glazing, a green, wax material is applied to the foot ring of pots that will come into contact with the kiln shelf to prevent the glaze, which becomes fluid in the kiln, from fusing to the shelves.
on glazes
Glaze refers to the powdery mix applied onto pots and are created by mixing raw materials and oxides with water in specific proportions and formulations. It also refers to the glassy coating on the surface of the pot that is formed after a pot goes through chemical reactions in a kiln firing.
After a glaze recipe is formulated, small amounts are mixed to see initial results. If the results are satisfactory, the scale is increased.
Glazes are filtered and their density is measured before each glazing ceremony to standardize glaze performance, thereby minimizing surprises that can occur during a kiln firing.
Glazing is my least favorite part of ceramics, after its cleanup. A perfectly shaped pot can disappoint me when it comes out of the kiln, or it can have glaze flaws I can't figure out. A good glaze kiln, on the other hand, can put me in a good mood for several days.
"Greenware' clay reaches its final form after being fired twice. During this process, the water in the clay evaporates, causing the ceramics to shrink by an average of 10%."