Question:

What is a glaze?

Copper Green

Copper Green
Cone 03
Oxidation
Kaolin 14
Dolomite 8
Potash Feldspar 64
Whiting 16
Tin Oxide 4
Copper Oxide 1.2

Matt Textured Rust

Helens Matt Textured Rust: Cone 5 Neutral Gas Atmosphere. Not suitable for tableware *See Disclaimer*
Potash Feldspar 15
Nephelene Syenite 20
Dolomite 25
Kaolin 5
Silica 15
Barium Carbonate 5
Copper Carbonate 2

High/Low fire-Your choice

Let's consider the pros and cons of high fired glazes versus low fired glazes: Pottery fired to Cone 10 or higher is generally safe for food. As long as the clay has been fired to Cone 10 and vitrified, it should be safe from bacteria. Low fired pots can potentially capture bacteria in cracks in the glaze or clay body since it's not vitrified. So, if you are making utilitarian pottery to be used with food, you need to use a high fired clay body and glaze. Some potters prefer stoneware glazes because the variations are so diverse. You could spend a lifetime experimenting with some glazes. You don't have to know chemistry to be a fine potter, but to really progress with glazing you need to learn as much as you can. Begin looking at glaze recipes in terms of the role of each ingredient. Notice which oxides are in the glazes you are using. You quickly learn patterns. Each compound has a job to do in a glaze. Learn about the chemicals and you can begin to control the results.

Middle red with darker spots

Middle red with darker spots: It can be a very pleasant semi glossy red glaze with strikingly darker spots. But not always! 1260oC with half an hour of oxidation at top temperature. Not too thick or it will be a dull redbrown.
potash feldspar NR 35,40
petalite 5,20
quartz (flint) 26,40
china clay 1,70
borax frit MOK-G3 17,10
whiting 13,10
tin oxide 1,10
copper carbonate 0,53

Royal Blue

Royal Blue
Cone 10
Oxidation or Reduction
Nephelene Syenite 30
Whiting 15
Talc 5
Zinc Oxide 5
Ball Clay 10
Silica 200# 35
Cobalt Oxide 1

A Disclaimer

Disclaimer: It is the responsibility of anybody using the above glaze recipies to be informed of glaze dangers and to ensure the proper safety precautions are met when mixing and using glazes. In general glaze components marked 'toxic!' should not be used for tableware. Other, not marked ingredients may be harmful to health on skin contact or if ingested. Frits may contain Lead Bisilicate. General safety precautions for ceramic materials apply. Contact a supplier, lecturer or professional if in doubt. Neither Lifetips.com nor its Guru, Jan, will bear any responsibility for incorrectly used glazes and/or ingredients, nor for any damages due to unexpected glaze results. All glazes should be tested before use.

To get glaze to adhere

To get glaze to adhere to a porcelain piece, it is necessary to use high-fire glaze

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Sherril Steele-Carlin