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Story by
CampanaCeramics,
Vanessa
Published on April 30, 2009 in Reviews |
Photo by |
A search through the Ceramics and Pottery Category here on Etsy can at first seem intimidating. The enormous variety of work seems to be just barely held together by a common thread. This category encompasses many items that could rightfully be placed in other categories such as Art, Housewares, Jewelry, Geekery, Holidays, Dolls and Miniatures, Accessories and Everything Else. That tiny thread, the one thing pulling these items into this category as opposed to those others,
is the material that all of these items are made out of — ceramics! The term ceramics refers to any clay that has been fired and transformed from fragile dirt-like material to a hard and permanent stone. Once the transformation occurs, ceramic objects can survive tens of thousands of years (provided nobody drops them).
I’m Jeff Campana, aka CampanaCeramics of jeffcampana.com, and I'm full-time artist and instructor of ceramics at the University of Louisville. In this article I will guide you through the Ceramics and Pottery Category. I hope to instill the knowledge you’ll need in your search for that perfect Etsy find. While exposing various aspects of the ceramic process, I will introduce you to a few fine Etsy shops along the way.
Material
Clay is a naturally occurring material, a mass of chemically weathered rocks. Geologic in origin, clay as we use it can be dug up from deposits or mixed from clays found in a number of regions, or even countries, for optimal appearance and working qualities. At webbpottery, Alabama potter Anne Webb digs up and processes her own clay from local deposits. Below, you can see her clay mixer, which is actually a 1915 dough mixer.
Inexpensive but labor intensive, this native clay stoneware has a unique color and texture that would be hard to artificially create by blending materials. 
Conversely, the stark purity of imported and highly refined porcelain is the opposite in several ways. It comes mixed, de-aired, ready to use, and is very expensive, often shipped internationally. Once the symbol of technology, early porcelain ware from China was highly valued as a precious commodity, likened to gold. The material beauty of porcelain is utilized nicely in Yashabutler’s simple and elegant porcelain bowls and jewelry.
Temperature
Ceramics can be divided into three categories based on firing temperature: low fire, midrange and high fire. Each of these categories offer something unique.
Low fire, also known as earthenware, is typified by red terra cotta clay, but comes in a white version as well. It offers the brightest color palette and the lowest environmental impact: energy used to fire the ware and highly processed materials are minimized. Potter Martyfielding takes his environmental concerns a step further. “My studio is powered by green electricity generated from methane collected from Vermont dairy farms.” Artists also choose this material for visceral appeal they have for it. Dawn Ferguson of fergusonpottery leaves parts of her pots unglazed to show off her favorite aspect of the material. “I want you to feel this beautiful red earthenware I work with because it is so rich and gorgeous.”
High Fire ceramics, consisting of both porcelain and stoneware, is known for its durability and strength, but limited color palette. Having been fired to nearly a glass, this vitrified substance is as hard as stone, hence the name, stoneware. Stoneware is usually rough in texture and grey to brown in color. It is a forgiving material to work with, allowing for large scale work and complicated fabrication. The large 4 gallon stoneware jars by Baumanstoneware exemplify what is possible with the earthy and workable properties of this material.
Porcelain is known for its white color, and in some cases translucency, as seen below in stepanka's cups. It is the most challenging type of clay to work with, having tendencies to sag, crack, and crumble in the hands of the artist. 
Working with porcelain takes patience and finesse, but to its devotees, it is the most seductive and sensual material. 
Between high fire and low fire lies the aptly-named Midrange ceramics, a middle ground possessing some of the wide color spectrum associated with low fire and some of the durability associated with high fire. Jenni Brant of Burrobranch dresses her feminine porcelain forms in pastel pinks and yellows, made possible by lower firing temperatures.
See some of Burrobranch's process below.
Forming Methods
The most popular and familiar method for making pottery is called throwing. A mass of clay is centered on a spinning wheel. The clay is methodically manipulated into a hollow pottery form using just hands and minimal tools. Whitneysmith and her friend Frank made an amazing video, demonstrating her throwing skills, and posted it on her blog. Potters develop a personal approach to throwing as they learn, and often have a distinctive sensibility to form.
Dry throw demonstration from frank-e-t on Vimeo.
Watch an Etsy Process video with KimWestad to see this artist in her studio.
Slab building is a common method used in both sculpture and pottery applications. Clay is rolled out into sheets and formed using molds or free hand. Patterns can be cut and assembled in a fashion similar to sewing or woodworking, depending upon the dryness. The effects of this forming method can vary from the fluid drapery of carolbarclay’s folded porcelain vase to the crisp angular wall pillows of Stepanka.
