Ancient Egyptian Pottery and History

The Egyptians created pottery beginning from primordial times. Even before the construction of pyramids, they were engaged in the making of pottery. The study of pottery sheds tremendous light on the pre dynastic era of ancient Egypt. Ancient Egyptians used pottery in the same manner we use plastic containers today. The studies of pottery material, expertise, and types have been a great supply of information for archaeologists to date sites in the absence of other sources of data. Early Egyptologists like Flinders Petrie used pot shards to discover chronological dates for pre dynastic eras. Pottery is also used to assist the study of trade and regional development in old Egypt.

Egypt in the pre dynastic period produced pottery of very high quality. During the Badarian period the potter's wheel was not used and typically ladies prepared it. The upper segment was adorned in a radiant black color and the lower segment in deep red. The pottery was made by firing in open bone fires or archaic furnaces. From 40000 to 3000 BC. i.e. until the Dynastic era from the Naqada era, pottery was decorated with depictions of animals, humans, boats and various other patterns and symbols. It was during this period, that perhaps some of the greatest pottery was developed.

The potter's wheel was not invented in Egypt until the Old Kingdom. It was only during this era that the potter's wheel made its first appearance and started to be used for commercial purposes. The wheel was very simple, like a turn table in the beginning, but latter it advanced into a true potter's wheel. The wheel was at first turned by hand, and later the kick wheel variety developed during the Ptolemaic epoch. At this time, there was an increase in the quantity of pottery produced. However the introduction of the potter's wheel did not wipe out absolutely all the traditional forms of making pottery. For example, bread moulds were still often handmade

Egyptian pottery can be classified into two broad divisions depending upon the type of clay used in the manufacturing. It is an international classification system known as The Vienna System.

1. Pottery manufactured from Nile clay. It is also known as Nile silt ware. When it is fired it gets covered up with a red-brown color. Sometimes the pottery was decorated or painted in blue. It was mostly used for common everyday purposes. It was not used for decoration although during the New Kingdom, blue painted pottery appeared.

2. Pottery made from marl clay. It was made from material found in the region of Quena in Upper Egypt. This pottery was superior to the Nile silt ware. It was sometimes polished leaving a lustrous surface. It was used for decorative purposes as well as for other functions. However, the actual glazed pottery appeared only during roman times.

One can further make a classification of Egyptian pottery with the examination of additives in the basic fabric of the pottery, as well as an analysis of the natural impurities present in the clay.

The History of Korean Pottery

The Koreans have used potteries from 7000 to 8000 years ago. Since ancient times they used to make pottery by firing clay at a heat of 1300 degree Celsius. They produced unique, original and beautiful pottery. They traded extensively with China and adopted manufacturing skills of Celadon.

Korean pottery is healthy and alive due to its good natural disposition. The Korean potters believed in nature and sought to be a part of it. So they lived in deep recesses of mountains to give a natural touch to their wares and used simple colors with liberal techniques for molding the clay prior to making the pottery.

Korean pottery can be studied in terms of three empires. These three empires which present the foundation of Korean ceramic history also reflect the culture of pottery during this era. These three kingdoms are - Silla, Goguryeo and Joseon. The Korean potters produced coarse household goods as well as highly sophisticated statues of imperial figures, guardians, horses, escorts of the dead in mausoleum of kings, as well as nobility.

1. Korean pottery in the Silla era (668 to 935) - the pottery was plain in color, design and silhouette at the time of the unified Silla era. Celadon was the main produce. Gradually in the 14th century Bakeja porcelain wares developed which had vibrant varnish. These were made up of highly refined clay. Bakeja wares were fixed with feldspar and were very cautiously fired in very huge and fresh kilns. Bakeja wares flourished tremendously until the Joseon dynasty came to power.

2. Korean pottery in the Goguryeo era (918 to 1392) - during this epoch some of the best small scale works of ceramics were accomplished in Korea. In this age the potters made foliate designs, key fret, geometric shapes, elliptical panels, stylized fishes and insects, and they started using incised designs from this era. The glazes used, were different shades of Celadon. For stoneware and storage goods they used black and brown glazes.

3. Korean pottery in Joseon dynasty (1392 to 1910) - it can be called the golden era of Korean pottery. The Korean ceramics developed to a great extent and pottery was produced in a large commercial scale for export. The quality of the pottery also improved considerably. They followed the Chinese Ming Dynasty in evolving their improved range of pottery and they are similar in certain aspects to the Chinese wares. Storage pottery, celadon, white porcelain were alike and only with minimal variations either in glazes, designs or weight. Ming influence was also felt in the blue and white matter by using cobalt blue glazes.

After the fall of the Ming dynasty many Chinese potters migrated to Korea and brought colorful and vibrant pottery of special forms which was discarded by the Korean potters who preferred to make simple and less bedecked wares.

Korea exported most of its potteries to Japan and principally from the Busan area. The climbing kilns were exported to a considerable extent.

There were two ways of export- through deal and intended immigration of potters or by the means of invasion and pottery theft.

Poole Pottery - A Potted History

The history of the Poole Pottery can be traced back to 1873, when Jesse Carter purchased the East Quay Pottery in Poole from James Walker, after that gentleman's pottery business went bankrupt. Jesse Carter's background was as a successful builders merchant in Surrey, but he believed that the architectural ceramics business offered a profitable future and determined to put all his efforts into this. Moving to the area with his family, two of whom were to play a major role in the future of the pottery, he began to work. By the 1880s, Carter & Company had become very well established locally, overshadowing some longer established local companies and beginning to encroach on the territory of some of the well known Staffordshire potteries.

At this time, the output of the Poole Pottery was revolved around decorative tiling and other architectural pottery, such as fire surrounds. Carter & Co's wide range of decorative tiles were being widely used in shops, pubs and hotels, as well as for advertising and mosaic flooring.

Growth of Decorative Output

Following Carter's death in 1901, control of the pottery fell to his two sons, Charles and Owen. Over the next twenty years, the output of the company changed to include a growing variety of decorative wares, and the end result of this was the formation of Carter, Stabler & Adams in 1921 as a subsidiary of Carter & Company.

Harold and Phoebe Stabler and John and Truda Adams brought between them a wealth of creative experience in design, modelling and decoration and the mission of the CSA company was to produce decorative and table wares from the East Quay works in Poole.

Over the next forty years, the Carter, Stabler & Adams company proved very successful, producing a very wide variety of decorative and domestic wares. One of the most easily recognisable and successful CSA styles is that of the red earthenware body with a white slip ground and a clear glaze.

From Red Earthenware to Freeform

This style was used until the mid-thirties, when C.S.A. moved to using white clay bodies, probably because they were more suitable for tableware than the red earthenware bodies were. The decorative pieces were all hand painted with patterns that were largely the work of Truda Adams. These colourful and stylish patterns played a key part in the success of CSA and have endured superbly, still looking fresh and attractive today. CSA's output during the 20s and 30s also included a range of skilfully modelled pieces, often by Harold Stabler or John Adams. Today these models have become highly collectable and hard to find in perfect condition.

As the nation recovered from WWII, and pottery production began again, the ranges of white earthenware that had been so successful in the past were now seen to be almost unmanageably complex. These were now rationalised, to become known as Traditional ware, with three levels of decoration - elaborate, medium and simple.

Just as in their time, the Truda Adams designs had captured the Art Deco style of the 1920s and 30s, something new was needed to reflect the new styles of the 1950s. Several new ranges were introduced, but by far the most striking and successful were the Free Form range of patterns and shapes. Poole Pottery freeform was distinguished by a very modern new range of shapes, mixing angles and curves to create completely new shapes, as well as variations on more traditional shapes.

A New Generation of Talent

Alfred Read and Guy Sydenham were the driving force behind this range of shapes, and many of the early freeform patterns were also Alfred Read designs, with both Read and Sydenham being responsible for throwing the new shapes. Especially notable were the decorating talents of Ruth Pavely and Ann Read. Ruth Pavely was Head of Painting at the Poole Pottery for many years, and her mark can be seen on some of the finest Poole Pottery pieces of the 1950s, as can Ann Read's.

Freeform proved to be just what the doctor ordered for the Poole Pottery, and was very successful throughout the 1950s. Today, fans of 1950s design are keen to collect Poole Freeform shapes and the better examples of these pieces command strong values.

The Launch of Delphis & Aegean Ware - Studio Pottery From A Factory?

In the early 1960s a new range of studio ware was released - the Delphis range. This featured bold, colourful designs on new shapes created by Poole's new star designers, Robert Jefferson and Tony Morris. The Delphis range proved popular and once more in keeping with the spirit of the times and remained in production, with many variations, until the mid-1970s.

