Question:

How do I apply glaze?

Salt and pepper shaker holes

It is often difficult to keep salt and pepper shaker holes in the top from filling in with glaze during the firing. Next time insert short pieces of toothpick in each hole and put them in the kiln that way. The wooden toothpick will burn out during the firing but will help to keep holes clear of glaze.

Clear Satin Matt

Clear Satin Matt: Cone 4 - 7 Oxidation
Ferro Frit 4508 50.0
Potash Feldspar 20.0
Ball Clay 20.0
Magnesium Carbonate 10.0

Clear to Milky Crackle

Clear to Milky Crackle: Cone 4 - 6 Oxidation
Lithium Carbonate (Toxic!) 25.0
Gerstly Borate 25.0
Zinc Oxide (calcined) 5.0
Calcium Flouride 5.0
Silica 25.0
Bentonite 2.0
Not suitable for tableware!

Satin Mottled Eucalyptus

Helens Satin Mottled Eucalyptus: Cone 5 Neutral Gas Atmosphere. Comment: Results in muddy color in electic kiln. Not suitable for tableware!
Nephelene Syenite 40
Whiting 25
Ball Clay 25
Lithium Carbonate 5
Silica 5
Copper Carbonate 2

Coat marker

A lead pencil is a handy tool for keeping track of the number of coats of glaze you have on a piece. You can write which step you are on over the glaze and the marks will fire out.

Firing reds

The red family of glazes is easily contaminated and requires more venting and a faster firing schedule.

To avoid pitting and pinholes

To avoid pitting and pinholes in your glaze, be sure that your greenware is free of dust before applying glaze. A damp sponge will help to do the job.

Glazes coming out with a grainy surface,

If you have a problem with glazes coming out with a grainy surface, you may be applying them too thin. The best way to correct this problem is to warm piece slightly and apply another coat, then re-fire to proper cone.

Recipe: Aqua Blue Dry Glaze

Aqua Blue Dry Glaze
Cone 2 - 4
Oxidation
Nephelene Syenite 40.0
Barium Carbonate (Toxic!) 30.0
Ball Clay 15.0
Zinc Oxide 5.0
Black Copper Oxide 4.0
Comment: Fast cooling helps preserve color.

Spill base description

Spill base is that class of glaze that is applied over, under or between application of other coloured glazes, causing them to blend and form spill effects when fired.

Recipe: Matt Clear

Matt Clear E/W
Cone 04
Oxidation
Potash Feldspar 46.8
Silica 10.0
Colemanite 11.0
Whiting 13.0
Barium Carbonate (Toxic!) 13.0
Zinc Oxide 4.0
Not suitable for tableware!

Brush Loading

For best results in glazing, be sure to load brush well with colour.

Brilliant Blue Satin

Helens Satin Brilliant Blue Cone 6-7
Neutral Gas Atmosphere
Potash Feldspar 15
Nephelene Syenite 20
Zinx Oxide 20
Silica 5
Barium Carbonate 40
Cobalt Oxide 0.7
Not suitable for tableware!

For special effects

For special effects, you can control how the crystals will run on a piece by actually placing them in certain areas. If, for example, you want the crystals to run down only from the top rim of a piece, simply apply the normal number of coats of glaze and add just enough crystals around the top rim to obtain the desired effect.

Using slips/oxide washes with glazes

Thin slips and oxide washes can be used to decorate a piece by applying them directly to the bisque or on top of a glaze. Clear, celedon, and some light opaque glazes can be used over the colorants. Be careful not to get oxides and slips on too thick--the application should be more like water colors than house paint. The colorants are mostly quite strong, and if they are
thick the overlying glaze is likely to crawl. Decorations can be brushed, stamped with foam stamps or sponges, spattered, sponged into textures, silk screened...

Opalescent glaze description

An opalescent glaze has a milky, translucent, sometimes bluish sheen.

Liquid Glazes: commercial

Commercial Liquid Glazes: You can purchase commercial glazes and underglazes in liquid form, which are usually formulated for brushing. All you need to apply the glaze is a brush. Some glazes are difficult to brush on smoothly, you will see brush marks. Others will melt enough to erase the brush marks.

Maturity

All glazes need to be fired to maturity to achieve the desired results. The temperature for maturation varies with the glaze formulation.

