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CERAMICS

Bisque (or Biscuit Firing)

Preliminary firing helps to stabilize and harden the clay prior to glazing and decorating.

Burnishing

Dry polishing of a hardened unfired piece to produce a glaze-like surface which may be fired.

Casting

A method of reproducing in quantity by using liquid clay & molds.

Casting Slip

A creamy liquid clay poured into a mold and allowed to solidify.

Celadon Glazes

A gray-green semi-opaque to opaque glaze (reduction fired).

China Paint(ing)

A low fire glaze decoration applied to already glazed and fired whiteware or porcelain.

Clay Body

A composition of various ceramic materials.

Coiling

Building the walls of pottery with rope-like rolls of clay, then smoothing the joints.

Cone

Thin, finger-length pyramid of ceramic material made to bend and melt at prescribed temperatures, providing a visual indication of temperature in the kiln.

Crackle Glaze

One featuring minute, decorative surface cracks, sometimes accented by rubbing with colour

Crystal(line)Glazes

Those featuring clusters of crystal-like shapes or colours within a more uniform, opaque glaze.

Drain Casting

Slip is poured into a mold and as the slip hardens against the inside of the mold, reaching the desired wall thickness for the piece, the mold is inverted and the excess slip is drained away.

Earthenware

Tan or reddish pottery fired at a low temperature, below 1100C. In an unglazed form, its porosity prevents it from holding liquids.

Flameware

A flameproof ware, as distinct from ovenware.

Glaze

A coating of glass that gives pottery a smooth a brilliant surface. After the glaze is applied (usually applied by dipping, pouring or spraying) the pot is fired again in order to fuse the glaze and vitrify the clay body of the piece.

Hand Built

The finished object is assembled by hand. It may include wheel thrown, cast, coiled and/or slab elements.

Inlay

A technique of decoration in which the object is incised with a design, a coloured clay is pressed into the incisions, and the piece is then scraped to confine the coloured inlay to the incisions.

Kiln

The most important piece of equipment in a ceramist's studio, the kiln may be fired by electricity, gas, oil or wood and may be constructed by the artist herself.

Low Fired

Clay fired at a temperature sufficient to fuse it into a solid mass, but too low to make it completely non-absorbent.

Low Fire Glazes

Low-temperature finishes, usually associated with bright and shiny colours.

Luster

A metallic or iridescent effect resulting from the application of a thin film of metallic oxide.

Mat(te) Glaze

A non gloss or dull-surface glaze.

Oxidation (or Oxidation Fired)

Firing ceramic ware at high temperatures and without adjusting the atmosphere inside the kiln. It results in lighter, brighter colourations of glazes.

Porcelain

An off-white clay that is very low in impurities, it is fired at high temperatures, between 1330C and 1500C. Generally translucent and delicate-looking it is often decorated in pastel shades.

Raku

Porous earthenware originally made in Japan, it is covered with a lead glaze, fired at very low temperature until the glaze melts, and then taken out with tongs and quickly cooled. The clay is porous and soft, tends to be asymmetrical and is sometimes very organic in form. The glazes are cracked and frequently lustrous or iridescent.

Ram Pressed

Clay pressed into a mold by a machine allowing multiple reproduction of the same design.

Reduction (or Reduction Fired)

Firing ceramic ware at high temperatures and in the presence of added carbon to reduce the percentage of oxygen in the kiln. This produces muted and subtle colour variations.

Saggar

A clay box in which pottery is fired to protect the ware from flame and ash.

Salt Glaze

A centuries old technique, when the kiln reaches the maturing temperature of the clay, salt is thrown into the firebox of the kiln. The salt vaporizes and forms over the pieces a mottled glaze similar in texture to orange peel.

Sawdust-Fired

A primitive firing technique in which slow-burning sawdust produces subtle gradations of colour.

Slab Built

Ceramic ware formed from flat pieces or slabs rolled for that purpose.

Slip Casting

Producing objects using plaster molds and liquid clay (slip). This method allows for multiple reproduction of the same design.

Slip Glazes

Watery clay used for decorative effects and applied by pouring, dipping, brush and spray.

Stain

Any oxide or prepared pigment used for colouring bodies, slips or glazes.

Stoneware

Natural clay, or blend of clays, which is fired at temperatures up to 1280C. When fired it is impervious to liquids and may be unglazed, partially glazed or glazed in several ways. It differs from porcelain principally in colour being gray, tan or reddish, and may show great variation in surface texture.

Terra Cotta

Hard, unglazed, brown-red earthenware clay, most often used for ceramic sculpture, including small figures and architectural ornaments.

Throwing

A ball of clay is centred on the wheel and the thumb is then pressed down in the centre to open the clay and form the base of the vessel. The fingers of both hands pull the excess clay up to form the walls.

