Here’s a sneak peek at the glaze test tiles I fired last weekend for my friend & tile-maker Mike Skiersch. Some successes. Some not so good. Some still a little scratchy… and a few typos!!! I did like two of them a lot… hopefully he’ll share these recipes when they’re more fully tested and ready to be put into production!

When my tile-making friend Mike Skiersch found out I was firing a cone six kiln… he was eager to “squeeze in” a few new glaze test tiles! Little did I know they would be so large, so perfect and so many. No worries… I’m always anxious to see some new glazes. I just hope a couple of these new recipes work out perfect… and that Mike is willing to share the recipes with me?!

So my glaze cart is filling up nicely. Glazed & wadded… filling half of my studio cart. Now I’ll turn the cart around and fill the other side. A full cart pretty much equals a full soda kiln… give or take a few pots here & there!

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Might be a smidge harder to glaze “in the dark”…
but the dramatic task lighting I’ve set up sure does make for some nice contrasts
when the mugs start lining up!

Painting & filling the stamped impressions with a dark tenmoku glaze, and then wiping off the high surfaces to reveal a great contrast for the stamped design. I kinda feel like The Karate Kid… glaze on, glaze off… glaze on, glaze off.

This week in my pottery class, I showed them some more interesting glaze techniques, tricks & possibilities… including everyone’s favorite novelty… BUBBLE GLAZING!!! Just a little dishwashing soap in your glaze and a plastic straw to get it going! And when the bubbles pop, you’ve got a pretty sweet glaze application!

And when the bubbles pop, you’ve got a pretty sweet glaze application!

So now the newest GHOULS are all underglazed and getting a sprayed-on top-coat of a low-fire clear glaze. Hoping that all of the painted colors will be brighter, saturated & whimsically colorful after firing!

Stacked, packed and ready for this weekend’s art fair in Glenview!
Join us this Saturday & Sunday for ART IN THE GARDEN..
it’s a great little grassroots art fair with some talented friends showing, playing
& collaborating together!

Click here to check us out at www.grassrootsartfair.com

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So last night in my pottery class, we discussed some more advanced glazing options. Like layered combos, stains, oxides, wood ash, wax resist, etc. It’s a bit overwhelming when you start to see the infinite possibilities to finish your pieces. My students were tracking along pretty well, but questioning what the results might look like. Sure, we have some double-dipped combo test tiles, but it’s a LOT different on  a real piece.

So… I completely overwhelmed them when I brought out all of the combo glazed test cups we made last session with my students. A LOT of glaze information to take in. Some good. Some not so much. But great information & inspiration… even if it is all a bit overwhelming.

Goin’ green for Mugshot Monday! With a drippy green glaze combo
and the succulents that survived the steamin’ hot art fair this weekend.