Stages of Clay

Watered down clay that is often used as a glue for clay medium.

• Coil

• Bisqueware

• Leatherhard

• Slip

Clay you can easily mold, at the most flexible stage.

• Plastic

• Bisqueware

• Leatherhard

• Glazeware

Clay that has hardened, but still contains enough water that it can still be carved.

• Plastic

• Bone Dry

• Leatherhard

• Glazeware

Also called Greenware, this stage indicates that clay is ready to be fired. It’s at the most fragile stage.

• Plastic

• Bone Dry

• Leatherhard

• Slip

Clay that has been fired once in the kiln. It is still porous and can absorb water.

• Greenware

• Bone Dry

• Glazeware

• Bisqueware

Clay that has undergone a second firing with a coating called glaze, which typically (depending on the glaze) makes the glaze watertight.

• Leatherhard

• Bone Dry

• Glazeware

• Bisqueware