Underglaze

Pigments applied to the raw clay or bisque and covered with a transparent glaze, having the advantage of permanence.

Wax Resist

Decoration by applying warm wax to pottery or a layer of glaze so that a successive layer of glaze will not adhere to the wax-decorated area.

Wheel Thrown

Forming of pottery by the action of the potter's fingers and hands against clay centered on the revolving platform of a potter's wheel.

Whiteware

Generic term for white clay bodies usually high in kaolin.

FIBER

Applique

Pieces of material are cut into shapes and applied to another material, using a form of stitchery, glue, or a transparent medium.

Basse Lisse

A "Low warp" technique of weaving done on a horizontal floor loom, used more often in the French town of Aubusson.

Batik

(1) A method of applying dye to cloth which is covered in part with a dye resistant, removable substance such as wax. After dying, the wax is removed, and the design appears in the original colour against the newly coloured background.
(2) The cloth itself.

Faille

A woven cotton, rayon or silk fabric showing a slight ribbing.

Felting

( 1 ) Fabric made of unspun wool (sometimes with fur and other natural or synthetic fibers) which is matted together with moisture, heat and pressure.
(2) A fabric resembling this, such as highly napped cotton.

Hand-screened

Stencil-printed cloth to which one or more colours are applied by hand through stretched, fine meshed "screens" of silk or organdy. The mesh is blocked where colour is not wanted.

Harness

The frame of a loom upon which the heddles are placed. Warp threads are drawn through the eyes of the heddles, which move up and down as the shuttle with the weft yarn passes by. The movement of the heddles determines the pattern.

Haute Lisse

"High warp" technique of weaving done on a vertical loom, used predominantly in the Gobelin factories in Paris.

Ikat

Yarn which is either tie-dyed or painted before being woven into fabric.

Overshot

A distinct weaving pattern or the technique for achieving it. It involves a special loom threading and the use of heavy yarn (alternating with inner yarn) in the weft or narrow direction.

Plangi

Woven fabric pattern-decorated by tie-dyeing: that is, by tying or knotting parts of the fabric so that it will not absorb the dye.

Resist (Resist Dye)

Patterning of yarn or textile by covering certain areas, usually with liquid wax, before dyeing.

Stitchery

A technique in which thread is sewn into cloth that has already been woven, and can include variations of the basic embroidery technique, needlepoint, petit point, and crewel work.

Tapestry

A weft-faced fabric, often with slits where colours meet.

Tapunto

Decorative quilting in which the design is outline-stitched in two layers of fabric, then padded heavily between to form a high relief.

Warp

A number of strong threads placed in parallel and stretching from end to end of the cloth piece, with the loom providing the tension for the warp.

Weaving

The process of making fabric by interlacing a series of warp yarns with weft yarns at right angles.

Weft

Usually softer and more pliable threads that pass from side to side across the warp threads.

Weft-faced

A tapestry weave in which the yarn running the short way is dominant in the design.

GLASS

Batch

A quantity of raw materials mixed in proper proportions and prepared for fusion in the glass furnace.

Cameo/Intaglio

A technique in which the finished glass form is covered with another coating of glass of a different colour into which is carved or etched a design which exposes the base colour

Cased Glass

Glass completely covered [through blowing or dipping) by other, usually differently coloured, glass. Outer layers can be partially cut away to reveal colour(s) of the previous "castings" beneath.

Cold Glass

Solid Glass (bought in sheets, chunks, tubes or rods) is cut, sandblasted, engraved, enamelled, cast or fused.

Copper Foil Technique

Joining glass by applying adhesive copper tape to each piece and soldering the copper together.

Dalle de Verre

Inch-thick cast and pressed glass is used for stained glass windows in areas with restricted light.

Enameled Glass

Decorated with particles of translucent, usually coloured, glass or glass-like material, which fuses to the surface under heat. Multicoloured designs as well as monochrome coatings can be created.

Etched Glass

Glass decorated or otherwise marked by the use of time in boiling water, causing the leather to bend and pucker. When dry, the leather is extremely hard, though fragile.

Free Blown (Freehand Blown)

Glassware shaped by air pressure, such as mouth-blowing through a metal tube ("pipe") to which molten glass adheres.

Fumed Glass (or fuming technique)

Glass is exposed to acid fumes which give the surface an iridescent look popularized by the Art Nouveau glassmakers.

Glass Applique (or Glass Mosaic)

Antique glass is bonded to a base sheet of clear glass.

Glassblowing

Technique by which molten glass is blown into various shapes and then cooled to a solid state.