Slip casting, a popular method of producing multiples, starts with liquefied clay. It is poured into a plaster mold. As the moisture is drawn into the plaster, a wall of hardened clay forms in the shape of the mold. When the wall reaches the desired thickness, the excess liquid is removed and the piece is allowed to dry. The slick pottery from jillrosenwald and CircaCeramics are created this way, as well as the cerebral industrial sculptures of ricochetstudio. 
Circaceramics, for instance, design and make their own shapes and molds on their own machinery. See their flickr set for more about this process.
Glaze
Glaze is the glass coating found on many ceramic objects. It seals and protects the clay while adding color and depth to the surface. Some artists use premixed commercial glazes while others see glaze as yet another realm of experiments and possibilities. Working in a pseudo-scientific manner, variations upon a recipe are carefully tested and recorded. Basically a combination of various crushed minerals and metallic oxides, glaze recipes are carefully weighed out and mixed into a slurry to be applied to the ceramics and fired for highly personalized effects.
Artist Melissa Schooley of RagingBowl, maker of the gorgeous fruit bowl below, puts in the time to get it just right. 
“The recipe that's on my work took me about three years to get it just where I wanted it — colour, surface, texture and drippiness.”
Firing
Some artists are drawn to the firing process, often done with a kiln. With ample fodder for even the most extreme pyromaniac, ceramics for some is about playing with fire. With temperatures reaching 2350 degrees fahrenheit, high fire wood kilns draw crowds, and concerned firefighters, to sublime displays of pyrotechnics. I had the opportunity to visit accomplished potter Mark Skudlarek of cambridgepottery’s wood kiln some years ago. Built like an upside-down boat hull, his giant noborigama kiln, 
which he built with Allamakee Wood-fired Pottery, fires nearly 2000 pots at a time using only wood as fuel.
The effect of this process is evident in this unglazed plate. Ash and salts from the burning wood accumulate and form a natural glaze on the surface.
Many artists choose the convenience and economic benefits of electric kilns. Relatively small and widely available, electric kilns can be placed in almost any studio, and require only an oven or refrigerator electrical hookup to install. The popularity of electric kilns spans all temperature ranges. 
A glaze unique to electric kilns, crystalline glaze, is made using a computer controlled firing cycle, Jon Price of CrystallineGlaze finds the scientific rigor of this type of glaze to be a match for his personality. “I have an immense amount of energy, technical curiosity, great patience, enjoy constantly pushing the limits of what one can do — and I don't mind getting up in the middle of the night to tend the kiln!” He discusses the demands of his glaze in his shop announcement. “The number of crystals and their sizes, shapes, and colors are determined not only by the chemicals in the glaze, but also depend heavily upon the exact heating schedule that the piece underwent while firing.”
Gas kilns, fueled by either propane or natural gas, are widely used as well. These types of kilns are very dependable and easily go to high temperatures, but require a lot of knowledge and experience to properly fire. In reduction firing, a popular type of gas firing method, the fire in the kiln is purposely given too much fuel, causing the combustion reaction to pull oxygen molecules from the clay and glazes, yielding unique results. Creativewithclay's Sassy Teapot dipped in just one glaze, is a prime example of the sort of effects that draw people to gas firing. 
Raku, a popular firing method for decorative ceramics, is a process in which objects are taken from the kiln while still red hot, and placed within a pile of combustible material such as hay, sawdust or paper to cool and smolder. Stunning effects — such as the Horse hair urn by rmello (below left), Crackle on the bottles by wildcardpottery (below right), and Oil Slick on Raku4u's copper contrast pot (at the bottom) — are all achieved through this type of firing.
Below, Raku4u during a raku firing.
Shoppers should be aware that objects fired in this way are not intended for functional purposes. Ron Mello aka rmello of www.ronmellostudio.com offers this warning to his customers: "Like all raku-fired work, this piece is a fragile, non-functional piece and should be handled carefully and not exposed to water or strong light. It is suitable for dry flowers and other materials. You may insert a plastic or glass liner for cut flowers."
Stay tuned for Part 2 of Ceramics and Pottery, in which Jeff gives insights into the exquisite detail found in this category. Etsy has so much to offer shoppers — it's like a whole universe! In this Facts and Fancies series, we'll take you on a tour through Etsy's Categories. As we visit these "planets" one by one, we'll talk to sellers and experts and find some of extraordinary items on Etsy. (We'll also get some great insider tips along the way.)
