| Aesthetic - That which pertains to the beautiful; characterized by an experience and/or appreciation beyond superficial appearance or mere prettiness. |
Anneal (glass) - The process of slowly cooling a completed object in the furnace. This cooling process is necessary in order to reduce the amount of internal strain created during the forming process. The critical range for cooling glass objects is 1,000 to 800 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Bas Relief (ceramics) - A French term meaning "low relief". Raised or indented sculptural patterns in which forms extend only slightly from the background and stay close to the surface.
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| Bird's Eye (wood) - Highly figured wood, characterized by a spotty, mottled grain, suggesting the eye of a bird. As in Bird's Eye Maple. |
| Bisque (ceramics) - 1. The preliminary firing of an unglazed ceramic piece. This (generally) low temperature firing hardens the clay, drives out moisture, and burns out organic material. 2. An unglazed but fired ceramic piece. |
| Blown Glass (glass) - The process of shaping molten glass into a vessel by blowing air through a hollow tube (blowpipe) and manipulating it by spinning, pinching, rolling, and using iron tools. See examples of blown glass. |
| Bois D'Arc (wood) - A deciduous shrubby tree of southern and central United States. Its hard, orange wood was commonly used for bows by Native Americans, thus the name. Also, Bois D'Arc was a common favorite of ranchers for fence posts because of its strong trunk. Early settlers extracted the yellow dye for cloth from the root bark. Often used in woodturning. |
| Bronze (metal) - A metal alloy containing 60%-90% copper with the remaining percentage made up of tin, sometimes with zinc and other trace metals added. Commonly used for cast sculpture. The term is sometimes used in reference to brown colored brasses, etc. |
| Burl (wood) - Irregular, rounded outgrowths that form on the trunks and roots of trees. Highly valued by woodworkers and collectors, burl wood is usually darker than the characteristic color of the tree and has a distinctive grain. See examples of White Birch burl, Maple burl, and White Top burl. |
| Cane (glass) - A long thin glass rod of one or more cloors (composite). Used for decorative accents. |
| Cased Glass (glass) - Two or more layers of glass, usually in contrasting colors. The outer layer is often etched or sandblasted, creating a decorative effect. |
| Celadon Glaze (ceramics) - A ceramic glaze originating in China and perfected in the Sung Dynasty (960-1279 AD). The glaze contains a small percentage of iron and generally produces colors ranging from green to gray tones. |
| Chattered (ceramics) - A decorative technique which involves cutting a design in leather hard clay with a sharp curved tool as it turns on the potter's wheel. Depending on the desired look and texture, this process may be repeated several times. See examples of chattered bowls. |
| Colorways (Fiber) - A combination of colors or color schemes in a particular pattern or design. Each new combination of colors is a new colorway. See example of hand felted vases in 3 different colorways. |
| Cone (ceramics) - A pyramid-shaped ceramic device designed to bend and melt at prescribed temperatures. Cones are placed inside the kiln so they can be viewed during firing and are visual indicators of kiln temperature. Also known as a pyrometric cone. |
| Crystal (glass) - Clear, highly refractive glass that contains at least 4% lead in its formulation. |
| Curly (wood) - Highly figured wood with a wavy grain pattern, as in curly Maple. See examples of curly maple. |
| Dichroic Glass (glass) - Dichroic glass is created by adding a thin layer of metal oxides to the surface of the glass that transmit certain light wavelengths while relecting others. It appears to be different colors when viewed from different angles or in varying degrees of illumination and is often referred to as iridescent. |
| Earthenware (ceramics) - Ceramic ware that has been fired at low temperature and is permeable or porous after firing. Generally red or brown in color. |
| Enamel (metal) - Transparent or opaque glaze that melts lower than copper, silver or gold. Used as a decorative finish on these metals. |
| Engobes (ceramics) - Colored slips decoratively applied to ceramics, usually at the leather hard stage. Engobes do not shrink excessively and bond well to the surface during firing. |
| Etched (various) - The process of creating a design by cutting, sandblasting, or chemically treating the surface of ceramics, glass, gourds, wood, etc. Glass is generally etched by using sandblasting techniques or hydrofluoric acid. Other mediums are etched by cutting the surface with a variety of tools. |
| Figure (wood) - Any design, pattern, or distinctive marking that appears either consistently or intermittently on the surfaces of wood. Figure may be produced by annual growth rings, knots, spalting, discoloration, or any deviations from the natural grain of the wood. |
