Beginners Guide

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About Beginners Guide

Welcome to the Ceramic Materials Workshop Beginner’s Guide Series! Just finished your first pottery class and wondering what’s next? Or maybe you’re brand new to ceramics and eager to dive in? This series is the perfect place to start your ceramic journey. We’ll cover everything from the basics of clay and glaze to essential tools and techniques, giving you a solid foundation to build upon. No prior experience is necessary – just your enthusiasm and a willingness to learn!

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Unleash Your Inner Scientist: The Chemistry of Clay

Beginners Guide, Clay, Informative, Kilns

Ever wondered how that lump of clay transforms into a durable masterpiece? At Ceramic Materials Workshop, we're passionate about uncovering the science behind ceramics.
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Clay: It’s Not Just Mud! A Beginner’s Guide to This Material

Beginners Guide, Clay, Informative

Okay, you've signed up for that pottery class, or maybe you've just got a bag of clay staring at you from the corner of your craft room. Now what? Before you dive headfirst into making amazing pottery, let's get to know the star of the show: clay!
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A Beginner’s Glossary of Glaze Chemistry Terms

Beginners Guide, Clay, Glazes, Informative, Kilns

Glaze chemistry made easy! Download our beginner's glossary & flashcards to master the essential terms
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The Science Behind Glaze Application: Dipping, Brushing, Spraying

Beginners Guide, Glazes, How Tos, Informative

Ever stared at a freshly bisqued piece and dreamed of transforming it into a dazzling, glazed masterpiece? You're not alone!
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Not Just Hot Air: Understanding Thermocouples in Your Kiln

Beginners Guide, Informative, Kilns

Ever wondered how your kiln "knows" when to turn up the heat or cool things down? The answer lies in a tiny but mighty hero: the thermocouple!
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Ceramic Cone Chart:Deciphering Kiln Firing Rates for Best Results

Beginners Guide, Charts, How Tos, Kilns

Learn how to interpret ceramic cone charts and understand the impact of different firing rates on your pottery. Discover the ideal balance between efficiency and material integrity for successful kiln firings.
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Ceramic Cones: Understanding the Perfect Cone Bend

Beginners Guide, Charts, How Tos, Informative, Kilns

Learn more about ceramic cones and what the perfect cone bend should look like!
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How To Find Your Clay’s Absorption Rate

Beginners Guide, Clay, How Tos, Informative

Learn more about vitrification and clay absorption to empower you to make informed choices for your studio and how it can impact your pottery.
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Ceramic Materials Workshop’s Top 5 Ceramic Reference Books

Beginners Guide, Glazes, How Tos, Informative, Kilns

Ceramic Materials Workshop shares our Top 5 Ceramic Reference Books
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Ceramic Kiln Maintenance and Testing: Why Is It Important?

Beginners Guide, Clay, How Tos, Informative, Kilns, Myth Busters

Lets explore the importance of ceramic kiln testing and the steps involved in this crucial process no matter what type of kiln you own.
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Embracing Failure: The Path to Glaze Success

Beginners Guide, Glazes, How Tos, Informative

Learn why glaze failures can lead to success!
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Glaze Durability (Food Safety)

Beginners Guide, Clay, Glazes, Informative

I looked into the the question of why glazes are durable or not and found that we are able to correlate the overall durability of a glaze to its underlying chemistry.
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