Simply put, glazes are glass. Broken down to its original state, it is silica/glass powder, suspended in a liquid with chemicals added to create multitude of special effects and colors. When subjected to high heat, these all melt down and blend to create a flowing sheet or coating to whatever they are placed on. When cooled, they are a sheet of glass covering the bisque clay item. 

The higher the sheen and more translucent the finish, the more glass content. The more opaque or less shine, the less glass in the glaze. Glazes range from Matte to High Gloss and Translucent to Opaque. Translucent glazes are sheer and you can see through them, the most translucent being Clear Glaze. Semi-translucent glazes are somewhat sheer, but color settles in crevices creating a denser color. Semi -Opaque, still have a small amount of translucency, but not a lot. Opaque glazes are the most dense and you cannot see through the fired finish. 

All ceramic glazes need to be subjected to the correct temperature heat in order to maximize their color and glass-like appearance. Be sure to follow manufacturer instructions on the labels. 

To read more about Ceramic Glazes, click here. 

March Project: Beautiful Can Be Easy (Photo 1 by JB Klimkiewicz) 

Supplies you will need:  

Suitable greenware vase or box, cleaning tool, natural/sea sponge, glaze brush, wax resist emulsion, Duncan Sandstar Texture Glaze - or similar (color of your choice), Complementary color of glaze. Example shown is an Ivory base with Basket Brown glaze. 

Technique: 

This technique can work on any item but is very striking on plain pieces or items with simple designs. 

Step One - Carefully clean your greenware, removing all seams and blemishes. Wipe down the item with a damp sponge to remove any dust. 

Step Two -  Examine your item and consider an area that you will glaze with the contrasting glaze and leave that area free from application of the Sandstar.  Example, if you have a box, leave the lid or the base unpainted and only work the other part. On a vase (as shown) leave the base or a rim unpainted. With a soft brush that has been dampened with water, apply three smooth coats of Sandstar Texture Glaze over the exterior only of your project. Make sure each coat dries thoroughly between applications. Sandstar Texture glazes are primarily under glazes that have small specks of glaze mixed in it. That is why it can be applied to greenware.  

Step Three - Fire your greenware to cone 04  

Step Four - Dilute a portion of your contrasting glaze about 3 parts glaze to 1 part water. Pour this thinned glaze into the vase or box. Roll the glaze around the inside, covering the entire inside. DO NOT use a brush for this step. Pour off the excess. You can mix the unused thinned glaze with the non-thinned glaze.  

Step Five - Take a natural sea sponge that has been dampened, press it into wax emulsion and then lightly press it on the top of the fired texture glaze area creating a lacy pattern. Let dry (rinse your sponge with warm soapy water). 

Step Six - Apply three coats of your contrast glaze to the exterior of your item including the area with the wax resist, allowing each coat to dry thoroughly. 

Step Seven - Stilt and fire your item to cone 06 

ELEGANT OPTION: (Photo 2 by S Turner) 

Apply Mother of Pearl or similar luster to the entire outside (not the bottom) and re-fire to cone 018

Base is white Satellite Texture Glaze, Clear Glaze, Bead and Mother of Pearl. It is alright to apply the Mother of pearl over the Sandstar as it will fire off  from all but the glaze specks and the other glazes. 

Hot Tip for March 

Pieces that you plan to use for food should be glazed with ‘lead-safe’ glazes which are formulated to meet minimum Federal Standards. 

Upcoming Ceramic Shows for March 2009 

Anoka MN Ceramic Show - 3/13-3/15
Exhibitor’s Assoc Ceramic & Doll Show
www.ceramicdollshows.com 

West TX Ceramic Show - 3/14-3/15
West Central Texas Ceramic Expo
Bettyeed@satx.rr.com 

Kansas City MO Ceramic Show - 3/20-3/21
Exhibitor’s Assoc Ceramic & Doll Show
www.ceramicdollshows.com 

Hillsboro OR Ceramic Show - Pending
Oregon Ceramic Association
Dalin23912@aol.com