Delphis ware was followed by Aegean ware. Designed by Leslie Elsden, it provided a fitting culmination to his 50 year career at Poole Pottery. Much of the Aegean range was decorated using either the silhouette or sgraffito techniques, and the extensive use of browns, oranges and yellows gave the Aegean pieces a very distinctive character. While some shapes were shared with the Delphis and other ranges, both Delphis and Aegean ware have very distinctive and easily recognisable characters.

The Future For Poole Pottery

Poole Pottery sadly went bankrupt for a second and final time in December 2006, and although its remains have found a buyer, it looks like pottery production in Poole has probably come to an end. Fortunately, today's collectors are lucky enough to have a huge legacy of pottery to draw upon, which will hopefully be preserved for future generations.

Origins of Salt Glaze Pottery

Salt glazing as an art has been around for centuries. This art originated in the fourteenth or early fifteenth century Germany. Later, its popularity also spread to the United States and most other parts of the world. Stone and clay pottery was already being used extensively in these places, as a piece of art or for a variety of storage purposes, and the finishing provided by the salt glaze method only added to its popularity.


The process of salt glazing pottery is itself quite intriguing. Pots are manufactured and dried in the usual process. Then begins the interesting step where they are placed in large kilns and the firing process is begun. The temperature increases gradually as the fire intensifies over a period of fifteen to twenty hours and the kiln becomes blazing hot. Now, rock salt is thrown into the kiln through little openings provided for that purpose. Due to its chemical composition, the salt explodes when it meets the fire and then gets converted into vapour. The effect of this vapour on the clay is what gives the glazed effect.


Not only that, the firing and final glaze achieved by each pot is based on several factors like its position in the kiln and the amount of vapour it receives, to name just a few. Hence there are subtle differences in each pot as compared to the other, with the one receiving more vapour and having a more glazed effect than the other, even if they belong to the same dinner set. The ones that have a lesser glaze also have their own character, hence they are also appealing too.


Basically, the side of the pot facing the fire receives more vapour as that is where the vapour hits first. So this side tends to have a greater glazed effect as compared to the opposite side. This ensures a unique look to almost every part of a large set.


Though salt glaze pottery was primarily used for dinnerware or kitchen utensils, they were later manufactured also for purely decorative purposes, especially in nineteenth century England. The more popular ones had designs such as village scenes, windmills, local animals and so on, which became very popular as souvenirs that are brought home by tourists from those places. These were usually painted white and the figures in blue.


Today handmade salt glaze clayware is not so common due to substitutes that have a shorter and simpler manufacturing cycle, but at the industrial level, salt fired pottery is still manufactured. Where the pottery is not only for functional purposes, but has more of an artistic value, salt glaze pottery is experimented with on a regular basis. This is why it is quite popular among studio potters, who are more artists than potters. They have the luxury of experimenting with the effect of the method on varying shades at varying temperatures and atmospheric conditions and the results are seldom disappointing.


In the present times, salt glazed pottery is still very popular as an art form.

Pottery Barn Slip Covers - What You Should Know

Pottery Barn slip covers are an ideal way to turn that favorite old recliner or couch into a like new piece of furniture. So, what does Pottery Barn have to offer and how can they help transform your home furnishings?


Pottery Barn has been around for nearly 60 years now and has been a leader in the home furnishings industry. What began in 1949 as an idea to make any home more comfortable on the inside has turned into a massive success.


The company offers their customers a full line of slip covers for sofas, chairs, sectionals, dining room chairs and more. They also sell other quality furniture and accessories.


Pottery Barn sofa slip covers is one of the company's most popular items. By browsing through their online catalog you can find a wide range of styles, colors and materials to suit any home decor.


Recently, we found ourselves needing a new sofa slip cover for our old sofa in the family room. I hopped online and found the Pottery Barn website and catalog. Within 15 minutes I found the perfect slip cover that matched up with my interior decor, placed the order online and was finished. The ease in ordering online is hard to beat.


Of course, the Pottery Barn also has a mail order catalog and various stores throughout the country that you can shop from.


So, if you need a slip cover for that old sofa or any other piece of furniture, try a Pottery Barn slip cover. I think you will be pleasantly surprised with the results.

Ancient Roman Pottery

In the second millennium BC, the Romans emerged from a small settlement near Rome to begin a course of expansion that was to make them the dominant power in the Mediterranean. By the 1st Century AD, Roman territories expanded from Britain in the north to Egypt in the south. Much of the Roman culture and crafts reflected the preceding Hellenistic period; however, their extensive trade network provided them with a great variety of materials. Artisans often combined styles and materials creating their own unique designs.

Terracotta (baked clay) pottery was made and used throughout the middle east and was produced in the earliest settlements along the Fertile Crescent where the clay was abundant and varied in color. The early potters had ample resources with which to experiment, create and develop their styles. The pottery was made as a fairly course, porous clay that when fired, assumes a color ranging from dull ochre to red and was usually left unglazed.

Most terracotta pottery has been utilitarian because of its cheapness, versatility and durability. As technique and firing methods improved, a great variety of shapes evolved. The most widely utilized pottery in the Ancient World was oil lamp, bottles, unguentariums, pitchers, bowls and plates, their basic shapes remaining unchanged for over a thousand years and still being used in today's modern world. The oil lamp was the source of light in every household, the bottles and pitchers were used to store wine, water and other liquids, the unguentarium held oils, spices, unguents and balm and the bowls and plates were used to eat from and hold food stuffs. The amphora, classic in shape, was used for storage and shipping in the ancient world and was meant for household use and to hold wine, oil, spice or unguents.

The Bronze Age was an important element in time even thought not any particular period of time. Some areas had their Bronze Age early, others had it late. The primary function of any metal industry in antiquity was the production of weapons and tools. A spear point was ranked as the chief weapon used in the battle of ancient Asia and Europe. The famous Greek poet, Homer, tells how Achilles speared Hector with a bronze pole. Ancient Roman spear points have played an important part in history.

Early men tied jagged pieces of stone onto their throwing sticks until they learned to shape pointed spearheads from pieces of flint. In the 2nd millennium BC, the Romans emerged from a small settlement near Rome. By the 1st Century AD, Roman territories expanded from Britain in the north to Egypt in the south. The Roman army was originally made up of citizens. By Caesar's time, in the 40's BC, most soldiers were professionals in a standing army, forming a civilizing force as well as a conquering one.

Ceramic pottery Treat Jar - Red easy to use and clean

A sophisticated dog Treat Jar - Red with amazing style, the pet Dog Treat Jar is a new katiewongnyc.com favorite. The Katiewong Treat Jar is dishwasher-safe and easy to clean. The Ceramic treat jar has two colors have red and blue.
Ceramic jar- Red cute designer ceramic cat dish is blue in color with cut outs of fish along the side of the dish. This ceramic pottery Treat Jar - Red easy to clean bowl is dishwasher safe and measures 5" in diameter. A stunning dog treat jar at an amazing price.

This plastic jar ceramic antique delightful Ceramic Treat Jar-Red is the perfect design for your pets. White ceramic bone-shaped ceramic treat jar, embellished with silver bone charm. When it comes to treats, it's all about Bones! These ceramic supplies Treat Jar - Red has bright and funky bone shaped ceramic treat jars are covered in Paw Prints with a "Treats" metal tag.

Designer pottery bowls, our Southwestern Dog Bowls are handcrafted using traditional Mexican methods. The plastic jar ceramic treat jar Carved and colorful drawings of various dog breeds decorate each bowl.

Polish pottery

The picturesque country of Poland is located at the intersection point between the eastern and western sections of the European continent. It was in 2004 that Poland became a member of the European Union. If one studies the culture of the country, it will be seen that as a result of its strategic location and unique history, Poland has been considerably influenced by the cultural nuances of both eastern and western Europe considerably which is reflected in its lifestyle and folklore and also the indigenous artworks. In the different fields of cultural activities, Poland has proved itself time and again in the world arena be it architecture, fine art or literature and even celluloid. Pottery is one of the best known and popular of the various artworks and it is a tradition that has survived the passage of time and today is world famous for its intricate designing forms and quality. It is interesting to note that the origin of stoneware or pottery in Poland has a long and enriched history associated with its growth. It was during the closing years of the 18 th century and the beginning of the 19th century that the earliest specimens of polish pottery may be dated to. In the province of Bunzlau, which was them a part of the German region of Silesia, presently a part of the polish territory, the earliest samples of polish pottery were found and were referred to as Bunzlauer stoneware.
One of the most popular designs of traditional polish pottery known as the ‘eyespot' design characterized and influenced by peacock feathers originated in this region and was extensively developed by the artists of the time. However, during the period of the Second World War, all these extraordinary works of art were destroyed. But, after the war had subsided, Poland once again continued its tradition of constructing pottery and artwork and factories were also set up for this purpose. Currently, Poland is one of the foremost pottery producers of Europe and the tradition has been kept alive especially in a small village within the polish country known as Boleslawiec. In this region, skilled artisans, inspired by times and trends of ancient and medieval central European folk art, continue to derive pleasure out of forming unique pottery designs. It is interesting to note while the designs remain mostly inspired by traditional art forms, there is no restriction in terms of shape. Polish pottery is available in exquisite designs in multifarious shapes. Polish pottery is displayed in all the major antique shops and museums in Europe .

