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Pottery and Ceramics GlazeTroubleshooting Cystal GlazesWhen anyone is doing pottery or ceramics and they are introduced to crystal glazes they right away want to make something and put that kind of a glaze on it. |
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No CrystalsIf you aren't getting any crystals, it could be that you need new elements for your kiln. If it takes your kiln longer than an hour to go the last 212° F, you need to get new elements for sure! This is very important fix if you want to fire crystal glazes. Crystalline glazes are very alkaline and leach alumina, among other things from the clay. The longer the glaze has to leach alumina, the stiffer the melt will be and the more impossible it will be for crystals to grow, remember, they have to grow in a flowing liquid. Element will usually last about 30 firings before they need to be changed. Now, the elements are still quite good for firing other things like high-alumina glazes that don't need a soak time. This means that if you're going to do crystalline glazes exclusively, you're going to be changing elements pretty often. If you're still not growing crystals and your elements are changed, the next thing to check is how long are you soaking at the correct temperatures? If you are going to be doing a lot of crystal glaze firing, it would be well worth investing in a pyromerter. If you do have a pyrometer, I want you to know that they lose calibration and sometimes don't even have it to begin with. I grew crystals for years with a pyrometer that read only 90% of the actual temperature. It is amazing that I got any results at all. Look in your local phone directory or on the web for calibration services and have your pyrometer tested. Also, if your pyrometer is older than five years it's probably a good idea to have it recalibrated just as part of your routine maintenance.
Not Enough Glaze Does your stuff look like this? This is the second most common problem and I sometimes make this mistake myself. Crystalline glazes must be applied very thick. Really, really thick. Not quite as thick as ash glazes, but thicker than any other glaze you'll use. The top of a bottle, jar or the rim of a bowl, can stand a layer 2 mm thick. Really! Hard to believe, huh? Remember to put a little less glaze near the bottoms of your pottery, because this glaze will run. Underfiring
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All About Clay The best way of starting out is to take a few lessons. You will probably waste quite a bit in materials when you first get started. Figuring out how to truly make handmade pottery correctly and shape into what you want it to be can be quite an ordeal. The different tools that a normal shop will have can be fun to try. You will soon see which ones you like to use the most and then when you are ready you will know which ones to buy. When you get all set up, just enjoy the
hobby and have fun at it. Some people get pretty
serious and start selling their creations at craft
fairs and small stores, but others just like
to create items for themselves, relatives, and
friends. Whichever kind of handmade pottery you
desire to endeavor, enjoy the hobby and have
fun doing it. |
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