Ceramics requires time. Many steps need to occur between preparing and wedging your clay, to building, to the first firing, and to eventually glazing. However, the results are amazing!
You will spend weeks on one ceramic project and might not see it again for a month. That's because Ms. J needs time to dry out and fire your work. Remember, she has several groups of projects that need to be fired. Firing takes about 12 hours and requires about 2 days to cool down, plus time to load and unload the kiln. Be patient.
These questions may answer any pressing issues you are facing in 3-D Design:
Q: My piece disappeared! I can't find it! Where did it go? If you have placed your project on the greenware cart and you no longer see it, it's either in two locations: in a cabinet to dry out or loaded into one of the electric kilns to be fired. If it too wet, it will not be fired. If you did not place it on the greenware cart, then you left it somewhere in the studio. You will need to find it.
Q: When will my piece get fired? I've been waiting FOOOOREEEEEVERRRRR! When there is enough work to fill the kiln, it will be fired. A full kiln heats better and wastes less energy.
Q: I'm done with everything so I have nothing to do (except chat, text, other classes' homework, etc.) Why are you nagging to work on something? Completing one attempt at a project does not mean you're done; it means that it's time to try something again or something else so you can continue to get better. See Ms. J for ideas for side-projects; she will give you clay.
Q: I made this little "thing". Can you fire it? While I wish we had an endless supply of clay where we could make whatever we want, we simply do not have the budget. Ms. J will determine if it's worthy of being fired. Yes. However, consider if you REALLY want your little creation. Ms. J doesn't appreciate it when students change their mind after it's been fired/glazed because after firing, clay is permanent. This is why Ms. J has the ultimate say on what ends up being put in the kiln.
Q: What if I buy my own clay and make something? Will you fire it? In most cases, yes. However, it has to be the same clay we use in class (Orion Stout, purchased at Clay Planet).
Q: What glaze is this on my piece? This is why you should make a color plan so you can remember the colors you chose for glazing. Liquid glaze looks different after it has been fired.
Q: Why did the glaze turn out so hideous? Did you look at the Glaze sample tiles? Did you mix up the glaze before applying it? Was the paintbrush clean before and during glazing? Was each coat not too thin, splotchy, or uneven? A well-mixed glaze will have an even creamy consistency. Not spending a couple minutes to make sure your glazes are ready is a good way to ruin weeks of work.
Q: Can I eat off of what I make? Are the glazes food-safe? All glazes provided by Ms. J are FOOD-SAFE, unless NOTED OTHERWISE. However, I do not suggest eating/drinking from glazed work if there is any bare-bisque areas; liquid will be absorbed. It's a great place to grow bacteria. Ceramic work is NOT DISHWASHER or MICROWAVE-SAFE.