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Expert Insights



What's the difference between porcelain and ceramics?

Porcelain, clay or ceramics? Why are there so many terms and what's the difference anyway? Lets get into it- Porcelain is a distinctive subset within the realm of ceramics, it has its place within the broader category of ceramics. While some people might view porcelain as its own distinct medium, it is, in fact, a type of clay used in ceramic production, a subcategory of ceramics. Porcelain is highly regarded for its remarkable translucency, pure white appearance, and exquisite fine-grained texture. It is made primarily from a specific type of clay known as kaolin, which is recognised for its purity and plasticity. The process of creating porcelain involves firing it at extremely high temperatures, often around 1300C, which results in a vitrified...

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The stages of making pottery.

The creation of ceramics is a lengthy and multi-stage process, it transforms raw clay into a finished piece of art or functional pottery. These stages involve various techniques and firings, each crucial to the final result. Preparing Raw Clay: The journey begins with raw clay, often sourced from natural deposits. This clay is cleaned to remove impurities and rocks, then wedged to ensure uniform consistency. Wedging involves kneading the clay, which removes air bubbles and creates a smooth, workable material. You can get a machine called a pugmill to do the manual work for you, a true luxury! Forming: Once the clay is prepared, artists choose their forming method. This can include wheel-throwing, hand-building (using techniques like pinching, coiling, or...

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Techniques for making ceramics

Did you know there are three main areas of making in ceramics? Pottery, hand building and slip casting. Here at Natasha Swan Ceramics we focus on making on the potters wheel but there are so many areas you could try for yourself.

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