Graal Technique

Glass which is "blown twice." Glass is made with a colour overlay which is then cut, etched or sandblasted with a decoration. The piece is subjected again to the heat of the furnace to impart fluidity and smoothness to the design and then encased in lead crystal.

Hot Glass

Glass worked in its molten state directly from the furnace, usually in three dimensions. The term is used in opposition to "Stained Glass, "which is usually flat worked cold.

Lamp Work

The technique of manipulating glass by heating it with a small flame.

Leaded Glass

Glass containing a percentage of lead oxide, which increases its density and improves its ability to refract and disperse light. It is used for ornaments, decorative and luxury tableware.

Off-Hand Blown Glass

That which is shaped and finished by blowing and with hand tools rather than by using molds.

Sand-Blasted Glass

Glass whose surface is blown with fine sand under high pressure. It results in a roughened, non-transparent surface (commonly called "frosted"). Deeply engraved patterns can also be produced by using protective stencils.

Slumped Glass

Pre-cast glass, such as plate glass, which is heat-softened and molded over forms.

Soda-Lime Crystal

A type of glass not particularly resistant to heat and used in windows and bottles.

Surface Decoration

Many chemical and physical substances are applied to hot glass during the blowing process, often by rolling the hot glass over a table on which a substance has been sprinkled. Commonly used are powdered or crushed glass and silver nitrate.

LEATHER

Boiling

A water-forming technique in which leather is immersed for a short time in boiling water, causing the leather to bend and pucker. When dry, the leather is extremely hard, though fragile.

Carving

Designs are cut into the leather, then all edges are beveled to make the design stand out. Also called incising.

Chrome Tanning

A tanning process using salts of chromium to make leathers that are especially supple and suitable for bags, garments, etc.

Cuir-Bouilli ("kweer-boo-ee")

A flat piece of leather is soaked, molded over a form, and dried in an oven so that it will harden and retain the molded shape.

Dyeing

Colour is given to an entire leather surface or to parts of a design.

Embossing

A decorative technique in which a design is raised in relief, working with modelling tools on both hair (grain) side and flesh (inner) side.

Flesh Side

The side of the leather that was closest to the musculature of the animal; the inner side.

Glue-Resist

A decorative technique in which a removable glue is applied to the leather before it is dyed. The dye cannot penetrate the glue protected areas.

Laminating

A technique of bonding layers of leather together under pressure for strength, thickness or visual effect.

Lasting

A water-forming process in which the damp leather is forced over a mold and clamped or nailed in place until dry. When dry, the leather retains the molded shape.

Saddle Stitching

A two-handed stitching technique using a needle at both ends of a single thread. It produces a uniform stitch on both sides of the leather.

Stamping

A technique of using hand-made or commercial metal stamps to make impressions on damp leather, lends itself to simple primitive designs and allover geometric patterns. The skill lies in the exact alignment of the impressions and the use of a constant striking force.

Split

The inner layer of the leather cut from the top grain portion.

Suede

A type of leather in which the flesh side is buffed smooth. Suede splits are buffed on both sides.

Tooling

General name given to several related techniques of working vegetable-tanned leather to create effects of low relief: carving, stamping, embossing, etc.

Top-Grain

The outer surface of the hide, still possessing the original grain surface; the hair side.

Vegetable Tanning (or Oak, Bark Tanning)

A tanning process using extracts of tannic acid, that makes strong leathers suitable for belts, bags, etc., and that can be water-formed.

Water-Formed (Wet-Formed)

A technique in which leather is dampened to make it more pliable, and worked freehand or over a mold or last. When dry, the leather will retain its shape.

METAL

Base Metal

Any metal other than a precious metal, such as copper or zinc.

Casting

The process of pouring molten metal into a hollow mold. The cast metal duplicates the object (wood, hard wax, etc. ) originally impressed in the mold material. Some processes permit more than one reproduction.

Champleve ("shahm-pleh-VAY")

Enamel work in which transparent or opaque enamel is fired into etched or carved areas, leaving the metal partly exposed.

Chased

Metal whose surface is patterned by striking with a hammer or other non-cutting tool. Applied to one surface of the metal only, this process is often combined with repousse to achieve greater detail.

Cire-perdue

A wax model is prepared and enclosed in plaster or clay. A small hole is left through which the wax is melted out and then the molten metal is poured in.

Cloissonné

Enamelling in which the colours are separated by thin metal ribbons or wires to form part of the pattern and keep the melting colours from running together.

Constructed (1)

Hand made in parts and assembled to form a whole. (2) Not cast.

Electroformed

Creation of a metal object by electrically depositing metal on a master form of wax. After the wax is removed, a metal shell remains.

Electroplated

Coated with a thin layer of (usually precious) metal by passing an electric current through a chemical solution containing a souroe of the metal.