Greyed red or orange family glazes

You can get greyed red or orange family glazes by firing your pieces too hot. Temperature should be at a 06-07 for earthenware.

Thinning glaze

Glaze that has thickened can be thinned to the proper consistency with the addition of water.

Dipping method

If you have a lot of pieces that you want to glaze, you can try the dipping method. There a re special glazes designed for this which are concentrated to cover in one coat.

Second firing

By firing a piece a second time, you can create different effects with your antique, art and some specialty glazes.

Clear Gloss 4

Clear Gloss: Cone 6 Oxidation
Volcanic Ash 63.7
Ferro Frit 3134 27.3
Koalin 9.0
Bentonite 1.0

glazes coming out with a grainy surface,

If you have a problem with glazes coming out with a grainy surface, you may be applying them too thin. The best way to correct this problem is to warm piece slightly and apply another coat, then re-fire to proper cone.

Embossing glaze

Any glaze may be used over embossing glaze as long as the embossing glaze has been fired first.
Embossing glazes are opaque and, if used in too wide and area, can crack in the firing.
Embossing glazes do not flow in the firing process.

Ceramics Frequently Asked Questions

What precautions should I take in the studio?

How do I decorate my ware?

How do I apply Lustres?

How do I market my ceramics?

How do I apply glaze?

How do I market my ceramics?

How do I fire porcelain?

How do I cast slip?

How do I fire an electric kiln?

How do I apply glaze?

What are some stoneware glazes?

What Precautions when using dry ingredients?

How do I apply glaze?

How do I apply opaque stains ?

How do I wedge clay?

How do I apply Stains?

What is Lustre?

What should I keep in mind when designing my studio?

How do I make a coil pot

How do I decorate my ware?

How do I make molds?

What is Clay?

How do I apply glaze?

What is a decal?

How do I clean Greenware?

How do I add texture?

How do I centre my clay?

What tools do I need to start potting?

How do I start a business?

How do I best promote myself and my work?

How do I load my kiln?

What are ceramics

Where do I start?

How do I make a simple mold?

How do I fire Decals?

How can I make a mould?

What are some life quotes?

What is underglaze?

What is Porcelain

How do I care for my brushes?

How do I care for my molds?

What is Celadon?

What is the Tea Ceremony?

How do I care for my kiln?

How do I apply one-strokes?

What safety aspect should I keep in mind when working with glazes?

How do I apply Lustres?

What is Overglaze?

What are oxides?

How do I fire Bisque?

Where do I begin?

What should I remember when firing the kiln?

How do I clean brushes?

How do I slump/sag glass?

How do I apply overglazes?

How do I best publicise my business?

How do I make a simple plaster mold?

How do I care for my brushes?

Are stains safe.

How do I fire overglazes/lustres?

What is a reduction firing?

How do I doccument my work?

How do I create fine feature lines?

How and when sholuld I apply underglazes?

How do I make molds?

What is an engobe?

Are they Water or oil base stains?

How do I hold my brush?

How do I store my Materials?

Are any two kilns are exactly alike?

What is mould in clay?

What is a Pyrometric Cone?

Do I need a cone?

how do I throw clay?

Can I use sand to stop glaze running onto shelves

How do I test my glazes?

How do I apply China Paints?

Does greenware need to be dry before loading?

What are some life quotes?

What is the history of the Potter´s Wheel?

How do I fire lustre?

What is a glaze?

How do I fire lustres?

What is The History of the Way of Tea

What is Celadon (Cheong-Ja) - the Stuff of Kings?

How do I dry overglazes?

What is a glaze?

How do I Burnish?

What is an overglaze marbleizer?

Is there a trick toThrowing Porcelain?

Have you some lovely words?

What is Earthenware?

What is a glaze?

What are some stoneware glazes?

How do I paint Eyes?

How do I Recycle Clay

How do I attach wet pieces?

How do I make a teapot?

How do I make a plaster mold

What are some good tools for decoration?

What is Kiln Wash?

How do I glaze my ware?

How do I slipcast ceramics?

What are some life quotes?

how do I dry my ware?

How do I fire my ware?

How do I apply texture to my piece?

What is a Glost firing?

How do I make my own glazes?

What are some change quotes?