Give a shout out in the comments if you've ever tried to work with clay — one of the most difficult artistic mediums. Don't these artists make it look easy?
Further Resources:
Clayart Archives: http://potters.org - Useful process information and a helpful community
Ceramic Arts Daily : http://www.ceramicartsdaily.org/ - A blog by the makers of Ceramics Monthly Magazine
Learn about more of Etsy's Categories with our Facts and Fancies Reviews.
Visit the MUD Team's Shop.
132 comments Login to add your own!
TheDizzyPixie
Such lovely items! I've recently been slightly obsessed with ceramics. There are so many beautiful items here on Etsy!
adoreneko
I'm going to make my own wedding registry and put ceramics from Etsy sellers rather than fine china.
BowWowBeds
Terrific article. Everything is just gorgeous! Such talent...Thanks for sharing!
FireflyDesignStudio
Great info! I love looking at ceramic artists creations, especially beads, pendants, buttons and jewelry :)
CampanaCeramics
Thanks all, more to come. This is the broad overview, the next one will go into the more personal and intricate processes found in the studios of many great Etsy sellers!
KreatedbyKelly
HaydenJ
Such a big fan of Jeff's work ~ Thanks for featuring additional ceramic artists... I love RagingBowls fruit bowl!
StudioElan
mudpuppy
etcArts
worksofwhimsy
Thank you for demystifying the process. Etsy has so many talented ceramic artists.
JDWolfePottery
Great article! Nice to see Mark Skudlarek's work included. I am a big fan of his work.
stellaloella
This is a wonderfully informative article. Ceramics and pottery on Etsy is near and dear to my heart. This is making me wish to get back into the clay studio. Thanks for sharing this wealth of info, Jeff!
jcocole
Very nicely done. What an amazing way to tell someone what clay has to offer.
krakenmosaics
Thanks for the wonderfully informative article. I love ceramics and pottery and I secretly wish I had room in my life for a kiln so I could experiment myself. I have been living vicariously through my favorite sellers.
tannerglass
This was really educational! Wonderfully written, and explained. Thank you!
larimeloom
beautiful..whe I was little I used to dream I'd be a potter when I grew up :)
almapottery
well done,great informative article. Good to see some of you guys in action,Anne's clay mixer looks great.
DancingDolphinPotter
Fantastic article, Jeff! Loved all the featured potters showing off various methods and styles. Great!
Emburr
EJPcreations
Raku4u
Great article & I especially appreciate the user friendly presentation of information.....terrific overview! Kudos!
lovelygifts
Very interesting and informative article. Beautiful items in pictures. Oh, and love the buttons!!
jenniferlynnstudio
Great article..I love seeing all that artistic talent on Etsy. I also enjoyed Kim's video yesterday.
missindie
Oh my word! I use to work in a pottery shop and this article makes me miss it so much!
strawberrykisses
CaroleEpp
DalkullanJewelry
EpicBones
themagicalbean
MagnoliaFern
The whole process is so intimidating! Any chance you guys will cover Polymer Clays for those of us who only dare fire with the kitchen oven?
lesperancetile
whitneysmith
Awesome article Jeff, I think I learned a thing or two as well! Thank you.
dragonhouseofyuen
thanks Jeff - for a brilliant article - enjoyed reading every single word!
I have loved porcelains ever since I can remember and collect some beautiful pieces - and like Jeff says - there is something here for everyone!
A couple of years ago I took a pottery course to make ornaments, as it had been a burning desire for many years! unfortunately it was all so confusing in the firing process glaze/underglaze department that I discontinued after 2 blocks in exasperation.
I would like to try again some time, with prior knowledge about the glazes/colours before final firing!
But I did make this little squirrel keepsake box for my niece for her Christening gift :)
http://www.dragonhouseofyuen.co.uk/fr...
LaveMeSoapCo
MyJunkyTrunk
So amazing! I never realized how labor-intensive the process of making such beautiful pieces is. Wow!
muddyfingers
Great article! Thank you for showcasing these talented artists. Loved the dry throwing video by Whitney Smith!
redhotpottery
pamwares
LastChantsStudio
Such great descriptions of everything, from clays to kilns and all of the aspects of our addiction to the art! It means alot when the buyers, as well as the creators can read an article and actually feel what the writer is saying about the process from beginning to end. Thanks and I'm clapping my muddy little hands!
GlazedOver
Gosh, a gorgeously crafted piece of writing about gorgeously crafted works of ceramic art...of course you are a University level ceramics instructor!