Enamelling

The process of applying vitreous enamel to a metal surface and firing to form a smooth, glossy surface. The most commonly used enamelling metal is copper, although silver, iron, some steels and gold are used for particular purposes.

Epoxy

A plastic coating applied to the surface of metal which may look like enameling.

Fabrication

Making an object in parts and assembling it to form a whole.

Forming

Flat metal is given contour by bending or depressing it; the thickness of the metal is unaltered.

Forged

The process of thickening, thinning or shaping metal by hammering while at a red or white heat in blacksmithing, but usually cold in jewelry.

Granulation

Tiny balls of metal heat-fused to a metal surface without the use of solder.

Grisaille ("grih-Zl")

Enameling made by firing various layers of fine, white, opaque enamel on an opaque black background.

Holloware

Vessels, such as bowls and pitchers.

Lapidary

The art of cutting, polishing and engraving precious stones.

Lost Wax Casting

A one-time reproduction process in which an object (as of wax) is impressed into sand or surrounded with a special plaster to make a mold. The wax is burned out, and molten metal takes the form of the "lost" wax.
Mark

The unique identifying symbol of the maker, distinguishing source and quality.

Married

Metal Patterns or imagery developed by joining various coloured alloys, such as of bronze, copper and silver adjacent to one another.

Oxidize

Natural darkening and colouring of metal when exposed to oxides in the air. Can be accelerated or controlled for effect.

Patina

(1) A surface colouring, usually brown or green, produced by oxidation of bronze or other metal. It occurs naturally or can be produced artificially for decorative effect.
(2) The substance used to produce the effect. (3) A surface luster occurring from age or use.
Planished
Textured and/or shaped by hammering with a smooth faced hammer across the surface of the metal

Plique-a-Jour ("PLEEK-ah-ZHOOR")

Enameling in which transparent enamels fill small openings in metal, suggesting stained glass windows.
Raised

Hammering a fiat sheet of metal into a container-type form.

Repousse ("reh-poo-SAY")

A technique of hammering with special punches on the back side of a piece of metal in order to produce decoration in relief on the surface.

Resin

A plastic which may be bonded to metal or cast in molds.

Reticulated

A metal surface delicately wrinkled by a special heating process.

Sand-Cast

To produce a casting by pouring molten metal into sand molds.

Scrimshaw

Whalebone or similar material having intricate scenes or designs engraved on its surface. Ink is then rubbed into the engraved lines for contrast and definition.

Soldering

The process of fusing two pieces of metal together by means of an alloy or "solder" with a lower melting point than that of the pieces to be joined.

Vitreous Enamel

A glass with a low melting point, usually in powder form. Colour is obtained by adding various metal oxides.

Wrought

Shaped by beating or hammering, often elaborately, for decorative effect. Wrought iron is also a low-carbon metal which can be elongated without breakage and is resistant to corrosion.

WOOD

Band Saw

A power saw employing a continuous loop of toothed metal band.

Burl

A dome shaped growth on the trunk of a tree.

Holtzapffel Lathe

A traditional woodturning machine with carving attachments powered by the lathe instead of by hand; used for ornamental or decorative work.

Jig Saw

A narrow saw mounted vertically in a frame for cutting curves or other difficult lines.

Jointing

The single most important aspect of construction which determines the strength and durability of the finished piece.

Laminated

Composed of thin layers of veneers or laminations of wood glued together for strength, thickness or decoration. An excellent way of achieving bent wood shapes, as the individual laminations can be bent to a curve before gluing together under pressure.

Marquetry

Decorative patterns formed when thin layers of wood (and sometimes other materials such as ivory) are inlaid into the surface, usually of furniture.

Mortise

A notch, hole, groove or slot made in a piece of wood to receive a tenon of the same dimensions.

Polishing

The pores of the wood are sealed, enhancing the appearance of the piece by bringing out the grain and surface characteristics of teh wood, and providing resistance against heat or spilled liquids.

Router

A machine with a vertical, drill-like cutter for cutting designs into wood or for decoratively edging it.

Spalted

Naturally decayed wood with distinctive markings; used for its decorative effect.

Tenon

A projection on the end of a piece of wood.

Turned

Wood shaped by tools while it revolves about a fixed axis, such as a lathe. Cylindrical forms (dowels, rungs) and circular designs are made in this way.

OTHER MEDIA

Polymer Clay

A modeling compound made primarily of plastic materials that is finished by baking at low temperatures.

Credit: Resources used in compiling this Glossary include the American Craft Council, the book "Handmade in Ontario: A Guide to Crafts and Craftsmen" by Susan Himel and Elaine Lambert (Van Nostrand Reinhold Ltd., Toronto), and the Encylopedia Britannica web site.