Making Your Gardening Antique With Pottery

It's unfortunate that people who are just starting to collect pottery overlook some of the best, most unique pottery ever made--antique pottery. Whatever your price range, you can find plenty of options of types of pottery from different designers around the world.

You may think buying anything with the word "antique" in it would be out of the price range of a beginning collector. Although for some pieces this might be true, it is certainly not always the case. There are a variety of colors, styles, characteristics, and cultural traditions to chose from for any collector.

When looking for antique pottery, a collector is sure to find examples of talent from all around the world. Native American pottery is the most well known as being very unique and in high demand, but Greek, Italian, and Polish Pottery are sought after as well. Collectors often are much more specific than choosing between Green or Italian Pottery, for example.

Some look for pottery from a specific region in one of the countries, or even pottery from one specific family or manufacturer. This can be interesting for your collection, but make sure not to overlook other pieces from that time period that may be great pieces of art and history.

It is not easy to collect antique pottery. It is difficult enough to find high quality pieces at a good price, but it is just as necessary to find pieces that fit within the important stylistic characteristics of the time period in which they were made. A collector must overcome the challenges of where to locate the pottery, how to know if it's authentic, and how to purchase it safely. The collection process is part of the joy of owning the pottery however, and the challenges make the most unique pieces that you can acquire well worth the time, effort, and money. It also makes each container unique in your garden!

Giving Children the Gift of Creating Pottery

In the world in which we live, children are faced with many temptations, good and bad. It is in our best interests as parents to tip the scales in favor of the good temptations our children will face whenever possible by giving them plenty of skills, talents, and creative outlets upon which to exert their energy and focus. Sports are great but most sports are limited to seasons. This leaves parents looking for things to keep their children's active minds involved and occupied during the off seasons for their favorite sports.

Pottery lessons are a great way to give kids a creative focus while helping them develop quiet activities they can enjoy. This also keeps them too busy to spend a lot of time on activities that are detrimental and hopefully will fill the time that may otherwise be spent falling into the wrong crowd. More importantly, there are very few gifts you can give your children that are better than the gift of being able to create something beautiful, practical, useful, or simply unique and different from a lump of clay. Pottery is doing just that.

First lessons for children should be simple and not too aggressive. Let your child set his or her own pace for pottery lessons and don't push him or her to go too far too fast. Like most things in life, your child will need to learn to crawl before he or she walks in the field of pottery. This often means learning the intricacies of hand building with clay before moving on to the potter's wheel though your child may choose to move on to the wheel and show no interest in hand building at all. The most important thing is that you keep your child interested or the lessons will be a waste of time and money resulting in the opposite effect of what you are hoping to achieve.

Most communities offer some sort of art classes that include pottery sessions for children. Larger communities will have classes for children that specifically deal with pottery. If you are fortunate enough to live in one of these communities it is a great field to introduce your little ones too as you never know when true talent may show itself. If your child does display a good deal of talent or an avid interest in pursuing pottery further there are generally classes that can be taken for those who have had the basics and are ready to move on to some of the more advanced skills.

Pottery points to 'mother culture'

More than 3,000 years ago, a coastal town served as the center of a "mother culture" that shaped societies in a wide swath of what's now southern and central Mexico. Jeffrey P. Blomster of George Washington University in Washington, D.C., and his colleagues arrived at this conclusion following an extensive investigation into the region's pottery trade.

Blomster's team determined the chemical composition of 725 ceramic pieces and 828 clay samples, from the town of San Lorenzo and six other ancient population centers. The pieces were between 2,850 and 3,450 years old. Using the data from their analyses, the researchers traced the movement of pottery goods and found that communities everywhere imported pottery that originated in San Lorenzo--defined by the cultural style called Olmec--but that San Lorenzo didn't import any ceramic goods in return. Potters at some sites outside San Lorenzo also created imitations of Olmec jars from local clays, the researchers report in the Feb. 18 Science.

The new results challenge the view that Olmec-era societies in Mexico traded goods back and forth as "sister cultures," contributing about equally to the spread of pottery-making techniques and symbolic designs.--B.B.

Pottery Barn Outdoor Spaces

POTTERY BARN OUTDOOR SPACES: EASY IDEAS AND INSPIRATION FOR CASUAL OUTDOOR LIVING isn't just for rural or suburban homeowners--if you're an urban dweller with only a balcony, you can still find a lot to learn from an entertainment book dedicated to creating lovely outdoor environments and outdoor rooms. Exterior spaces are rarely given their own complete book: this provides easy techniques for converting or decorating porches, garden areas, and more. From simple balcony decors to creating outdoor kitchens, spa areas and patios, OUTDOOR SPACES is packed with colorful photo examples and plenty of ideas.

Functional Pottery Makes a Great Gift, Plain and Simple

Are you looking for something unique to give a friend or family member for an upcoming birthday or holiday? If you really want to wow that special someone, why not consider purchasing an original one of a kind pottery gift that makes life better in some way.

Pottery gifts come in all shapes, sizes, and colors and they can be practical or extravagant. If your recipient loves to take afternoon tea, why not surprise him or her with a gorgeous tea set, complete with teacups, saucers, and teapot? You might even want to add a serving tray for that extra special touch. Perhaps you know someone who adores fresh flowers. A delicate vase to showcase a vibrant bouquet would likely be appreciated.

If you long to combine functionality with beauty in your everyday life, you will likely find pottery to be outstanding in every way. From the depth of color to the texture to the overall design, each piece stands apart from the next. Keep in mind that you do not have to buy matching sets of cups, plates, and bowls. In fact, it can be equally attractive to mix and match plates of one design and color with bowls from an entirely different set.

Handcrafted pottery takes time to create, as each piece must be molded from clay, glazed, and fired. If you appreciate fine art and won't accept less than the best, you will be pleased with the extensive inventory of handmade pottery that can be purchased from the internet. From birdbaths to vases to tableware, we are certain here at Northern Inventions that you will find the pieces that will bring joy and function to your life.

Handcrafted pottery is unique in that each piece has some variation, as it is nearly impossible to create two identical pieces of pottery. It takes great pains to design pieces that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing to the eye. The process from start to finish takes no less than 20 to 30 steps, so you can be sure that you are only getting the highest quality handcrafted pottery.

One of the perks to purchasing handcrafted pottery is that every piece should be dishwasher and microwave oven safe. Furthermore, you should also be able to use pottery in a conventional oven with no worries, as all of the glazes used should be 100 percent lead free, whether you are looking for dinnerware, oversized coffee mugs, or a beautiful vase.

I believe functional pottery serves a purpose, even if that purpose is to add to the aesthetics of your home, along with being quite beautiful. It should also serve practical functions such as serving tea or holding a colorful bouquet of fragrant roses or to provide a haven for birds to gather and bathe in the outdoors. Every piece of pottery that you will find on any site should be functional, as well as pretty and stimulating to your senses. After all, pottery that makes you feel good by putting a smile on your face every time you look at it serves the most important purpose--making you happy.

Whether you are looking for a specific piece of pottery to fulfill a need, such as a colorful vase to display your floral arrangements, or you just want to fill your home with beauty, all functional handmade pottery should be expertly handcrafted from the capable and artistic hands of an artist that is experienced in what they are doing.

All of our stoneware pottery that you see on our site is durable and safe to use in the dishwasher, microwave, and conventional oven. This may come as a surprise to many people because our unique handcrafted pottery from Sofi's Sunspot Studio is so beautiful that you may be afraid to put it to good use. At Northern Inventions, we only sell products that are functional, and we encourage you to use your stoneware pottery in your everyday life.

Ancient Greek Pottery

The pottery of ancient Greece is one of the most tangible and iconic elements of ancient Greek art. The colorful vases and pots of the ancient Greeks have survived in large numbers and are today highly prized as collectors items.

