Glaze

frozen clay and glaze

Frozen Clay and Glaze – Can it Be Used and What to Do?

If you work in a cold pottery studio or workshop you may have encountered the problem of frozen clay and glaze. When exposed to frigid temperatures, such as the winter climate, clay and glazes tend to freeze. This is because they have moisture as a component. Moisture, which is basically water, expands to form crystals…
painting mugs

Painting Mugs – 11 Amazing Ways to Paint Your Own Mug

Painting mugs is a great way to personalize gifts.  It can be a great way to express your creativity, whatever your age.  And it’s a fun way to keep children entertained when they are at a loose end.  There are lots of different ways to paint your own mugs.  But if it’s not something you’ve…
what is the second firing of clay called

What is the Second Firing of Clay Called? – Glaze or Glost?

The most common practice when making ceramics is to fire pottery twice.  The first fire is the bisque or biscuit fire.  But what is the second firing of clay called? The second firing of clay is called the glaze fire.  After the first fire, liquid glaze is applied to the bisque fired pottery.  This is…
what is glaze firing

What is Glaze Firing? – All About Glaze Firing Pottery

Firing clay is the process of turning it from clay into ceramic material.  Most of the time pottery is fired twice, and the second firing is called glaze firing.  So, what exactly is glaze firing? The first step in firing pottery is the bisque fire when clay turns into ceramic ware.  After the bisque fire,…
can you refire underfired glaze

Can you Refire Underfired Glaze? – Rescuing Underfired Pottery

A lot of heart and soul can go into making your pottery.  So, it can be gutting when your glaze doesn’t turn out how you wanted it to.  If your glaze is underfired, you might be wondering if you can do anything to salvage your work.  The question is, can you refire underfired glaze to…
how long should glaze dry before firing

How Long Should Glaze Dry Before Firing? Drying Pottery Glaze

When I first started glazing my own pottery, I wondered how long should glaze dry before firing?  I was well aware that greenware can explode in the kiln if it is fired when damp.  But what about glazed bisque ware?  Glaze contains water, so does that water need to be given time to evaporate before…
add water to glaze to make it thinner

Can you Add Water to Glaze to Make it Thinner? – Thinning Glaze

With time pottery glaze can dry out.  The water content will evaporate and the glaze can either become too thick to apply.  Or it can even become a bit hard and crusty, like old paint.  The question is, can you add water to glaze to make it thinner?  After all, glaze, particularly commercially made glaze,…
mix different types of glaze

Can you Mix Different Types of Glaze? – Combining Glazes

I sometimes find myself in a position where I don’t have the exact color glaze that I want.  Recently I wondered if I could mix different types of glaze together and what would happen.  So, I looked into the question of combining glazes and this is what I have found…. You can mix different types…
can you put low fire glaze on high fire clay

Can You Put Low Fire Glaze on High Fire Clay? Will it Work?

If you are learning about glazing, there is a lot to take on board.  There is a large range of different glazes to choose from.  And like clay, you can get low fire, mid fire, and high fire glazes.  You may have been wondering if you can put low fire glaze on high fire clay. …
can you wash glaze off bisque pottery

Can You Wash Glaze off Bisque Pottery? Washing Glaze off Unfired Pots

There is lots of scope for things to go wrong when you apply glaze to pottery.  You can mess up your glaze design, apply the glaze too thick, or even apply the wrong glaze.  If your glazing has gone wrong, you’re probably wondering if you can wash glaze off bisque pottery and start again.  Fortunately,…
how to get glaze of kiln shelves

How to Get Glaze Off Kiln Shelves? – Easy Glaze Removal

Finding that your glaze has run off your pottery and onto the kiln shelf is not unusual.  Especially if you are just learning to glaze your potter, or using an unfamiliar glaze.  Most potters have a kiln shelf or two that have been damaged by running glaze.  In practice, it is not ideal – for…
Is pottery glaze toxic

Is Pottery Glaze Toxic? Facts Versus Myths Explained

Learning to use glaze is an exciting and creative time.  Glaze can create an unending number of effects and finishes.  However, you may have come across alarming information that glaze can be toxic.  You may be handling glaze in its powdered form or a liquid state.  Either way, it’s important to ask the question, is…