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4-H Ceramics Project

Do you like to work with clays? Do you like to create your own ceramic pieces? Then this project is for you. In this project, you will learn a variety of skills to help you create a wonderful ceramic piece that you will have forever. You will learn about three different clays; earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain and how to finish each type.

Step 3: Select Your Project

Unit 1 Glazes - includes glazes on earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain

This unit is for member’s ages 8-18 years old. This unit is for those members with little or no experience in ceramics. Members will accomplish the following learning experiences:

  • Glazing and glazing techniques
  • Use of elementary tools and other equipment needed
  • Develop a ceramic vocabulary
  • Practice skills of basic preparation of pieces for firing
  • Finish and exhibit one or two pieces made using basic skills described in manual

Unit 2 Underglazes - includes underglazes on earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain

This unit is for member ages 8-18 years old. Members will accomplish the following learning experiences:

  • Underglazing skills
  • Additional techniques for preparing articles for firing
  • The use of additional tools and materials
  • Expand variety of familiar skills and techniques
  • Finish and exhibit one or two pieces made using skills described in the manual.

Unit 3 Overglazes - includes overglazes on earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain

This unit is for member ages 8-18 years old. Members will accomplish the following learning experiences:

  • Overglazing skills
  • Finish and exhibit one or two pieces made using skills described in the manual

Unit 4 Unfired Finishes - includes unfired finishes on earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain

This unit is for member’s ages 8-18 years old. Members will accomplish the following learning experiences:

  • Skills and techniques associated with unfired finishes
  • Finish and exhibit one or two pieces mad using skills described in the manual

Unit 5 Porcelain Dolls – includes china paint on polished bisque or glazed porcelain (China) soft-fired greenware is highly recommended for all doll projects

This unit is for member’s ages 8-18 years old. Members will accomplish the following learning experiences:

  • Skills and techniques associated with painting dolls of all types
  • Mixing China Paint
  • Eyebrow brush strokes
  • Applying blushing to cheeks
  • Applying lip and finger nail color.
  • Assembling doll parts to a cloth body.
  • Making eye cuts and sizing the openings for glass eyes

Unit 6 Hand Constructed with Stoneware
(Member must have completed skills in Units 1 and 2 before enrolling in this unit.)

This unit is for member’s ages 8-18 years old. Members will accomplish the following learning experiences:

  • Learning how to use basic pottery tools
  • Skills to hand mold pieces
  • Design, plan, and mold one or two pieces described in manual

Step 4:

The items listed below are your project requirements. Select each in turn to access a Word Document. Once you have your document, please save it to your hard drive or other media before entering information.

  1. 4-H Ceramics Project Tip Sheet
  2. 4-H Project E-Record for Family/Consumer Science and General Projects
  3. 4-H Ceramic Technique Sheet Samples >>> 01 | 02 | 03

Colorado State Fair and Local County Fair Exhibit Requirements:

General Exhibit Requirements:

Unit 1 Glazes
Exhibit will consist of the following:

1. Completed e-record presented in a sturdy binder/notebook.

2. Completed two learning projects with information listed on the Specific Project Information page in the e-record.

3. On the page titled Specific Project Information, please record at least 3 technique sheets, for the three new skills learned. The technique sheet should have enough information included so the exhibitor or other persons would be able to make a project very similar by following the instructions. You should have a technique sheet with each piece you exhibit. The technique sheet should include:

a.) a list of all tools and brushes used. Sizes should be included if applicable.
b.) a list of brand name, number and colors used.
c.) a list of steps:

  1. If the piece was bisque fired before application of color and to what cone size or temperature.
  2. How the color/colors were applied and number of coats. The cones size or temperature the color/colors were fired.
  3. A list of other products used, such as decals, overglazes, or any other items used.

