A pottery wheel is a machine used for the shaping of clay into round ceramic ware, making the clay easier to shape as your hand movements are translated to the whole piece as it spins. The wheel consists of a large, flat, rotating surface, called a wheelhead, which is supported by a central wheel usually made of metal or ceramic, often covered with a soft material, such as felt or rubber, to prevent the clay from sticking to it.

There are many different tools used in ceramics, each with its own specific purpose. Some of the most common tools include: sponges, ribs, needle tools, wire tools, wood knives, and trimming tools. Every tool contributes in its own way to a part of the process of throwing and trimming the clay to ultimately create the final product.

A kiln is a thermally insulated chamber that produces temperatures sufficient to complete some process, such as hardening, drying, or chemical changes for glazing. In ceramics, kilns have been used for centuries to fire clay objects. Firing is the process of heating clay to a high temperature, which causes chemical changes in the clay that make it hard and durable.

You can think of glazes as the "paint" that gives the color to every piece. Glaze is a glassy coating applied to the surface of ceramic ware to make it waterproof, food-safe, and more decorative. Glazes are made from a variety of materials, including silica, alumina, and metallic oxides. They are applied to the surface of the pottery in a liquid state and then fired in a kiln. When fired, the glaze melts and fuses to the surface of the pottery, creating a smooth, hard, and water-resistant coating that can be used to create a variety of effects including color, texture, and shine.

When clay is fired in a kiln, it undergoes a chemical change that makes it hard and durable. It is also a relatively strong material, so it can withstand high temperatures. Some clays are better suited for certain types of ceramic ware than others. For example, porcelain clay is a very fine-grained clay that is used to make delicate and beautiful objects, while earthenware clay is a more coarse-grained clay that is used to make functional objects such as pots and bowls. The role of clay in ceramics is essential. Without clay, it would not be possible to create the wide variety of beautiful and functional objects that we enjoy today.