Ancient Greeks made pottery for everyday use, not for display, the trophies won at games such as the Panathenaic amphorae (used for storage), are the exception. Most surviving pottery consists of drinking vessels such as amphorae, kraters (bowls for mixing wine and water), hydria (water jars), libation bowls, jugs and cups. Painted funeral urns have also been found. Miniatures were also produced in large numbers, mainly for use as offerings at temples. In the Hellenistic period a wider range of pottery was produced, but most of it is of little artistic importance.

In earlier periods event quite small Greek city-states produced pottery for their own locale. These varied widely in style and standards. Distinctive pottery that ranks as art was produced on some of the Aegean islands, in Crete, and in the wealthy Greek colonies of southern Italy and Sicily. By the later Archaic and early Classical period, however, the two great commercial powers, Corinth and Athens, came to dominate. Their pottery was exported all over the Greek world, driving out the local varieties. Pots from Corinth and Athens are found as far a field as Spain and Ukraine, and are so common in Italy that they were first collected in the 18th century as "Etruscan vases". Many of these pots are mass produced products of low quality. In fact, by the 5th century BC, pottery had become an industry and pottery painting ceased to be an important art form of ancient Greece.

The history of ancient Greek pottery is divided stylistically into periods: The Protogeometric from about 1050 BC. The Geometric from about 900 BC. The Archaic from about 750 BC. The Black figure from the early 7th century BC. The Red figure from about 530 BC.

The range of colors which could be used on pots was restricted by the technology of firing: black, white, red and yellow were the most common. In the three earlier periods, the pots were left their natural light color, and were decorated with slip that turned black in the kiln.

The fully mature black-figure technique, with added red and white details and incising for outlines and details, originated in Corinth during the early 7th century BC and was introduced into Attica about a generation later; it flourished until the end of the 6th century BC. The red-figure technique, invented in about 530 BC, reversed this tradition, with the pots being painted black and the figures painted in red. Red-figure vases slowly replaced the black-figure style. Sometimes larger vessels were engraved as well as painted.

Pottery Adds Decorative Flair

This is often overlooked for its decorative appeal with the message often getting lost within its incredible versatility and usefulness. The truth is however, that when it comes to decorating and lending style, pottery is a great way to go when decorating in almost any theme or style of décor. I have found very few rooms in my time in which some style of pottery would not suit the overall design scheme of the room. I would think that there really are very few. Even modern Gothic styled rooms have plenty of appropriate opportunities to use pottery to enhance the theme.

All in all, pottery makes an excellent accent for home décor. The first thing that comes to mind is a pottery vase. These can hold live plants, flowers, fake greenery, or simply contain your prized marble collection out of sight and away from the little ones. They look great standing on the floor, on mantles, and on tabletops in addition to many other places throughout the home. A vase looks good in almost any room and is quite functional while also being quite beautiful depending on the style and artistry of the particular vase in question.

Stoneware plates are great decorative additions and look wonderful on plate rails or on wrought iron plate wracks that are designed to hold them on the wall or on a plate stand on a bookshelf or the mantle. Bowls are another excellent choice for decorating with pottery. They can be functional, holding fruit on a dining room table or kitchen counter tops or they can be simple adornment on a stand, displayed for the world to see, or holding candles arrangements, potpourri, or a collection of interesting and decorative balls. The possibilities are endless and you can change your pottery display to accommodate various seasons if you are so inclined.

Pottery pitchers may also be very decorative rather than merely practical. Rather than holding your lemonade or iced tea you can fill the pitchers with floral arrangement of fresh flowers or a nice silk arrangement. This allows you to showcase the pottery you love rather than keeping it locked in the cabinets and reserved for special occasions that call for yet another pitcher of some cold beverage. It also allows for you to have some fun deciding all the neat and interesting ways to showcase your collection and shock and amaze those who visit your home.

The Beauty of Mexican Pottery

All pottery from around the world has some similar qualities to all other pottery and some qualities that are unique to the culture in which it was crafted and created. There is much that goes into the creation of pottery pieces from the clay that is molded and shaped to the intricacy of carvings, paintings, glazing, and even the firing method that is used to, in essence, create the actual pottery piece. This is often considered to be among the most beautiful forms of pottery in the world today. Of course there are those who disagree as beauty is in the eye of the beholder but there is little doubt that it is among some of the most intricately designed pottery you will find around the world today.

The Mexican pottery of today is made combining ancient methods with modern technology for a grand and beautiful effect. Some of the more elegant pieces of this pottery on the market today are hand built rather than crafted on a potter's wheel and very few are made with the use of ceramics, relying instead on clay for these beautiful pieces of pottery. Various potters will have different styles of crafting their creations. Some may use the wheel while others will not. Keep in mind that many of the finer pieces that are most often associated with the best of Mexican pottery offerings are those that are made as mentioned above.

This is sold around the world and greatly coveted by those who have a sincere interest in collecting pottery for its beauty and the method of design, which combines some of the ancient traditions that have been passed down through generations among artisans with the best in new technologies with a stunning appeal.

Not all Mexican pottery is serious business however; there are plenty of pieces that are perfect for those looking to collect the more unusual, off the wall, and whimsical pieces of potter that can be found if one knows where to look. Mexican pottery sometimes takes on the shape of whatever the artist happens to fancy at the moment, depending of course on how seriously the artist takes him or herself. If you are in the mood to collect some of the mythical creatures of Mexican folklore, chances are that you can find a potter that will incorporate these beasts into his or her work (for the right price of course). There have been some quite famous pieces that have been completely whimsical in nature and serve as a great reminder that we really should avoiding taking our lives and ourselves so seriously all the time. Life is best enjoyed when the living are smiling and having fun.

Finding Pottery Online

There are many ways to find great pottery. While it is often best to see the pieces in living color, the Internet offers opportunities for those who do not have ready or easy access to great artisans in their town or who prefer a type of pottery that typically isn't carried locally to find the pieces they desire to add to their collections without traveling extensively in order to do so.

There are a few drawbacks to ordering pottery online and one of those would be the fact that you are only seeing a very flat representation of the finished product. In other words, it is very difficult for a picture to recreate the drama that a certain piece of pottery may have. The colors cannot be relied upon as accurate because of the differences in cameras, monitors, and picture quality. This means that if you are getting what you think is one color, that will match a certain feature in your room, you may actually be getting another color all together (blue and purple are often difficult to differentiate among other colors). This means that seeing the piece in person is definitely the best way to go if you have the opportunity. If not, be certain that the dealer from which you purchase the piece has a good standing with the BBB and a liberal return policy.

Another reason you should display caution when purchasing pottery online is that you can't really gauge the quality of the workmanship through a photograph either. This means you may be getting flawed pieces and yet paying the price you would expect to pay for a perfect piece of pottery by said artist. Unfortunately we cannot trust everyone to be completely honest. It is a sad truth but one that should definitely be considered. Many flaws will not show up on camera, particularly if there is only one view of the piece. Pottery, even when flawed can still be beautiful but no one wants to pay more than a piece of pottery is worth, especially those that are collecting as an investment.

Italian Pottery - Selecting From Beauty

Although there are a variety of different types of pottery available today from Italy, all of them share one important characteristic--beauty. Some pottery is made in factories, others are hand made, but each has it's own unique style giving each pot its special character. Even though you can get Italian styled ceramics and pottery all over the world, you can get the most valuable pieces by going to Italy to purchase them. To buy a hand crafted traditional piece from the artist or the place it was made is a great experience.

There are plenty of styles and designs of Italian Pottery that may interest you. Even if one artist or company makes a piece in the same style as another, each carries its own individual twist.

Another option is to seek out ancient or antique pieces. Italy has an interesting past, and these pieces of art show some of it's old style.

Some examples of names to look for to find authentic Italian pottery are Festa, First Stones, Rustica, Giardiano, and Deruta. You'll find plenty of colors or unique deigns to fit your tastes.

The designs don't stop with simply plates and bowls, but include a wide variety of shapes and sizes.

The pottery doesn't have to be just for decoration. In Italian meals, the pottery is the main focal point of the meal. Whether you use it for meals every day, for special occasions, or just to display, you will be happy with your investment.

Although you can tell a piece of art is Italian from looking at it, many different designs are used today that wouldn't be considered traditionally Italian. Most pieces, however, have the conventional Italian use of bright colors, outdoor scenes, and rustic looks. When searching for the pieces of pottery that you want for your collection, find the ones that say to you, "This is Italian!".

Mexican Pottery and Pottery Painting

Mexican pottery has amazing quality and beauty. It is widely sought after and has many different styles, colors, and shapes to choose from. The age of the pottery makes a huge difference as well. The modern pieces are very colorful and well made, but the ancient pieces hold so much history and are some of the most beautiful pieces of art ever made.

