Ceramics and Clay Artist Directory
Ceramics artist if you live in the North Carolina mountains, Georgia mountains or eastern Tennessee mountains and want to advertise on this web site you can Have your own page with link to your existing web site free of charge until January 2007 ! Contact info@Blueridgemountainarts.com for more information.
The term ceramics comes from the Greek and was used to describe many types of clay and other substances used to make pottery. Today, it is used to describe not only the many non-metal substances used, but also the art of sculpting and forming objects from clay and other inorganic materials. This definition includes taking moist clay forms and strengthening them by drying through the use of heat, which is known as firing.
Firing gives ceramics a hard finish. After they cool, the ceramic pieces may be glazed and decorated. At one time, pottery or ceramics were baked in the sun or heated by fire, but today a special "oven" called a kiln is used to fire the pieces. A kiln can reach very high temperatures, to harden the clay quickly.
There are many and varied types of ceramics, from molded to hand sculpted pieces. Depending on the materials used, the temperature when fired, and whether they are glazed and how they are glazed, these pieces may also be called terracotta, stoneware, earthenware, or porcelain.
Ceramics may be functional pieces such as tiles, plates, bowls, cups, flowerpots, planters,and vases, but they may also be purely decorative. Even though a piece is technically functional, it may be chosen for its artistry. Ceramics are often used for interior as well as exterior decor, and are available in a variety of styles from very rustic to contemporary. From the primitive urn to the clean lined piece with a modern flair, there is something for every taste.
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