| Flambi Glaze (ceramics) - A ceramic glaze originating in China during the Sung Dynasty (960-1279 AD). This high-fire glaze is produced by firing copper in a reduced atmosphere. Creates variegated effects of red/purple-red/blue. |
| Flame Annealing (glass) - The process of annealing, or gradually cooling, glass in a torch flame instead of a kiln. The glass is cooled gradually as it is moved slowly out of and away from the flame. |
| Flamework (glass) - The technique of forming/shaping a glass object by heating it with a small flame. The flame softens the glass so that it can be manipulated to the desired shape. Very useful with detailed work. |
| Forge (metal) - The process of shaping red- or white-hot metal with a hammer. Also, a furnace or hearth where metal is heated before shaping. |
| Free-blown (glass) - The process of shaping molten glass by blowing through a long rod, or blowpipe, and manipulating the work with tools of the craft as the piece is rotated. |
| Fused (glass) - Heating glass pieces that are in contact with each other in a kiln until they permanently bond without losing their individual colors. |
| Glassblowing (glass) - The process of shaping glass with air pressure. The molten glass is gathered onto the end of a blowpipe and is formed by blowing through the pipe and manipulating the glass with tools of the craft as the piece is rotated. |
| Glaze Fire (ceramics) - The firing process during which glaze materials melt and form a glassy surface coating on clay. |
| Glory Hole (glass) - A high-temperature chamber used when reheating glass that is being fashioned on a punty rod or blowpipe and for maintaining a working temperature throughout the glassblowing process. |
| Gourd (gourds) - Lagenaria siceraria. A natural resource that has been in use for thousands of years and is considered a staple in many societies. The gourd is the only plant that experts believe to have spanned the entire globe. Many cultures have cultivated and used gourds - both past and present - for things such as bowls, vessels, hats, musical instruments and many other utilitarian purposes. |
| Graal (glass) - A decorative glassblowing process developed in 1916 at the renowned Orrefors glass factory in Sweden. Multiple layers of glass are blown, etched, and sandblasted, creating a design that is completely integrated in the glass. Graal is a very complicated and time consuming process that requires the skill of a highly qualified master blower. |
| Greenware (ceramics) - Unfired pottery. |
| Ikebana - An artistic form of flower arranging that originated in Japan. |
| Incalmo (glass) - A glassblowing technique used to create bands of color by joining two or more sections of hot glass. |
| Inclusions (glass, wood) - Glass: Bubbles, small particles of metal or other miniscule debris occurring naturally within glass or added for decorative effect. Wood: Natural occuring areas in the wood that may include bark, knots, or other naturally occuring materials. Inclusions often add dramatic decorative effect to the finished piece. |
| Iridized Glass (glass) - Glass that has been surface-treated with a vapor deposit of metal oxides. This treatment gives the glass a rainbow or iridescent appearance. |
| Kaki (ceramics) - Pronounced KAY-kee. A high-fired reduction glaze with a generous supply of iron oxide (12% or more), originating in Japan. When cooled properly, Kaki will be a "persimmon" or red color. |
| Kiln (ceramics, glass) - An insulated furnace or oven used for heating glass, ceramics, and enamels. Kilns may be fueled by gas, wood, or electricity. |
| Kiln-formed (glass) - Glass that is formed, altered, fused, shaped or textured in a kiln. |
| Lampwork (glass) - The technique of forming/shaping a glass object by heating it with a small flame. The flame softens the glass so that it can be manipulated to the desired shape. Very useful with detailed work. |
| Latex Resist (ceramics) - Liquid latex used to create designs and patterns on ceramics. The latex is applied to unfired pottery; these treated areas will "resist" glazes. After the glazing, the latex is removed and the clay is fired. |
| Leaded Glass (glass) - Highly refractive glass containing a percentage of lead oxide. |
| Leather Hard (ceramics) - Partially dried clayware. Clay is considered leather hard when most of the moisture has evaporated and shrinkage has ended, but clay is not totally dry. This is a good time for carving, burnishing or joining pieces together (such as applying a handle to a mug). |
| Limited Edition - Artworks or designs produced in a limited quantity. Generally, these works of art are numbered and their value is enhanced by the limited number produced. |
| Low-fire Glazes (ceramics) - Glazes fired at low temperatures that often result in bright and shiny colors. |
| Low-fired (ceramics) - Clay fired at a temperature high enough to fuse it into a solid mass, but too low to make it completely non-porous. |
| Matte - A dull finish or surface that reflects light in a diffused manner. |
| Medium - Most commonly, an artist's method of expression, such as ceramics, painting, or glass, etc. |
| Milk Paint - Made from milk protein (casein), earth pigments, lime, clay and water, milk paint is non-toxic and fade-resistant. |