4. One piece or set using any one of the techniques described in the member manual.

Unit 2 Underglazes
Exhibit will consist of the following:

1. Completed e-record presented in a sturdy binder/notebook.

2. Completed two learning projects with information listed on the Specific Project Information page.

3. On the page titled Specific Project Information, please record at least 3 technique sheets, for the three new skills learned. The technique sheet should have enough information included so the exhibitor or other persons would be able to make a project very similar by following the instructions. You should have a technique sheet with each piece you exhibit. The technique sheet should include:

a.) a list of all tools and brushes used. Sizes should be included if applicable.
b.) a list of brand name, number and colors used.
c.) a list of steps:

  1. If the piece was bisque fired before application of color and to what cone size or temperature.
  2. How the color/colors were applied and number of coats. The cones size or temperature the color/colors were fired.
  3. A list of other products used, such as decals, overglazes, or any other items used.

4. One piece or set showing techniques learned.

Unit 3 Overglazes
Exhibit will consist of the following:

1. Completed e-record presented in a sturdy binder/notebook.

2. Completed two learning projects with information listed on the Specific Project Information page.

3. On the page titled Specific Project Information, please record at least 3 technique sheets, for the three new skills learned. The technique sheet should have enough information included so the exhibitor or other persons would be able to make a project very similar by following the instructions. You should have a technique sheet with each piece you exhibit. The technique sheet should include:

a.) a list of all tools and brushes used. Sizes should be included if applicable.
b.) a list of brand name, number and colors used.
c.) a list of steps:

  1. If the piece was bisque fired before application of color and to what cone size or temperature.
  2. How the color/colors were applied and number of coats. The cones size or temperature the color/colors were fired.
  3. A list of other products used, such as decals, overglazes, or any other items used.

4. One piece or set showing techniques learned.

Unit 4 Unfired Finishes
Exhibit will consist of the following:

1. Completed e-record and ceramic supplement presented in a sturdy binder/notebook.

2. Completed two learning projects with information listed on the Specific Project Information page.

3. On the page titled Specific Project Information, please record at least 3 technique sheets, for the three new skills learned. The technique sheet should have enough information included so the exhibitor or other persons would be able to make a project very similar by following the instructions. You should have a technique sheet with each piece you exhibit. The technique sheet should include:

a.) a list of all tools and brushes used. Sizes should be included if applicable.
b.) a list of brand name, number and colors used.
c.) a list of steps:

  1. If the piece was bisque fired before application of color and to what cone size or temperature.
  2. How the color/colors were applied and number of coats. The cones size or temperature the color/colors were fired.
  3. A list of other products used, such as decals, overglazes, or any other items used.

4. One piece or set showing techniques learned.

Unit 5 Porcelain Dolls
Exhibit will consist of the following:

1. Completed e-record presented in a sturdy binder/notebook.

2. On the page titled Specific Project Information, please record at least 3 technique sheets, for the three new skills learned. The technique sheet should have enough information included so the exhibitor or other persons would be able to make a project very similar by following the instructions. You should have a technique sheet with each piece you exhibit. The technique sheet should include:

a.) a list of all tools and brushes used. Sizes should be included if applicable.
b.) a list of brand name, number and colors used.
c.) a list of steps:

  1. If the piece was bisque fired before application of color and to what cone size or temperature.
  2. How the color/colors were applied and number of coats. The cones size or temperature the color/colors were fired.
  3. A list of other products used, such as decals, overglazes, or any other items used.

3. One piece or set showing techniques learned.

Unit 6 - Hand Construction with Stoneware
Exhibit will consist of the following:

1. Completed e-record presented in a sturdy binder/notebook.

2. On the page titled Specific Project Information, please record at least 3 technique sheets, for the three new skills learned. The technique sheet should have enough information included so the exhibitor or other persons would be able to make a project very similar by following the instructions. You should have a technique sheet with each piece you exhibit. The technique sheet should include:

a.) a list of all tools and brushes used. Sizes should be included if applicable.
b.) a list of brand name, number and colors used.
c.) a list of steps:

  1. If the piece was bisque fired before application of color and to what cone size or temperature.
  2. How the color/colors were applied and number of coats. The cones size or temperature the color/colors were fired.
  3. A list of other products used, such as decals, overglazes, or any other items used.

3. One piece or set showing techniques learned.

Additional Information

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Updated Friday, February 08, 2008.