Personally, I love working with both materials. Porcelain and I became acquainted after spending some time with this mischievous material. You need to catch it at the right moment for each phase of the process. Working with clay is always a pleasure; it's softer, more forgiving, and you can adjust it as you shape it, which isn't the case with porcelain. In the language of ceramics, we say that porcelain has a memory. The shape of the porcelain, once corrected, will revert to its original form during firing because of specific particles in its micro-structure, which normally act as reinforcement.

Porcelain and clay are both ceramic materials, but they differ in composition and characteristics. Porcelain is a specific type of ceramic made from fine-grained clay, usually composed of kaolin, feldspar, and quartz. This refined composition gives porcelain its distinctive qualities, including a smooth and translucent appearance, exceptional strength, and the ability to withstand high firing temperatures during the production process. Porcelain is often associated with high-quality tableware, decorative items, and fine china due to its elegant finish and durability.

On the other hand, clay is a broader term that encompasses various types of naturally occurring earthy materials. While porcelain is a type of clay, not all clay is transformed into porcelain. Clay comes in different forms, such as earthenware, stoneware, and terracotta, each with its unique characteristics based on the specific clay minerals present. Earthenware, for example, is fired at lower temperatures and tends to be more porous, making it suitable for pottery and everyday items. Stoneware is fired at higher temperatures than earthenware, resulting in a denser and less porous material often used for durable dinnerware and decorative pieces. Terracotta, another type of clay, is known for its reddish-brown color and is commonly used for flower pots and sculptures.

Porcelain possesses several distinctive characteristics that contribute to its appeal and functionality:

Translucency: Porcelain is known for its semi-translucent quality, allowing a subtle play of light to pass through. This feature gives it a delicate and refined appearance. You can see translucency on  the photos of Martinka bowl.

Strength and Durability: Porcelain is fired at high temperatures, resulting in a dense and hard material. It is remarkably durable, making it suitable for both decorative items and functional tableware.

Resistance to Staining: Porcelain has a non-porous surface, making it resistant to absorbing liquids and, consequently, less prone to staining. This quality is particularly advantageous for items like dinnerware that come in contact with various food and beverages.

Smooth Texture: The fine-grained composition of porcelain lends it a smooth and sleek texture. This contributes to its aesthetic appeal and is often a desirable quality in decorative and tableware items. Check matte Dama vase for example

High Firing Temperature: Porcelain is fired at temperatures exceeding 2,300 degrees Fahrenheit (1,260 degrees Celsius), contributing to its hardness and durability. This high firing temperature also ensures that the clay particles vitrify, creating a dense and impermeable material.

White Appearance: Porcelain typically has a white or creamy color, providing a neutral canvas for intricate designs, patterns, and colorful glazes. This makes it a preferred material for decorative and ornamental pieces.

Suitability for Fine Details: The smooth texture and fine-grained nature of porcelain make it well-suited for intricate designs, intricate patterns, and detailed decorations. This characteristic is often exploited in the creation of high-quality, finely crafted porcelain pieces. My signature detail is curly handle or tendril or twisted handle.