Earthenware Carol Rossman (Cacti) Earthenware is made from either red or white clay and is low-fired leaving it porous. It is used in bake-ware, dinnerware and decorative ware. Baking dishes, pie plates, etc. should be place in a warm, not hot oven and the oven temperature raised to the desire setting for cooking. Because it is porous in nature, it should be hand washed and should not be used in the microwave		Stoneware Anne Soroka (Stoneware) Stoneware is a white, gray or brown high-fired, usually non-porous clay body, which is used in bake-ware, dinnerware and decorative pieces. Stoneware can be washed in the dishwasher, used in the microwave and oven, but not placed on the stove top for cooking. Baking dishes, pie plates, etc. should be placed in a warm, not hot oven and the oven temperature raised to the desire setting for cooking. If dishes are taken from the refrigerator, they should be allowed to come to room temperature before heating in the oven.
Porcelain Ann Campbell (Bowl) Porcelain is a white high-fired, non-porous, sometimes translucent clay body used in making functional and non-functional pieces. Porcelain can be washed in the dishwasher, used in the microwave, and oven, but not placed on the stove top for cooking. Baking dishes, pie plates, etc. should be place in a warm, not hot oven and the oven temperature raised to the desire setting for cooking. If dishes are taken from the refrigerator, they should be allowed to come to room temperature before heating in the oven. Very fine or thin porcelain may crack or get fine craze lines if heated excessively. It is best treated as fine china.		Raku Liz Pansnow (Raku Lantern) Raku is a low-fired process which leaves the clay body porous. It is not usually suitable for use as tableware unless highly glazed with a lead-free glaze. It is also not intended for use in the oven, microwave, or stovetop and it should be hand washed or only dusted. Most raku vases, unless otherwise noted by the maker, are too porous to hold water so an alternative water container must be placed inside. Raku ware is for decorative use only and should be kept out of direct sunlight.
Rosslyn Reed (Smoked-fired vase) Smoke-Fired Smoke-fired pottery is a low-fired process which leaves the clay body very porous. The surface may be waxed to enhance and maintain the smoke colouration on the surface. It should not be used in the oven, microwave or on the stovetop. It should be lightly cleaned with a damp cloth or just dusted. Smoke-fired pieces, unless otherwise noted by the maker, are too porous to hold water so an alternative water container must be placed inside. Smoke-fired ware is for decorative use only and should be kept out of direct sunlight.
Glazes Indera Singh, Irma Hewak, Darlene Benner (Mugs) All glazes on porcelain, stoneware and earthenware pieces are intended for tableware and bake-ware use, unless otherwise specified. High fired glazes, usually used on stoneware and porcelain, becomes part of the clay body during firing and are very durable.		Shino Tony & Sheila Clennell (Shino Reduction) Shino is a term used to describe a high-fired glaze with blushes of iron colouration which is white/gray. It is very durable on stoneware and porcelain.

Barb Sach (Bears) Crackle glazes can be low or high fired. Low-fired crackle glaze, usually on raku is very porous. High fire crackle glaze on oriental ware is very durable.

Louise McCann (Vase) A matt glaze is one that has no shine. The surface may feel a bit rough.

Lou Hanson (Soap Dispenser) A satin glaze has a slight sheen.

Helen Beswick (Lidded Jar) A gloss glaze has a very high sheen.

Ann Sneath (Tulips) Lusters are usually applied over a glaze and re-fired at a low temperature. They are used in ceramic painting and raku to give a rainbow or sheen effect on the surface of the glaze. 18-24 carat gold or silver lustre may be used as decoration on the surface of low or high fire clayware. Lusters are not durable and should be handwashed or dusted. They should be treated the same as fine china.

Vera Tempelmans Plat-Rehill (Shard Bowl with gold laquer) Post firing pigmentation is a non-glaze colourant used on clay after the clay has been fired.

Irma Hewak (Plate) Low and high-fired pottery may be glazed with any of the above types of glazes and lusters.

Teapots Porcelain and stoneware teapots should be warmed with hot water first, before boiling water is poured in to steep the tea. This will prevent possible cracking of the clay body. Teapots are not intended for stovetop use. Lamps Kerosene and oil lamps have been sealed to prevent leakage of the lamp oil through the clay body. It is not advisable to use a kerosene lamp that appears to have oil seeping through the clay body, as it may be highly flammable. Electric lamps must have CSA approved tags on the wiring.

Ann Sneath (Teapot)