There are many different choices of Mexican pottery. The oldest pieces have been around for thousands of years. You may look at ancient pieces and think that they are made too complexly to be genuinely from that long ago, but the civilization was very advanced and they are authentic. There are often stories shown on this pottery from pre Columbian times, and the designs are the most unique.

More modern types of Mexican pottery hold many options also. Some of the most elegant pieces are made in modern times. The artists often still use traditional methods, but with a different style. No matter what, they all carry a unique Mexican flair. Some pieces offer the same stories and depictions as the ancient pieces, and are a good alternative to buying the actual ancient pieces.

Researching the Mexican styles will be an intriguing experience by itself. There are no other pieces of pottery in the world like it. They show so much color, culture, history, workmanship, and quality. They also look right at home on a landscaped patio. Mexican pottery hold a magical quality.

Itís not a fluke that large pottery warehouses are opening across the country to offer pottery painting to consumers. You can go to the mall and instead of shopping for a piece of pottery or a gift for a family member, you can paint one yourself! It is an enjoyable experience that can be great for children and adults. Children can showcase their artistic talent and take their masterpieces home with them. You can even organize a birthday party at one of these warehouses.

Pottery can be difficult to make, but it is easy to paint. The pottery warehouses have a variety of pieces already made for you.

You can choose sizes, shapes, and/or themes. You can also choose your paint colors and designs. For a birthday party, a theme can be chosen for everyone at the beginning, or each person can choose their own theme.

You don't have to worry about buying all of the pottery supplies since they are provided for you, and there will be no mess to clean up afterwards. There is a fee of course, on a per person basis and also based on the amount of pottery painted and the size of the pottery.

Besides children's parties, painting pottery locations are great for adults to learn about what can be done with pottery. It can be a great spot to take friends or a date to. Overall, it can be a great, artistic way to spend a day off.

Beginning Ceramics - Pottery Experience Necessary!

A potential problem with learning ceramics is that you must have some experience with pottery to be able to learn ceramics. But, unless you have a pottery expert to teach you, or unless you enroll in a pottery class, there is really no easy way to learn how to do ceramics. It can be difficult to find the right person to help you through the learning process if you don't know where to look, but these tips below should help you to get started with pottery, and then once you gain some experience, with ceramics.


You can get help from a local community collage or recreational center. Many offer Saturday classes that are good for people who work 9-5 during the week. Hands on learning with a qualified teacher is the best way to learn pottery.


The internet is a great source of information about pottery. You can find ceramic designs, tools, and materials that you need to create your own pottery. You will have to purchase some of these, but others are free of cost to help you learn. Also, you can find a network of people online who can help guide you through your learning experience by giving you information and helpful tips.


Local art schools often offer evening and weekend classes. A large amount of materials are needed for the complete pottery process, so a class at an art school will give you access to important tools, such as the kiln.

Although it is important to learn pottery hands-on with an experienced person, through the internet or through local classes or schools, it is entirely possible to learn how to create beautiful pottery and ceramics.

Once you begin to learn and are trained, you can do much of the work at home if you buy the right supplies. It may be possible to do most of your work at home, and then network with other artists to find a kiln to use. Clay is a fun medium to work with, so donít give up just because it takes a little more effort to get started than it does with other areas of art.

American Indian Pottery: In the Past and In the Present

How American Indians arrived and when they arrived in the United States is a topic that has long been up for debate. There are conflicting reports and theories on when American Indians arrived here and how they did. In any culture, people and animals pass on and belongings become ruined. This tends to make it difficult to understand and study a particular culture. A popular tradition in the history of American Indians has made it easier for their history to be examined.

Pottery was a tradition that existed in the past and it continues to exist today. Pottery making has changed with time, but many American Indians have continued to carry on the tradition of making pottery in the same way that their ancestors did. In addition to being a longstanding tradition, pottery pieces have made it easier to understand the history of American Indians.

In today’s society American Indian pottery is often made for the sole purpose of money. There are a large number of individuals who still do it for the love of pottery and the history of it, but Native American pottery is wanted by individuals all around the world. This popularity has led to the development of a large number of American Indian pottery stores.

In the past, American Indian pottery was made with the purpose of using it. Men, women, and children used pottery on a daily basis. Pottery was often used for cooking, storage, and transporting necessities. Art was often the last thing on the mind of a pottery maker. Despite the fact that American Indian pottery was made for the purpose of being used, there are many similarities between today’s pottery and the pottery of the past.

Whether they intended it or not, may ancient pottery pieces are beautiful pieces of artwork. In fact, ancient pottery pieces are often valuable and considered a treasure. There are a large number of individuals and museums that pay a large amount of money to obtain older works of art. Whether it is for public display or personal possession, there is just something about owning a piece of history.

When American Indian pottery is made for commercial use, modern methods are often used to make the items. This modern way of making pottery has caused a small amount of controversy. There are many American Indians who wish to hold onto and celebrate their culture. This includes leaving traditions the way that they were. When many families teach their children how to make pottery, they often do so the way that their ancestors did. Many American Indians, to this day, still dig their own clay, mold it, and finish it with fire the way that it was done in the past.

Throughout the years, American Indians have had to alter their lives and traditions to fit into today’s society. Keeping with their past beliefs and traditions is difficult to do in today’s society. That is why pottery making continues to be an important tradition to American Indians. Pottery making has not only kept an important tradition alive, but it has helped to provide valuable financing to tribes and families that may be in desperate need of the money.

Pottery Barn Slip Covers - What You Should Know

Pottery Barn slip covers are an ideal way to turn that favorite old recliner or couch into a like new piece of furniture. So, what does Pottery Barn have to offer and how can they help transform your home furnishings?

Pottery Barn has been around for nearly 60 years now and has been a leader in the home furnishings industry. What began in 1949 as an idea to make any home more comfortable on the inside has turned into a massive success.

The company offers their customers a full line of slip covers for sofas, chairs, sectionals, dining room chairs and more. They also sell other quality furniture and accessories.

Pottery Barn sofa slip covers is one of the company's most popular items. By browsing through their online catalog you can find a wide range of styles, colors and materials to suit any home decor.

Recently, we found ourselves needing a new sofa slip cover for our old sofa in the family room. I hopped online and found the Pottery Barn website and catalog. Within 15 minutes I found the perfect slip cover that matched up with my interior decor, placed the order online and was finished. The ease in ordering online is hard to beat.

Of course, the Pottery Barn also has a mail order catalog and various stores throughout the country that you can shop from.

So, if you need a slip cover for that old sofa or any other piece of furniture, try a Pottery Barn slip cover. I think you will be pleasantly surprised with the results.

Egyptian Pottery - Ageless Beauty

Ancient Egypt is a place of wild beauty and great fascination to many people today. Once, a hotbed of intrigue, commerce, and industry there is much about Egypt that remains dark and mysterious even in the modern world in which we currently live. One thing is certain however, the ancient Egyptians were artisans in their own right and one type of art in which they excelled was pottery. The pottery of ancient Egypt is often imitated today for many reasons.

Scholars have come to some sort of consensus of belief that the ancient Egyptians may have been the first to use enamel in pottery-a practice that adds great beauty and value to the pottery pieces, making them a true work of art. The amazing thing is that this is something that was introduced, we believe, nearly four thousand years ago and is still valued in today's modern society.

To illustrate just how important pottery was to the ancient Egyptians there are actually pieces of pottery that are included in the ancient hieroglyphics that depicted acts of day to day living in this ancient civilization. Pottery was included in more than a few of these glimpses into history establishing its importance and the commonality of its use.

Pottery in ancient Egypt was almost always made for use rather than made for decoration. Even the smaller pieces were meant to hold perfumes with the larger pieces of pottery holding grains, water, wine, and even meat for later use or consumption. The pottery of ancient Egypt could also be found in many sizes to accommodate the different needs the pottery filled. It was common to find various pieces ranging in sizes from inches tall to three or four feet in height. Pottery was as common to the Egyptians of old as appliances are today and it did serve to make life go much more smoothly for the people who used it.

In ancient Egypt pottery was also used for some of the most sacred rites of burial. Pottery pieces were used to hold certain organs after they were removed from the body during the embalming process to prepare the body for burial. Each of the following: heart and lungs, liver, small intestines, and the stomach were placed in four separate containers made of pottery and buried along with the body. It should be noted that the Egyptians are not the only civilization to use pottery in relation to the dead. The ancient Greeks also stored the ashes of their dead in ceramic containers.