How do I store my tools?

What is the history of Raku?

What is Paperclay

What is a crackle glaze?

Do I need kiln wash for bisque?

How do I refire a glazed piece ?

What is reduction?

What must I remember when Raku firing?

How do I add decoration to my ceramics?

How do I care for my elements?

Does over firing produce poor colour in coloured glaze?s

How do I use my brush?

How do I care for my brushes?

How do I recycle clay?

What are some success quotes?

What is a glaze?

How do I clean Greenware?

How do I make coils?

What are some Black Firing Tips and Tricks?

What is the safest way to pack my ceramics?

What are Formulated clays?

How do I do a reduction firing?

automatic kiln sitter, should I trust it?

How do I care for my molds?

What are some tips for draining a mold?

What is a decal?

What safety measures should I take with Raku Firing?

How do I attach a bat to the wheelhead?

What tools do I need for ceramics

What are suggested plate clay weights?

What do I need to get started?

What are observation holes ?

What tools do I need to make a coil pot

How do I fire ceramic bisque ?

How do I recycle batches of clay quickly

How do I care for my molds?

How do I fire my ware?

How do I roll a slab?

How do I fire my kiln?

What is the correct firing time?

How to I prepare and make slabs?

What is Leatherhard ?

What materials are toxic in Ceramics?

How do I fire glaze?

What are slabs?

What is Korean celadon?

How do I fire Raku?

How do I make paperclay?

Can Crackle glazes be used for food?

How do I avoid S cracks in wheel thrown ware

how do I apply glazes?

How do I get the press onside?

How do I open-up the clay?

How do I fire Reds/Yellows?

What is a glaze?

How do I fire Ceramic glaze ?

Can I repair my kiln?

What are the Approx. firing times?

Ho do I avoid pitting and pinholes?

How do I make throwing ribs?

What is Stoneware?

How do I care for my molds?

How do I apply kiln wash?

What is a Stain?

What is a mold?

How do I decorate my ceramics?

How do I remove mold lines?

How do I cut the spare?

What is a ´good teapot´?

How do I Bisque fire in an electric kiln?

How do I keep a kiln log?

How do I paint Eyes?

How do I decorate my ceramics?

How do I apply crackle glazes ?

What is Primary clay?

What are some easy projects?

What is Thermal Shock?

What effects can I achieve with a brush?

What are cones?

How do I Drain small pour holes?

What is Glaze?

What is Raku?

How do I remove a stuck lid?

How do I glaze my ware?

How do I make Egyptian Paste?

How do I apply texture?

What is overglaze/lustre?

Must my kiln be level?

How do I make my own brushes?

What clay should I use?

How do I apply a decal?

How do I clean my greenware?

What is Agate ware?

How do I care for my new Kiln?

How do I make stamps?

How do I load my kiln?

How long do I fire bisque?

How do I promote my work?

can I draw directly onto a piece?

How do I increase my profile?

How do I fire different bodies?

what is porcelain?

How do I make test tiles?

What is Earthenware?

What is the humming in my new kiln?

What should I remember when firing a new kiln?

How do I mend Greenware?

how do I get the best results in glazing?

How do I prevent dirt on my greenware?

How do I accomodate Clay Storage in my studio?

How do I fire Larger pieces ?

How do I prevent sagging during firing?

How do I brush one-strokes?

How do I load my brush for applying underglaze?

How do I mend molds?

Why should I use pottery plaster?

What is the coat coverage ?

How do I prevent glazes from settling ?

How do I fire lace figurines?

What is Albany slip?

How do I create a woodtone effect?

How do I light my Gas Kiln?

What is a pyrometer?

What is a Binder?

What is a glaze?

What are some Doing well Quotes?

What is Slip casting?

What is a Rib?

What is a Bisque?

How do I care for my elements?

How do I fire porcelain?

How do I store my throwing tools?

What is the History of tea?

What is the history of Ceramics?

Why do I get black spots in my glaze?

How do I fire flat pieces?

What is Terra-Sigillata?

What are Pyrometric Cones?

What is Iron Oxide?

How do I load my kiln for a glaze firing?





Not finding the advice and tips you need on this Ceramics Tip Site? Request a Tip Now!


Guru Spotlight
Susan Sayour