Do not try to remove the seam line from greenware all in one pass. It is best to go over the line several times until the line is flush with the rest of your piece.
Sometimes you may come across a piece of greenware that you really like but hesitate to buy it of fear that you will break it whilst cleaning it. You can ask the studio to "Soft Fire" it for you. That is the piece is fired at a low temperature. You will still be able to clean it up, but it will not be so fragile.
Question: What would happen
if I applied glaze to greenware and fired it the same as greenware to an O4
cone?
Answer: You would more than likely be very disappointed with the final
result. Possible defects from firing glaze on greenware include craters (popped
bubbles) greying under the glaze and tiny bubbles in the glaze. The bisq firing
releases gases and moisture from the greenware and if you fire a glaze applied
over the greenware these gases must escape through the glaze. Moisture is present
in the kiln during greenware firing and moisture will often contaminate certain
glaze colours.
Use a soft, dry dusting brush to remove the accumulated clay dust while cleaning greenware. Blowing the dust away can result in the airborne particles contaminating unfired glazes, overglazes and other susceptible products.
A thick sponge cushion is handy for cradling large pieces of greenware during cleaning.
Have you got a computer and wondered what to do with your mouse pad when it wears out and gets tatty or grotty?
Why not use it as a shock absorber for your ceramics. I have found they are great to put under your greenware piece when I am cleaning up, but also nice and firm to hold the piece whilst I am painting. Even if you don't have a computer you could buy a mouse pad - they are quite cheap.
Clay dust accumulated from cleaning greenware can be saved and revitalised for filling pin holes. To fix a pinhole in the greenware surface touch a drop of water to the tiny hole with a small soft brush, blot the water. Then dip water moistened finger in to the clay dust and rub it gently into the pinhole. Allow the area to dry and lightly sand smooth.
You can apply raised designs to wet greenware by using a brush, syringe or eye dropper filled with slip. This can make some interesting designs and patterns.