Ceramics made with our own hands is a wonderful thing. Unique patterns and forms are something that encourages us to take interest in the subject. By making ceramic ornaments with our own hands, we are able to decorate our home exactly as we imagine it. By reading this article, you will get information about firing pottery at home.
Ceramics need to be fired at a temperature of about 1000 degrees Celsius. Only a kiln designed specifically for this purpose will be able to provide this temperature. It is not true that clay can be baked in a traditional oven. The temperature in it is definitely too low. It may be sufficient for firing very small pieces, but the effect may not be satisfactory.
Another method of firing clay at home is to fire it in a campfire. This is not easy to do since it is difficult to get the right temperature in the fire. The best way would be to get a proper kiln for clay firing. This will save you a lot of time and stress and the results will be much better.
To create in clay you need the right tools. These are knives, chisels and a potter’s wheel. The latter is not essential, but it’s worth thinking about if you want to make good quality things. You can get these tools in special stationary stores or online.
If you already have a kiln and the necessary tools, you can start working. In the first step, separate the right amount of clay. A knife will help you with this, with which you will finally give shape to the object. It is worth remembering that the ornaments used should be of an appropriate thickness. Thin ones will not survive the firing process. Pierce air bubbles on the surface of the clay with a needle. Leave the prepared material for several days to dry. Now you can put the object into the kiln.
Made ornament after first firing should look very nice. You can leave it in such a form but the last stage of creating ceramics is glazing, i.e. application of glass mass. This is the process of covering the fired clay with a layer of glaze that will make the item more comfortable to use. After it is applied to the clay, it should be fired again at 1000 degrees Celsius.
Making pottery is a good idea to spend your free time doing. You can involve friends, your partner and your children. There are also special courses and workshops where you can make ceramics. This way you don’t have to invest in special tools and an expensive kiln. Maybe pottery will become your new hobby? It is worth trying!
main photo: unsplash.com/Ryan Christodoulou
