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…
Request from a friend
“Working with clay will humble and excite you all in the same kiln load.” We make pots and ceramic sculpture for many reasons more important than correcting their faults. In some instances the best wo…
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…
Animal Biodiversity: Three Little Teapots
How I Began Investigating Pigs I started by asking myself very basic questions that turned out to be the right ones. Why don’t I see pigs in the fields when I pass by on the train to work? I see cows,…