If you wish to learn more about ceramic glazes but are afraid it’s all just chemistry, this is the class for you! Learn the difference between a clay body and a glaze and how they transform into a strong fired body with a protective glass glaze. Lots of things can, and do, go wrong during the glaze firing. Some faults are easy to understand as to when and why they happen and how to prevent them. Others are quite a bit more complex. We will cover a wide range of glaze faults (with photos and test tile examples) and discuss troubleshooting techniques to address them. There are sections on “food safe” glazes, “studio and firing best practices”, and “special glazes incorporating faults for artistic purposes”.
The structure of the class is designed to be interactive, blending instructor-led presentations with group activities. Participants are encouraged to bring in their pottery pieces for class analysis and discussion. For those interested in making their own glazes or experimenting with modifications, I have several suggestions to help you on your journey.
We will not be mixing or applying glazes in this class, but we’ll have ample time for Q&A and discussion.