Glossary of Terms - C

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  • Calipers

    Calipers

    Tool for measuring interior or exterior width, often used for making lids.



  • Centering - Coning up

    Centering - Coning up

    When wheel throwing, one of two motions to bring the clay to center before throwing the pot.



  • Checking Depth

    Checking Depth

    When wheel throwing, using a needle tool to find out how thick the clay is at the foot of the pot.



  • Cobalt Carbonate and Cobalt Oxide

    Cobalt Carbonate and Cobalt Oxide

    Coloring oxide used for blues and blacks.



  • Collaring

    Collaring

    When wheel throwing, bringing the clay in to make the pot narrower.



  • Colorant

    Colorant

    Any element used to add color to glazes or clays.



  • Compressing the foot

    Compressing the foot

    When wheel throwing, pressing down on the base of the pot to make the clay tighter and firmer, and less likely to crack.



  • Compressing the rim

    Compressing the rim

    When wheel throwing, finishing the rim with a rib, chamois, or fingers.



  • Cone Charts

    Cone Charts

    ceramic materials which measure heat work in the kiln.



  • Copper Carbonate and Copper Oxide

    Copper Carbonate and Copper Oxide

    Coloring oxides used for greens and metallic colors. IN reduction, can give red colors.



  • Craze, Crackle, Crawl

    Craze, Crackle, Crawl

    Glaze surfaces may have surface variations which might be seen as a flaw or, if intentional, might be an aesthetic choice. Crawling is when the glaze pulls away from the clay, and beads on the surface, either due to the bisque not being sufficiently cleaned before glazing, or a defect of the glaze composition. Crackle is the intentional development of a network of fine cracks in the glaze, often seen in Raku ware. Crazing is the unintentional forming of cracks in glaze surface, sometimes due to rapid cooling of glazed ware, or a poor fit between clay and glaze. All of these glaze surfaces, whether intentional or not, are not considered food-safe.



  • Cutting Off

    Cutting Off

    When wheel throwing, removing the finished pot using a wire.