Pottery Glossary: Understanding the Craft

At Blue Nose Trading, I use professional ceramic techniques to ensure my handmade pottery is of the highest quality. Here is a guide to the terms and processes used in my Texas home studio.

Vitrification

Vitrification is the most important stage of the firing process. It occurs when the clay is heated to a temperature where it becomes glass-like, non-porous, and incredibly strong. Because my pottery is fired to high temperatures to become fully vitrified, it will not leak, is safe for food and liquid, and can withstand the dishwasher and microwave. Vitrification also ensures that planter and bonsai pots can with stand frost and freezing temperatures.

Frost-Resistance: The ability of a ceramic body to withstand freezing and thawing cycles without cracking. My high-fired stoneware is frost-resistant because its low porosity prevents water from soaking into the clay walls and expanding when frozen. Check out this video for how I test a clay for frost and freeze resistance. 

Porosity: The measure of "void spaces" in a material. Lower porosity is better for functional pottery. My vitrified stoneware has near-zero porosity, meaning it won't absorb liquids or odors.

High-Fire Stoneware

This refers to the type of clay and the temperature at which it is fired  in a kiln (typically "Cone 6" or higher, around 2,232°F). High-fire stoneware is much more durable than earthenware (terracotta) and is the reason my bonsai pots and planters are frost-safe and freeze-safe for outdoor use.

Cone 6: The specific pyrometric cone temperature (approx. 2,232°F) I fire to in my Texas studio. Firing to "Cone 6" ensures the stoneware reaches full maturity, making it incredibly strong and durable for daily use.

Thermal Shock: The stress that occurs when ceramic is subjected to sudden temperature changes. Because my stoneware is vitrified and high-fired, it has excellent resistance to thermal shock, but no ceramic is completely immune to extreme and sudden changes in temperature, so I always recommend pre-warming mugs before adding boiling water. Check out this video about how and why to preheat your ceramics.

Oxidation Firing: The process of firing an electric kiln with plenty of oxygen. This allows my unique, handmade glazes to develop bright, clean, and vibrant colors.

Hand-Thrown

Every piece made in my Blue Nose Trading studio is hand-thrown, meaning it was shaped by the my hands on a spinning potter's wheel. This traditional method requires years of skill and ensures that no two pieces are exactly alike, unlike mass-produced "slip-cast" ceramics made in molds. Check out this video on the start to finish process of making a mug.

Thrown on a Bat: A bat is a flat disc that attaches to the potter's wheel. I throw all of my work on bats to ensure they remain perfectly level and stable as they dry, preventing warping, and ensuring a level base. Check out this video to learn about the different kinds of bats.

Trimmed Foot: After a piece is thrown, the bottom is "trimmed" using sharp tools to create a foot ring. This provides a professional finish, reduces the weight of the piece, and ensures your mugs sit flat on table surfaces. Check out this video on how I trim pottery.

In-House Glaze

Many of my handmade glazes are mixed in my studio using raw minerals and oxides. This allows me to create unique colors, textures, and crystalline effects that are exclusive to Blue Nose Trading. Check out this short video of me mixing up a batch of glaze.

Lead-Free & Food-Safe

All of my glazes are formulated to be lead-free and food-safe. I prioritize the health of my customers by ensuring that our drinkware and kitchen items meet the highest safety standards for daily use.

Drainage Holes

Essential for plant health, drainage holes allow excess water to exit the pot, preventing root rot. I specifically create bonsai pots and planters with intentional drainage systems to support the longevity of your houseplants. Bonsai pots also come with additional "tie-down" holes that give you even more drainage, and the flexibility to secure your tree into the pot. Check out this full length video of me making a bonsai pot from start to finish.

Small-Batch Production

This means I produce a limited number of items at a time, I am only one person after all. This "slow-made" approach allows for extreme attention to detail and ensures that every mug and planter receives my full attention before it is fired, sanded, and shipped out to you. Check out this video for a tour of my home ceramic studio.