Pottery Terms 101: A Beginner's Glossary

New to the world of handmade ceramics? Welcome! It’s a beautiful space — but like any craft, it comes with its own language.

At Sajo Ceramics, we’re here to make pottery feel accessible, not overwhelming.

Here’s a simple glossary of terms you’ll often hear:

1. Clay

The earthy material used to create pottery. It’s soft and moldable when wet, hard and durable after firing.

2. Wheel-Thrown

Pottery shaped on a spinning potter’s wheel. Think of classic symmetrical forms like mugs and bowls.

3. Hand-Built

Pottery made without a wheel. Artists use techniques like coiling, pinching, or slab-building to shape the piece by hand.

4. Kiln

An oven (often reaching over 2,000°F) used to fire pottery and make it strong, durable, and water-tight.

5. Firing

The process of heating clay pieces in a kiln. Pottery is usually fired twice:

• Bisque firing: the first, low-temperature firing to harden the clay.
• Glaze firing: the second, higher-temperature firing after glazing.

6. Glaze

A glass-like coating applied to pottery before the final firing. It adds color, texture, and makes the piece food-safe and waterproof.

7. Greenware

Clay that has been shaped but not yet fired. It’s fragile and very delicate at this stage.

8. Bisque

Clay that has been fired once but not yet glazed. It’s porous and ready to accept glaze.

9. Slip

A liquid mixture of clay and water. Used for decorating, joining clay pieces, or casting in molds.

10. Wedging

The process of kneading clay to remove air bubbles and create an even texture before shaping.

11. Throwing

The act of shaping clay on a potter's wheel. (Yes, "throwing" — because the motion to center the clay looks like you're throwing it down!)

12. Centering

The first step in wheel-throwing: getting the clay perfectly balanced on the spinning wheel.

13. Reduction Firing

A firing atmosphere with limited oxygen, which creates unique glaze effects. Often used in gas kilns.

14. Stoneware

A durable, high-fired clay body — tough enough for everyday dishes and mugs.

15. Porcelain

A very fine, white clay body fired at high temperatures. Known for its smoothness and slight translucency.

Welcome to the World of Clay!

The more you learn, the deeper your appreciation grows. Every handmade piece you hold is the result of time, skill, and a little bit of magic.

Ready to have a go at creating handmade pottery for yourself? Browse our Melbourne Pottery Classes here.