Potter’s Reduction Diagrams
by Howard T. SawhillPotters have been transforming the color and texture of their pottery for thousands of years by exposing their ware to reducing environments during the kiln firing. Through experience, they’ve learned…
Q&A: Clay Body Absorption
Q: After taking my pots out of the glaze kiln I found they are leaking water. I thought the glaze would seal the pottery.
Protoclay: A Potter’s Inquiry into Fired Granite
This article’s theme outlines two aspects of my adventure of firing granite rocks as if they were very thick stoneware: one aspect covers some techniques/procedures I came upon as I fired the rocks, t…
Cobalt on Trial
by Jeff ZamekCobalt oxide and cobalt carbonate are ceramic raw materials widely used by potters. They are frequently found in glaze and slip formulas contributing, under varied circumstances, a light to dark blue…
The Flavor of Fire: An approach to Flashing in Wood Fired Kilns
Derek Larsen shares the results of his 20 years of obsession and experimentation with atmospheric flashing, or hiiro, achieved in wood-fired anagama kilns.
Q&A: Crystal growth in the same glaze upon cooling.
Q: I am using a cone 9 reduction glaze and every firing produces lighter and darker versions of the same glaze in the kiln. What is the problem with the glaze?