Clay & glaze
What your fingers already know
Bodies feel sandy or smooth; glazes read glossy or satin in the hand. We describe what makers notice at the bench — not lab certificates.
Clay bodies
StonewareSturdy, forgiving for functional cups and plates; often toasty gray in the raw state.
PorcelainFine and pale; rewards careful handling, shows every fingerprint until trimmed.
EarthenwareWarm red or tan tones; typically fired to a lower heat, often seen in decorative work.
ReclaimScrap wedged back together — slightly irregular, excellent for practice and tiles.
Glaze personality
Transparent glazes show clay color underneath. Opaque coats hide slips and carving. Cobalt-tinted blues pool in crevices; iron-bearing glazes break brown on edges.
We encourage test tiles before committing a favorite bowl — flashing, pinholes, and crawling are vocabulary words, not failures to hide.
