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Glazes And Finishes
Curious how potters create those smoky, fire-kissed finishes using saggar firing? In this hands-on guide, I’ll walk you through the exact tools, materials, and techniques I use in my studio to get bold surface effects from saggar-fired pots. You’ll also get a peek inside my latest e-book, Saggar Firing Secrets, now available. Whether you’re firing … Read more
Salt glazing is a pottery technique where salt is added to a kiln during firing, creating a distinctive, glassy surface. The salt reacts with silica in the clay, forming a glossy, orange-peel texture, often with color variations. It’s, a fascinating chapter in the story of ceramic artistry, stands out for its distinctive charm. This method, … Read more
There are a range of issues that can arise during the pottery-making process. Clay and Glaze Defects Pottery often manifests as pinholes, blisters, crazing, shivering, and even color inconsistencies, affecting the final product’s aesthetics and functionality. Recognizing and addressing these imperfections is crucial for producing high-quality ceramics. Clay and Glaze Defects can be a potter’s … Read more
It’s a colored ceramic material applied to bisqueware pottery. To use underglaze, prepare the bisque-fired piece and ensure it is clean. Apply the underglaze using a brush, sponge, stencil, or other techniques to create desired patterns. Once dry, apply a clear or tinted glaze, then fire the pottery to seal the underglaze and create a … Read more
To glaze pottery, choose the right glaze, prepare the pottery, and apply the glaze in a smooth, even coat. Fire the pottery in a kiln to fuse properly the glaze to the clay body. Take safety precautions to avoid exposure to hazardous particles and dispose of glaze materials safely. Get Your Glaze On! I was … Read more
It involves applying a new layer of glaze to a piece of pottery to restore its appearance, functionality, or value. It can be done on both new and old pottery, but it requires skill and expertise to be done properly and effectively. It can be beneficial in several ways, but also has risks and requires … Read more
It’s fine-grained clay slip used in pottery to create a smooth, polished surface on ceramic ware. The name comes from the Latin “terra” (earth) & “sigillata” (sealed), referencing its ability to create a sealed surface. It is made by separating the fine particles of clay from coarser ones through a process of settling & decanting, … Read more
I do not recommend to glaze unfired clay. Glaze is a type of coating that applies to clay after firing. If glaze applies to unfired clay, the moisture in the clay can cause the glaze to crack or blister during the firing process, ruining the piece. It is important to let the clay dry completely … Read more
Glaze should dry completely before firing to avoid cracks and bubbles in the glaze surface. The drying time depends on the thickness of the glaze, humidity, and temperature conditions, but generally it takes anywhere from 12 to 24 hours. It’s best to wait until the glaze is completely dry to the touch before firing to … Read more
Cracks are caused by stress on the clay. Cracks form when parts of the clay pot dry out faster than other parts of the pottery. Clay dries at different rates because of the various thicknesses of the clay pot.