| Millefiori (glass) - From Italian, meaning "one thousand flowers". A specific type of murrini designed to look like flowers. See Murrini, below. |
| Molten Glass (glass) - Molten glass poured into a mold and allowed to cool, or anneal, assuming the shape of the mold. |
| Murrini (glass) - Small colorful disks created by arranging, or bundling, several glass rods (canes) of varying colors then fusing them together with heat and pulling them thin. The resulting piece is sliced into small disks. These disks are then applied to hot blown glass which is then reheated and blown further. |
| Opaque - Not transparent. |
| Open Firing (ceramics) - Firing not done in an enclosed kiln. A fuel firing in which the flame touches the clay directly. |
| Oribe (ceramics) - A traditional Oriental glaze named after the tea master and warrior, Furuta Oribe (1545-1615). Typically a deep green color produced by copper, it has a tendancy to develop a pink blush in a fuel fired kiln. |
| Overglaze (ceramics) - A low-temperature glaze applied to the surface of a previously glazed and fired surface which is then refired at a lower temperature. Bright colors like red and orange can be maintained this way. |
| Oxidation Fire (ceramics) - A firing atmosphere with complete combustion and an ample supply of oxygen, allowing the metals in clays and glazes to produce their oxide colors. (compare to Reduction Fire) |
| Oxide (ceramics) - A combination of oxygen and other elements. Oxides are used in glaze colors and clays. |
| Pit Fired (ceramics) - Firing with a combustible material such as sawdust, straw, dung, or wood shavings; the material around the clayware is ignited to produce the heat source. Smoke and flames licking around the contours of the pottery produce unpredictable and beautiful results. Usually fired in a hole in the ground. |
| Porcelain (ceramics) - A very white clay which is fired at high temperature to the point of becoming almost vitreous, or glassy. It is translucent when sufficiently thin. |
| Raku (ceramics) - The Raku technique of firing originated in Japan in the 16th century. It is accomplished by rapidly firing ceramic ware in a red-hot kiln and removing the pieces when the glaze is molten. The clay is then immersed in a vessel which contains organic matter and is sealed tightly for the post-reduction process. This method of firing produces irregular surfaces and opalescent colors. |
| Reduction Fire (ceramics) - A firing atmosphere with inadequate oxygen and large amounts of carbon (smoke or unburned fuel). What would have been a copper oxide in an oxidation atmosphere will be pure copper in reduction. (compare to Oxidation Fire) |
| Resist (ceramics) - A method in which a coating of wax, latex or oil is applied to bisque or glazed ceramic ware. The resist prevents the next layer of glaze from adhering to the clay or glaze underneath, leaving the areas where it was applied intact. The resist burns off during the firing process. |
| Salt Glaze (ceramics) - A glaze formed by introducing salt (generally rock salt) into a fully heated kiln. The salt vaporizes, forming a clear coating on the clay. |
| Sandblasting (glass, metal) - An etching method accomplished by spraying the surface of glass, ceramics, etc., at high velocity with compressed air and fine sand. |
| Sgraffito (ceramics) - A decorative process. A line or area is scratched through the top layer of slip, engobe, or glaze when the clayware is at the leather hard stage and before firing, exposing the clay body underneath. |
| Slip (ceramics) - A fine, liquid form of clay used to cast vessels, apply surface decoration or join separately formed parts. When applied to the surface, slip fills in pores and gives uniform color. |
| Slip Cast (ceramics) - A clay object formed by pouring slip into a plaster mold. The plaster absorbs the moisture from the slip, hardening the clay. The mold can then be removed. |
| Slip Glaze (ceramics) - A glaze that is produced by firing a clay past its maturing temperature until it melts. |
| Slip Trail (ceramics) - A surface decoration using slip applied with a nozzle. |
| Slumped (glass) - The process of heating a sheet of glass in a mold until it is soft enough to assume the shape of the mold without becoming molten. |
| Spalted (wood) - Wood that contains areas of natural decay. The distinctive markings created by this decay create a highly decorative effect. |
| Stoneware (ceramics) - A high-fire clay. Stoneware is non-absorptive, even without glaze. Usually brownish, buff, reddish or gray in color. |
| Tenmoku Glaze (ceramics) - Classic East Asian high-iron glaze giving black where thick, breaking down to brown or red-brown where thin. |
| Terra Cotta (ceramics) - A brownish-orange low-fired earthenware clay. Porous. |
| Thrown (ceramics) - From Old English, meaning "spin". The process of forming pottery on a potter's wheel. The action of the potter's fingers and hands against the clay as it revolves on the potter's wheel. |
| Vitreous (ceramics) - Clay that has been fired to maturity so that it is hard, dense, and non-absorbent. |
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