Potter and the rotating potter's wheel in Pottery studio

It's not magic, it's technology.

The pottery manufacturing process typically involves several key steps.

Clay Preparation: Clay is a natural material composed of fine particles that can be molded when wet and hardened when fired. The potter begins by selecting and preparing the clay. This may involve kneading, wedging, or adding other ingredients to achieve the desired consistency or texture.

Shaping: Once the clay is prepared, it is shaped into various forms using techniques such as hand-building (coil, slab, pinch methods) or wheel-throwing. Potters use their hands, tools, and sometimes molds to create the desired shapes.

Drying: After shaping, clay objects must be allowed to dry gradually to remove excess moisture. This process prevents cracking during firing. Depending on the size and thickness of the piece, drying can take anywhere from a few hours to several days.

Bisque Firing: Once the pottery is completely dry, it undergoes its first firing, known as bisque firing. This is done at low temperatures (approximately 1,800-2,100°F). This firing removes any remaining moisture from the clay, making the pottery hard and porous.

Glazing: Although some pottery remains unglazed, many pieces are glazed to add color, texture, and a protective finish. Glaze is a liquid coating applied to the bisque-fired pottery. After glazing, the pottery is fired again at high temperatures (approximately 2,100-2,400°F) to melt and fuse the glaze to the clay surface.

Final Firing: A second firing, known as glaze firing, completes the pottery manufacturing process and results in a finished product that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.