Throwing Pottery is Great Fun

The act of throwing pottery, which is essentially to create pottery through the use of a device known as a potter's wheel is one that many people go into their first pottery class expecting to enjoy immediately. While it is an essential pottery skill for some of the many pottery techniques, it is not something that is generally taught in the first class of an introduction to pottery sort of environment. Unless you are taking a class that is particular focused on learning to throw pottery it is typically a skill that you will get around to eventually rather than jumping into feet first.

If you are not a dip your toe in the water sort of person you can always find classes and courses (many of these are taught by art shops and museums in your local area or the nearest metro area). If you cannot find an acceptable course in your area you can always search your local library for information as well as purchase various videos and books that will teach you the essentials from book stores or online. The one thing to keep in mind when it comes to throwing ceramics or pottery is that it is often best to have some sort of fundamental understanding of working with clay before you begin. It just makes the process go a little more smoothly.

If you are going to be throwing pottery or dealing with any sort of pottery on a regular basis you should familiarize yourself with the proper safety procedures for doing so. This is information that most people will receive when taking classes offered by qualified instructors and is vitally important as there are some dangerous materials that are often handled when working with ceramics. If not you can find a great list of safety measures for working with pottery by doing a simple search online. I do recommend you study them well as I am sure you do not wish to risk your health for the sake of a hobby, even one as enjoyable as making pottery.

Even after you've managed to take a course or two on throwing pottery you may be interested in taking a course that deals with a specific design style of throwing pottery. One popular style is Raku pottery. You can often purchase videos for various styles that will be rather simple to follow once you have general throwing basics down and you can move on to more stylized methods of throwing pottery that are a bit more challenging and more fun in the long run. Increasing skills and expanding them is always a great pursuit and there are simply so many things that can be accomplished with pottery.

Valuable Picasso Pottery - It's In The Marks!

Much like a signature on a painting, pottery marks serve to identify where a piece was created, who made it, and what company sold it. The pottery marks aren't obviously placed, as to not overtake the beauty of the piece itself. They are often hidden well inside, making it tough to learn much from them. If you can't find the mark or tell what it means, a pottery expert will be able to locate it and explain to you its significance. The marks are important, so you should certainly look into them on any piece of pottery that you acquire or are looking to purchase.

The marks can be used to help date the piece, which can be especially helpful to historians. Historians can learn who designed the pieces, when they made it, and where they made it. From this information, they can learn what the culture of the time was like and what the typical living patterns and conditions were. A lot can be learned about the culture by seeing what tools were used to make the pottery as well.

Since you are probably not a historian, this information probably means less to you. It is still interesting to know about, but the main reason looking for marks will help you is to tell what the pottery is worth. A mark can help you determine the value of the pottery in several ways. You have to start by simply finding the mark and assessing what it means. If you can't find it or tell what it means, consult a professional. Once you have a basic understanding of it, you can search pottery databases on the internet to find details about your pottery. These are very helpful tools and you can learn about the work you've bought and find out what it's truly worth. You may have a treasured piece of art and not even know it yet!

Antique Sculptures and Pottery

Studying antique sculptures and pottery is a great way to see how cultures have evolved and how artistic skills have developed over the centuries. If you are interested in learning about these ancient arts then you may want to begin by selecting a single culture to examine. Start with their primitive pieces and work your way up to modern pieces.

No study of antique sculptures and pottery can be complete without looking at the classical pieces created in Rome and Greece. The sculptures created by Michelangelo are perhaps the most well known of the classical artists, and they are some of the most accessible artworks to study. If you don’t live near a museum that offers a display of Michelangelo’s work, then you can study his work by reading books on art history, by reading books on Michelangelo and by touring European art galleries and museums online.

While sculpture tends to be regarded as a more exciting art form then pottery, pottery offers you a glimpse into the real lives of ancient cultures. Pottery should be examined by looking at its shape, its colors, its patterns and its uses. All of these details will help you to understand what people valued, what they ate and drank and how they lived.

Moving forward in time to the 19th and 20th century you can find example of antique pottery that are more accessible to North American collectors and connoisseurs. If you are interested in North American antique pottery then you may want to study Roseville pottery. This form of pottery was manufactured in the U.S. between the 19th and 20th centuries. It is characterized by its simple and functional designs. One popular pattern found in this form of antique pottery is the Pinecone pattern. Other popular pattern lines include the Water Lily line and the Laurel style.

Making Your Gardening Antique With Pottery

It's unfortunate that people who are just starting to collect pottery overlook some of the best, most unique pottery ever made--antique pottery. Whatever your price range, you can find plenty of options of types of pottery from different designers around the world.

You may think buying anything with the word "antique" in it would be out of the price range of a beginning collector. Although for some pieces this might be true, it is certainly not always the case. There are a variety of colors, styles, characteristics, and cultural traditions to chose from for any collector.

When looking for antique pottery, a collector is sure to find examples of talent from all around the world. Native American pottery is the most well known as being very unique and in high demand, but Greek, Italian, and Polish Pottery are sought after as well. Collectors often are much more specific than choosing between Green or Italian Pottery, for example.

Some look for pottery from a specific region in one of the countries, or even pottery from one specific family or manufacturer. This can be interesting for your collection, but make sure not to overlook other pieces from that time period that may be great pieces of art and history.

It is not easy to collect antique pottery. It is difficult enough to find high quality pieces at a good price, but it is just as necessary to find pieces that fit within the important stylistic characteristics of the time period in which they were made. A collector must overcome the challenges of where to locate the pottery, how to know if it's authentic, and how to purchase it safely. The collection process is part of the joy of owning the pottery however, and the challenges make the most unique pieces that you can acquire well worth the time, effort, and money. It also makes each container unique in your garden!

Indian Pottery Craft - A Vibrant Handicraft Tradition

Making pots was the earliest vocation of Indians. Many civilizations are named after the type of pottery found. They were made in various colors and material. The primary colors used were red, black, ochre and white. Similarly the designs used were also different and significant. On the basis of clay found in the region of manufacturing they had their own variations.

Pottery was first made by man for utilitarian purpose but in later course when savage mankind transformed into civilized one, this became one of the most sought after vocation. Invention of potter's wheel was a revolutionary development which provided the much needed boost to pottery making.

When the utilitarian purpose of pottery was fully explored, the artistic creativity deviated towards the decorative aspect. Pottery has been used as decorative item for a very long time. The design of the pottery and the impressions made on it reflects the view and disposition of the society of the time. Shape and color of a piece of pottery gives a visual message. This art is most sensual and elegant of all arts. In has to be handled very carefully to make it long lasting.

The glory and chic of the Indian pottery is not diminished at all even today. Different regions of India boast of making different but yet unique pieces of pottery. The same flower pot can be found in an amazing variety of shapes, sizes and designs depending upon the place of its creation. The diverse nature if Indian handicrafts can be evidently seen in its pottery traditions. Every Indian state is special in its own traditions of pottery be it Bengal and terra cotta, Rajasthan and blue pottery, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and other Indian states and their traditions.

Rajneesh Dubey is Content Coordinator for http://www.india-crafts.com This is a website covering all kinds of art and craft forms of India. Here, you will come to know about jewelry, dresses, sculptures, religions, paintings and various other topics on India. You can see here the lists of the manufacturers, exporters and suppliers of an array of handicrafts too.

Cimarron Pottery Opens in Moore

Cimarron Pottery and World Imports has opened retail operations in the City of Moore Shopping Center, west of Interstate 35 at 605 N. Moore Ave.

The lease is for 66,000 square feet. That is about half the size of the company's other store, west of Yukon on Interstate 40 at Cimarron Rd., but will contain the same merchandise, said owner John Rabon.

He said the store will serve "a very strong customer base from Moore down to Ardmore that may not be able to get out to Interstate 40 as often."

"I expect some business from the Moore store to come from the (Yukon) store but my feeling is that the total number of (sales) dollars will increase to justify the Moore store," he said.

The Moore store has about 30 employees. Merchandise includes house wares, silk floral, baskets and pottery. Rabon said 50 percent of the items are imported.

The Yukon store opened in 1985 as Garden Ridge Pottery and World Imports and has about 50 employees.

Ceramic Kilns Make Pottery a Breeze

Classical pottery falls into three main categories: earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain. The difference is a matter of what type of clay or clay mixture it is made from; and also the temperature of the ceramic kiln in which it is fired, since the temperature of firing controls both the strength and physical appearance of the pottery. Earthenware is made from naturally occurring clays which can be found all over the world. Usually earthenware is decorated with colorful glazes and designs, and is fired at a relatively low temperatures since high-temperature firing reduces the color of most glazes. Earthenware pottery is quite fragile, and it easily chips and breaks compared with the other pottery types.