I've found that a lot of people have no idea how elaborate, time consuming and skill dependent clay work is. Thank you for shouting "clay" from the rooftops!
patspottery
zwyner
I love wood fired pieces - if I had access to a wood kiln, that would be enough to get me working with stoneware again.
asundrynotion
A really good article! I admire the time and genuine talent required to create beautiful ceramics. It's not easy.
jjceramics
Awesome article Jeff! Extremely well written and its so nice to see such an in depth explanation of the many styles and techniques out there. Proof of why this medium is so fascinating and addictive, always more to learn.
quejimenez
absolutely wonderful and informative article...now i really can't wait to take a ceramics class thank you so much for sharing all this information with us!!!
terraworks
ClaudiaLord
Excellent article!! Great information and beautiful works! When I was younger I always wanted to take a pottery class. When I finally did I discovered that (1) I was totally incompetent with clay and (2)I hated the feeling of the drying clay on my hands! Although I still use one of my "creations" (and I use the term very loosely) as a doorstop!
MichelleStudio
siennaorlando
Awesome! One of my FAVORITE things about Etsy is seeing handmade ceramics empowered! Over the past few decades it has become so devalued, but not here!
dahlhaus
Great article- really informative to those who may not be able to understand all the potter's lingo! Thanks Jeff!
annaspots
Wonderful article!! Thank you for helping to educate potential buyers. The more you know about this wonderful material, the more it draws you in.
I am still learning more and more about clay and its properties...what it does and does not want to do. I continue to push the clay to the limit and develop techniques to push it just that little bit further!
sandali
AWESOME article filled with fun & facts to make anyone trigger happy -- really enjoyed it ;)
juditavill
This is a really great article!!!! It's a super view of how different potters/ceramic artists cam be!
SweetpeaCottage
Awesome Article! And some very very nice work showcased!
PattyBilbro
Nice article. Nice representation of all the variety in clay.
Heathersclayworks
Great Article!
Very informative for etsy buyers/sellers.
I look forward to reading more.
LomaPrietaPottery
Terrific article-very informative. Well illustrated with wonderful items.
amantecatl
butterflyel
Thank you very much for the article. It was great. I look forward to more articles on ceramics of all kinds.
vaeda
littlepinkpebble
fantastic article~!! I loved the one with the golden pee : )
rozzie
A great read. I love the ceramic arts stores that we have on etsy! such talent! I'm especially fans of JDwolfePottery and WhitneySmith!
Ceramic artists face a challenge with shipping costs, something that as a jewelry artist, I feel lucky it's quite simple for me!
JessicaSharrah
pouch
there are some amazing ceramic artists on etsy, a particular favourite of mine is Seaurchin from the UK :)
NewMoonStudio
GoldhawkPotteryEtc
Thank you for this great introduction to the diversity of pottery. I work with stoneware and it is a challenging medium but so much fun to work with. And we never know exactly what we will get after we open the kiln! I plan to share this with others.
PotteryByGini
neawear
I love love love ceramics!
I am powerless in front of them and my handmade pottery collection is growing each month, especially mugs!
I wish all ceramics makers would sell international so I could buy from all of you! :)
khphillips
Wonderful, this article has to be one of the best written pieces I've seen that encompasses so much in so little space. I can't wait for the next!
organiceramic
looking forward to more wonderful articles on ceramics from you. I'm glad someone stepped forward to set everyone straight on ceramics vocabulary:)
chARiTyelise
what a great piece Jeff!! i really enjoyed reading every little nugget. i love pottery so much-- and i love potters just as much! this was a fun little window into more processes of many of the muddy people whom i already adore!
foxpots
Great article! Loved the comprehensive coverage both in subject matter and in featured artists - can't wait for the next installment.
mythunderstood
The little boy tinkling - that beats out any 'precious moment'!!!!
CampanaCeramics
Yeah, there's sort of a Midas Touch thing going on as well. I love that piece so much.
Adornyourself
Terrific article and I love the choices of pottery featured in this article, I will look forward to the follow ups.
BlueTerracotta
Great article! I love the part about artists who choose terracotta for the visceral appeal...spot on for me!
SASessories
gorgeous pieces featured! i toured the Frankoma Pottery factory (in Oklahoma) this past spring & even took a private tour of Frank's house by his daughters (he is gone now).... their whole house was made of handmade tiles & was super 70's swankiness!! it was SOOO much fun!
jorgensenstudio
What a great article! So much information and some really amazing pottery.
The etsy mudteam is a great group and very generous with sharing information and helping out potters at all levels.
