Q&A for How to Mend a Crack in Pottery

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  • Question
    What is the best glue for pottery repair?
    Deanna Ranlett
    Pottery & Ceramics Professional
    Deanna Ranlett is a Pottery and Ceramics Professional and the Owner of Mudfire Inc. in Decatur, Georgia. With more than 22 years of experience in the ceramics industry and eight years of experience owning a studio, they specialize in glaze formulation, firing ceramic and pottery pieces, general clay projects, and screen printing for ceramics. Deanna holds a BFA in Ceramic Arts and Ceramics from Georgia State University.
    Pottery & Ceramics Professional
    Expert Answer
    Two-part epoxies are one of the best options out there! If the item is a decorative ceramic piece, you could also use a super glue to repair it.
  • Question
    How can I fix a crack in pottery?
    Natasha Dikareva, MFA
    Ceramics & Sculpting Instructor
    Natasha Dikareva is a San Francisco, California based sculptor, and installation artist. With over 25 years of ceramics, sculpting, and installation experience, Natasha also teaches a ceramic sculpture workshop titled "Adventures in Clay" covering concept development, hand-building techniques, texture, and glazing techniques. Her work has been featured in solo and group exhibitions at the Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts, Abrams Claghorn Gallery, Bloomington Center for the Arts, Maria Kravetz Gallery, and the American Museum of Ceramic Art. She has taught at the University of Minnesota and the American Indian OIC School. She has been awarded the Excellence Award at the 1st World Teapot Competition, Best in Show at the 4th Clay & Glass Biennial Competition, and a Grand Prize at the American Museum of Ceramic Art. Natasha holds an MFA from the University of Minnesota and a BFA from Kiev Fine Arts College.
    Ceramics & Sculpting Instructor
    Expert Answer
    There are different ways to fix a crack in pottery. You can make the crack bigger and then fill it with a mixture of the same clay and some particles of fire clay. Buy magic water to fix cracks in sculptures or use vinegar to repair them.
  • Question
    What are the different types of clay?
    Natasha Dikareva, MFA
    Ceramics & Sculpting Instructor
    Natasha Dikareva is a San Francisco, California based sculptor, and installation artist. With over 25 years of ceramics, sculpting, and installation experience, Natasha also teaches a ceramic sculpture workshop titled "Adventures in Clay" covering concept development, hand-building techniques, texture, and glazing techniques. Her work has been featured in solo and group exhibitions at the Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts, Abrams Claghorn Gallery, Bloomington Center for the Arts, Maria Kravetz Gallery, and the American Museum of Ceramic Art. She has taught at the University of Minnesota and the American Indian OIC School. She has been awarded the Excellence Award at the 1st World Teapot Competition, Best in Show at the 4th Clay & Glass Biennial Competition, and a Grand Prize at the American Museum of Ceramic Art. Natasha holds an MFA from the University of Minnesota and a BFA from Kiev Fine Arts College.
    Ceramics & Sculpting Instructor
    Expert Answer
    There are different types of clay depending on their firing temperature. Earthenware is a low-temperature clay, and mid-range clays are known as stoneware. Porcelain is a high fire range clay.
  • Question
    How can I choose clay?
    Natasha Dikareva, MFA
    Ceramics & Sculpting Instructor
    Natasha Dikareva is a San Francisco, California based sculptor, and installation artist. With over 25 years of ceramics, sculpting, and installation experience, Natasha also teaches a ceramic sculpture workshop titled "Adventures in Clay" covering concept development, hand-building techniques, texture, and glazing techniques. Her work has been featured in solo and group exhibitions at the Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts, Abrams Claghorn Gallery, Bloomington Center for the Arts, Maria Kravetz Gallery, and the American Museum of Ceramic Art. She has taught at the University of Minnesota and the American Indian OIC School. She has been awarded the Excellence Award at the 1st World Teapot Competition, Best in Show at the 4th Clay & Glass Biennial Competition, and a Grand Prize at the American Museum of Ceramic Art. Natasha holds an MFA from the University of Minnesota and a BFA from Kiev Fine Arts College.
    Ceramics & Sculpting Instructor
    Expert Answer
    First, you should decide what you want to make with the clay. Think whether you are going to use it for artwork like making sculptures or for making pots. The clay that is good for throwing on the wheel may not work for making large outside sculptures. After that, you can choose the clay and clay formula. You can find the clay formulas in the ceramics monthly magazine. You can even buy commercial clay. They specify which clay is suitable for wheel throwing and which is good for building a sculpture.
  • Question
    How can I fix a potted plant's cracks?
    Community Answer
    You could try and use super glue. Leave it to dry for a day and hopefully it will not break if you are careful.
  • Question
    How can I mend tiny cracks at the tip of a ceramic cup?
    Community Answer
    You can use super glue and a toothpick to seal it up.
  • Question
    How can I hide a crack in my pottery if I can't mend it?
    Community Answer
    You could paint over it or face it towards a wall so that no one could see it.
  • Question
    How can I seal the bottom of a coffee cup to stop it from leaking when there don't seem to be holes in it?
    Community Answer
    Get clay from any craft store, thin it out to a paste with water, and place it where the water is leaking!
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