Stoneware, by contrast, is a heavy, hard, pottery which is manufactured principally from stoneware clays. Stonewear clay items are fired in ceramic kilns at very high temperatures, which causes the stoneware surface to become glossy. Therefore, it is not really necessary to glaze stonewear. Another advantage of stonewear is that it is both heavier and stronger than earthenware.

The most delicate and purest type of pottery is porcelain, which was invented in China during the Tang dynasty (618 to 907), and was subsequently refined to perfection during the Ming (1368 to 1644 and Qing (1644 to 1912) dynasties. Chinese emperors during the Song dynasty (960 to 1279) founded factories to manufacture porcelain; and in the next few hundred years the secret of porcelain manufacture spread to Korea and Japan. While the secret of porcelain-making was closely guarded by the Chinese, it was discovered independently in Europe in the early 1700's, and soon Europeans created porcelain factories producing such famous wares as Sevres, Meissen, Wedgwood, and Worcester. There are two basic types of porcelain: hard paste, which is fired in a high-temperature ceramic pottery kiln; and soft paste which is fired in lower temperature kilns. Chinaware is an example of soft paste porcelain. Porcelain clay is a mixture of flint, feldspar, and primarily kaolin. Kaolin clay is fine and white, so that porcelain usually fires to a shade of translucent white.

Modern pottery is usually made of polymer clay, which came into wide use in the 1960's. Polymer clay is not clay at all, but rather is manufactured from the same material as PVC tubing (polyvinyl chloride). Unlike the fragility of objects made from natural clays, polymer clay items won't break if dropped. Also polymer clays are fired in the ceramic kiln at much lower temperatures than are natural clays. There are even types of polymer clays which can air dry without needing ceramic kilns at all. Polymer clays allow the creation of pottery of many different colors and translucencies, with embedded metallic or mineral fibers. As with natural clays, polymer clay objects can be hand-decorated with painted, pencil, ink, or chalk drawings before being glazed and fired in the ceramic pottery kiln. The versatility, ease of use, and infinite possibilities for design and manufacture make polymer clays the most widely used clay in the world.

Selecting a Pottery Kiln

If you have decided to buy a pottery kiln, don't get overwhelmed by all the different models available out there.

When you tried making pottery for the first time, you may have been a bit overwhelmed by all of the different aspects of ceramics like glazing, firing, and using a pottery wheel. There were so many things to learn, so many aspects to look into. Just because you have gotten past that and are looking to buy a kiln, there is no need to be overwhelmed all over again.

A pottery kiln is a sort of baking oven in which your created pieces are going to be "fired." This is of course after you have designed them to your own specifications and imagination, added a little bit of glaze on the surface of the pottery to give it that particular professional gleam.

Top Things to Consider

When you are going to buy the pottery kiln of your choice, remember the three considerations below:

1. What is your top priority? Are you using the kiln just for firing the products made up during the weekend? Or are you looking for a huge heavy-duty kiln, which can "fire" your professional products needed by customers?

An electric kiln is one option and is often used by professionals in studios, as well as people who want to use a kiln at home. Gas kilns are also available for those that prefer or have gas in their homes or place of business. An electric kiln easy to fire up and you are also going to get a much brighter color on the surface of your product. Gas kilns normally use propane, and the colors are going to be rather muted. The cause of this muting is due to the reduction of oxygen present in the atmosphere, while the kiln was being utilized.

Many electronic kilns have the sort of settings found in a good washing machine. For example, you are going to find temperature soak, delay start, ramp speed and other such computer-controlled instructions in an electronic kiln. So, if you are looking for a good kiln in which you can get a controlled and optimized temperature profile, always choose an electronic kiln. Remember to look at the voltage supply at your studio or your home and then buy the right electronic kiln with that particular specific voltage.

2. Size matters in kilns. You can choose the standard sizes in kilns, ranging from small kilns used to fire tiny jewelry parts to sizes of these different dimensions -- 18 x 18, 29 x 27 for professionals and 23 x 27 for a weekend enthusiast.

You always have to remember that the size of the kiln is going to depend upon the product that you intend producing. Are you trying your hand on bowls and other crockery or are you going in for heavy duty sculptures? The kiln should be completely loaded before you fire it, so that you can get maximum and optimal efficiency out of it.

3. Temperature control is also important. The temperature of the kiln comes in a Cone 6-10 range, which means high-temperature. You may also want to go in for a kiln that has the timer and automatically switches itself off, when the optimal temperature is reached. A kiln that has an automatic electronic controller is always a good buy. That means you do not have to monitor the temperature manually.

Just remember to look at the kiln that suits your requirements and your budget and you can't go wrong.

Happy firing!

Materials and Techniques Used In Pottery

Pottery is the oldest art of making clay utensils. It is basically clay (cement-like earth) which is modeled, dried and then fired into a vessel. Pottery may then be decorated with paint and glaze applied to it. There are certain materials used in making pottery. Clay is one of the most important materials used in making pottery and the clay used must be soft and malleable. Again clay is formed when rock decomposes into flat plates and water is trapped between these microscopic plates. Clay consists of 40% aluminum oxide, 14% water and 46% silicon oxide.

There are different types of clay and they can be grouped as primary clay and secondary clay. Primary clay is not mixed with other forms of sediment and it is not transported by water or glacier. Potter's clay is the most commonly used clay in creation of potteries. The secondary clay is mixed up with sediments and is lighter and finer than the previous one. Clay is sometimes given additives.

In the early stages of history, the main machine in making pottery was a potter's wheel. A potter's wheel was a wheel with a connecting wire which was tied to a pedal. The wheel spun as soon as the pedal was pushed and the potter shaped the pot with his hand when the clay was put in the center of the wheel. Clay was the main ingredient. It was made from mud or other kinds of dirt. The design was made using rocks, knives and twigs. Then the clay is placed in a kiln which is a type of oven used for heating the clay until it becomes solid. Glaze and/or paint adds a finishing touch to the pot.

However it must always be kept in mind that pottery is rarely made from raw clay. Clay is almost always mixed with other materials.

A variety of materials are used today in making pottery .The two most widely used materials in pottery are-

1. Ceramics

2. Porcelain.

Porcelain clay is made from white stone by crushing it and it is purified with water by mixing it until it becomes smooth and soft. This porcelain clay is also known as china clay or terracotta. There are different natural raw materials used in making traditional ceramics. The chemical used in the composition should be carefully measured so that no defects occur. The main motive of the chemical is to remove impurities or contamination. There are basically six types of ceramic raw materials - silica sand, clay, feldspar, calcium and magnesium carbonates, sodium and calcium borates and zirconium silicate. In a sample of ceramics the chemical cauterization is done by X-ray fluorescence, potentiometer, coulometer and atomic absorption spectrometry. There are again different ceramics with their own unique compositions used for making electrical goods as well.

These are some of the materials used in making pottery and ceramics. Today lots of research is being carried out for development in the field of pottery making and ceramics. This research aims at making better quality pottery by including different chemical substances and other enhancements.

How to Be a Pottery Artist

A pottery artist knows there are several steps to create incredible wares with clay. Often an artist puts the clay through a variety of processes to make the beautiful finished product you purchase from artisans or retailers.

The most basic tool a potter has is their hands and the clay. Over the history of manufacturing pottery, various others tools were created to make the process more precise. During the earliest years of pottery creation, hands and clay were the only tools used. Wares such as bowls and mugs were constructed from slabs, balls and coils of clay painstakingly reshaped by hand. Today potters still use their hands to create original artwork because they have a higher degree of control over the clay.

Potters wheels were developed to shape clay more quickly in uniform shapes. Identical bowls and wares are easier to make on a potter's wheel. A turntable, referred to as the wheel head, rotates at various speeds. The clay must be thrown and centered on the potter's wheel, which is a very important skill to master. Once the clay is centered, it is opened, flattened, pulled and trimmed to refine its shape. All of these techniques take time to master. Also, on a potter's wheel creations must all basically have a radial symmetry on a vertical base.

Potters can decorate clay prior to the throwing process. By adding certain elements such as sand, the final creation will have a unique texture and design. Colored clays may be used or colorants added to create a certain pattern. Once pottery creations are made by hand or on a potter's wheel, they are usually glazed for protection and decoration. Potters test temperatures and techniques to determine the most attractive glazing processes. Certain types of glazing are done in the kiln to create unusual textures.

Glaze is actually made from rock, powdered rock and elements such as salt or sulfur. When glaze is heated and cooled, it becomes hard and shiny. During the various processes of heating and cooling, the glaze develops a certain texture and appearance. Pottery artists experience with these various processes to make one-of-a-kind creations.