Creativewithclay
Amazing article. It is compiled very well. I am looking forward to reading more and thanks for including my Sassy Teapot. :)
voleurdebijoux
Fabulous article with such wonderful selections of beautiful pottery! :)
mojospastyle
I learned so much about ceramics from this article. Love the cake stand!
ginpins
HelMade
This is a great overview of such a wonderful, versatile material. Clay is my prefered medium and when I stop using it I get withdrawal sypmtons. Well done etsy, can wait for part 2.
jodieflowers
Awesome pieces and great article!! Clay is my prefered medium too! My son and I love to play in the mud!!
HelMade
This is a great overview of such a wonderful, versatile material. Clay is my prefered medium and when I stop using it I get withdrawal sypmtons. Well done etsy, can't wait for part 2.
thestapeliacompany
Wow. I love these overviews. I didn't know anything about pottery before this.
marieaj45
TheGreenDragonGifts
CutieDynamite
elementclaystudio
lela88
im so glad to have seen this! ive been slacking off in my ceramics class lately since ive been real busy with a new puppy but reading all this and watching the video REALLY made me miss it! and i was going to take the summer off from my ceramics class since i figured id be busy but im definitely gonna sign up for it now, just looking at all this made me want to experiment and get some pots made! :)
matouenpeluche
Oh my! What a fantastic article! How beautiful are some of those ceramics!!! I want all of them!
fetishghost
BeadFloraJewels
bitfolky
pots, pots, i love pots.
holding them, making them, reading about them.
great article, jeff. LOVE your work.
wonderful response from beautiful etsians!
etsy, etsy, i love etsy.
nanouke
This was the best article ever!
I'm a clay geologist, and I always love to hear more about clay :D
Iammie
kwaraw
mostlyart
SleepingForest
This was a great article - super easy to read and informative, too. Thanks!
Ninainvorm
PotteryPlus1
dankjewelry
agru
SpiritedEarth
beautifulbridget
CampanaCeramics
Thanks to all for such a warm and supportive response! I am a very happy right now reading through these comments!
violetjulia
WinchellClayWorks
glyntpottery
Wonderful article! Thank you for featuring pottery and ceramics!
CollectionObsession
cindydolezal
Great article! Very informative for the general public and for the self-taught potter!
utilemud
Awesome! Thanks so much for all the time and effort put into this article.
vesselsandwares
Great read Jeff! Thanks for showing off some of the amazing ceramic artists on etsy. Always inspires me whenever I take some time to look through the ceramics & pottery category.
shevongantceramics
GuthDesigns
What an awesome article! I've been in the ceramic field for over 30 years and I can never learn too much. I can't wait for more. Thank you!
oldbagvintage
I took a few classes in college and the potter's wheel was never my friend. I'll always admire a ceramists work whenever I have a chance!
cinderelish
shoshonasnow
Pumpkinpye517
i love ceramics... and raku especially is my favorite. Great article.. and its inspiration for me to do with my own ceramic art. Thanks :)
wallywarepottery
This is an excellent overview of our medium. The claypeople of Etsy salute you, Bruddah!
ireneagh
fineartstoneware
elisaer03
please go to www.netsowntown.com to get the top world brand shoes,jeans,t-shirts,bikini,sunglasse,
the price range is $15-$40 free shipping!
ancientfragments
ApplewoodHandwovens
majoleeka
Fantastic information. I like the comparisons to the different clays and the aspect that clay artists choose thier direction from the end result as well as the boundries that can influences thier personal expression and direction.
carolbarclay
hi jeff, i came to your article by the back door, starting at fetishghost, through sofia's dad, and then to your eval of ^6 clay bodies.(i'm testing bodies as well- leaning toward standard 16) it was a mesmerizing journey, full of incredible imagination and generosity of spirit. potters are such nice people!
anyway, i noticed a spike in my visits around april 30th, but was flummoxed as to the source. i am grateful to be included in your well-written article. reading the comments, i can see that you have done much to share the intricacies of clay with those who haven't tried it. such a good thing...if you want more visuals or info about handbuilding porcelain, i am always willing to share.
please excuse this no caps typing. i had rotator cuff surgery and my right arm is in an immobilizer. it's a challenge to get anything done at all with just my non-dominant hand. i'm enjoying the time to read lots of pottery blogs, tho.
keep playing in the mud,
carol
rakubuttons
Sorry I missed this awesome article. At least I found it now. WONDERFUL!
LondonParticulars
Incredible! What is that cross section of the pot at the begining of the post...is it being built in pieces?
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