Working with clay and clay-like materials

Introduction
One of the main problems with clay work is the drying out of the clay. Unfinished clay work can be kept fresh if it is well wrapped in plastic bags. (Clay objects that are not fired will dry out and gradually deteriorate, this process can be retarded by a coat of diluted PVA, which also makes a good base for painted decoration.) Clearly it is desirable to fire pupils’ work in clay; if there are no facilities on the premises, it might be possible to come to some arrangement with a local secondary school, FE college etc., where there is a kiln. It is not necessary to glaze pupils’ clay work if it is purely decorative. After one ‘biscuit’ firing it can be painted. However, if the work is functional, a mug for example, which pupils want to use, it will have to be glazed.

If you need further information, there are several excellent “How to do it” books on Ceramics. Check your local library or bookshop. We would recommend the following book; “Two-in-one Manuals, Ceramics” by Steve Mattison, published by Apple in 1998, ISBN 1-84092-179-X. It is well illustrated with clear, easy to understand instructions and a good range of simple starter projects to try out.