Q&A: Salt Firing Substitutes
by Jeff ZamekQ: Can I substitute sodium bicarbonate for sodium carbonate in my soda firing kiln?
Q&A: Glaze Bubbles
Q: Why does my fired glaze have bubbles? A: When working in ceramics long enough you will eventually encounter some technical defect based on a raw materials composition or firing cycle. Often upon in…
Q&A: Dull Glaze Colors
by Jeff ZamekQ: I did not have enough pots to fill the glaze kiln. Why are my glaze colors muted and with rough surface textures? A: There happens to be more than one answer to this question. Multiple causes for c…
Controlled Cracking
As a potter of 30+ years, I’ve always pushed to refine my craft and strive for wheel thrown perfection. Not too unlike life, perfection is a hopeless pursuit. We all have cracks, but there is beauty i…
Bagwall Goblins: Detritus and Clay
I used to, and perhaps still do, call them ‘Bagwall Goblins’. If anyone reading this has ever fired a kiln with a bagwall between the inner sanctum and the burners, the goblins are those little bits o…