Pottery is truly created when the firing process occurs and the clay is heated up. The clay creation is placed in kiln brick heated by electricity, wood, coal or gas. Firing is done to permanently harden pottery so it is durable and usable. The temperature and duration of the firing determines how the pottery is developed. The kiln atmosphere affects the overall look of the finished pottery creation. In the earliest days, it is believed pottery was fired in bonfires. Today there are a variety of ways to alter the temperature and timing of firing to create various types of pottery including earthenware and porcelain.

To be a pottery artist you need to have creative hands, workable clay, potters wheels with the right techniques for throwing and centering and a kiln brick for firing up your finished product. With the right tools from AMACO and a bit of inspiration, you will be proud of all your creations.

The History of China Pottery

Pottery is considered to be one of the oldest art of the mankind. This art has been developed for more than 8,000 years when people first mixed clay and water, and then they baked it until it was shaped. The reason why pottery was so developed back then is that people needed bowls to cook on them, to store things and also for decorations as vessels. The origin of pottery is considered to be ancient Chinese cultures. Yangshao Culture which existed 5,000 to 7,000 years ago were the first civilization to paint pottery. This is when the pottery finally reached its perfection.


Luoyang is a very famous city in the center of China, which is widely known as the manufacturer of hand-made ceramic Tri-colored Tang, or the so called Tangsancai. It refers to the three colored pottery from the Tang Dynasty which existed around eleven centuries ago. It was called the three colored because they used yellow, green and white to paint them. Usually the figures were horses, female figurines and some of the musicians figurines.


The Yangshao culture were mostly famous for their fish patterns pottery. The figurines dating back from the Qin Dynasty were very famous for their purple colored pottery, the condensed structure and their high intensity. The Song Dynasty used purple clay pots for tea because they thought they looked much more graceful than the other materials that were used back then.


In general, during the Three Kingdom period the pottery was mostly inspired from gods with light colors. A very popular notion about the porcelain origin is that porcelain was created during this period of time. They were used as puppets for theaters. One of the representatives of this period is the Ma Jun who was a mechanical engineer who invented the hydraulic powered "Mechanical Puppet Theatre" which was used to entertain the Emperor.

Japanese Pottery For Your Home

There are many people that like the look of Japan's finest pottery items. They often do not know where to go to find these pieces or what they should look for in them.

The look of Japanese pottery can vary in a few different ways. Sometimes these pottery pieces feature traditional colors, and other times, the colors do not have that significant of a meaning. Traditionally, they are normally a light blue or sometimes a fiery red color. If you have an idea of what you are looking for, it can make the search much easier than just looking at everything and trying to decide what you want to use in the end.

The many ways that this pottery is used in Japan are as tea cups and also traditional tea serving pieces. You might be someone from this area wanting to have this kind of pottery or you might be someone that just likes to collect it. Whatever way you look at it, you will probably be looking in many places for the pottery that you are looking for.

Some of the best places to look for this kind of pottery are at your local specialty stores. This might mean looking in the Japan oriented stores first because they are going to be more likely to have the pottery that you need and the kinds that you are really looking for. If you are still not able to find what you want, you can take a look on the Internet and see what they can find for you or what you can find on there yourself. You might be surprised to find out that you will be able to find anything that you want or could need with just a click of the Internet.

Take your time and find the pottery from Japan for your home and you will be happy that you did. The easiest thing to do sometimes and the easiest way to find the things that you need are going to be looking in the places that you might not have thought of. So, get a little creative in your search and you won't regret it. The best things are the ones that are sometimes the hardest to find right away. Keep looking and you will not be disappointed in what you find or what you end up paying for that great little gem.

You can create a lovely Japanese theme in your home with Japanese pottery.

Deruta, Italy – A Pottery Lover’s Pilgrimage

Attracting droves of tourists every year, Europe promises the ancient, the diverse, and the completely fascinating. Most travelers scurry past the major sites and cram in as much as possible in order to get through a list of 'must sees.' Unfortunately, much is overlooked due to lack of time and money while the infinite unique treasures sometimes hidden for the resourceful traveler remain undiscovered and unappreciated. Not that visits to the key attractions should be dissuaded!

On the contrary, I'm simply inviting the European travelers to dig a little deeper into their destination country and find the gems that will make them smile as they recall them even decades later. Remember and celebrate the taste of a fresh German pretzel, the sweet smell of the air in a Tuscan vineyard, or the baby soft petals in a colorful field of Dutch tulips. Savor an entire spectrum of sensory bliss as you skip from one country to the next, searching for that tiny unique detail that you will fondly relish for the rest of your life.

Window after window of priceless painted ceramics, a symphony of colors that dance seamlessly together, and terra cotta-colored buildings that have overlooked the area since the Middle Ages – it's almost too much to take in for visitors of Deruta. The sun warmly shines down on the masters that lovingly knead and massage their clay while shoppers 'oohh' and 'ahhh' over the gorgeous works of art. A day in Deruta promises a treasure trove of finds as well as the potential of making new friends - all packaged up in a relaxed atmosphere worthy of any Italian town.

Easy to find and tourist-friendly, Deruta sits right off of Autostrada E45 and immediately greets its visitors with rows of ceramic shops and ample parking. Despite housing over 200 retail stores, each offers its own elegantly unique patterns so it's difficult to not want to see them all. Stop by Cama, right off the main road, for a tour of the facility and a step-by-step journey through the process of ceramics. Cama's proud of their family-owned company and guests of their factory will see an uncle spinning cool, wet clay into pots and pitchers while mom is sanding the seams from the dried earthenware. Follow the circuit to witness the expert artists paint each creamy white argil into a masterpiece of color. Cama's work has been given to the Pope so it's without a doubt, high-quality craftsmanship.

Deruta's Old Town also offers shoppers a delightful time but in a more charming atmosphere. Aged buildings adorned by painted tiles sit just past the city gates and scream to be noticed. Visitors pop in and out of little stores while the cheerful water fountain in the middle of the cobblestone road provides soft background music. Shop owners greet passersby with smiles and conversation, eager to share information on their wares. Visit Mariam, whose talent is truly astounding. She sets herself apart from other Deruta artists by using shades of green and painting the outside surface of her bowls. Stop by Rolli Reno, who paints exquisite tiles of all sizes and incorporates them into trays, key ring hooks, and frames. His style explodes with a colorful symmetry that can brighten any place it's displayed in.

Deruta's the 'Ceramic of Ceramics'…any piece is sure to become a family heirloom

American Indian Pottery: In The Past And In The Present

How American Indians arrived and when they arrived in the United States is a topic that has long been up for debate. There are conflicting reports and theories on when American Indians arrived here and how they did. In any culture, people and animals pass on and belongings become ruined. This tends to make it difficult to understand and study a particular culture. A popular tradition in the history of American Indians has made it easier for their history to be examined.

Pottery was a tradition that existed in the past and it continues to exist today. Pottery making has changed with time, but many American Indians have continued to carry on the tradition of making pottery in the same way that their ancestors did. In addition to being a longstanding tradition, pottery pieces have made it easier to understand the history of American Indians.

In today’s society American Indian pottery is often made for the sole purpose of money. There are a large number of individuals who still do it for the love of pottery and the history of it, but Native American pottery is wanted by individuals all around the world. This popularity has led to the development of a large number of American Indian pottery stores.

In the past, American Indian pottery was made with the purpose of using it. Men, women, and children used pottery on a daily basis. Pottery was often used for cooking, storage, and transporting necessities. Art was often the last thing on the mind of a pottery maker. Despite the fact that American Indian pottery was made for the purpose of being used, there are many similarities between today’s pottery and the pottery of the past.

Whether they intended it or not, may ancient pottery pieces are beautiful pieces of artwork. In fact, ancient pottery pieces are often valuable and considered a treasure. There are a large number of individuals and museums that pay a large amount of money to obtain older works of art. Whether it is for public display or personal possession, there is just something about owning a piece of history.

When American Indian pottery is made for commercial use, modern methods are often used to make the items. This modern way of making pottery has caused a small amount of controversy. There are many American Indians who wish to hold onto and celebrate their culture. This includes leaving traditions the way that they were. When many families teach their children how to make pottery, they often do so the way that their ancestors did. Many American Indians, to this day, still dig their own clay, mold it, and finish it with fire the way that it was done in the past.

Throughout the years, American Indians have had to alter their lives and traditions to fit into today’s society. Keeping with their past beliefs and traditions is difficult to do in today’s society. That is why pottery making continues to be an important tradition to American Indians. Pottery making has not only kept an important tradition alive, but it has helped to provide valuable financing to tribes and families that may be in desperate need of the money.