Glazing Refresh

Professor Deanna Clyne 

I am going to walk you through the journey of glaze. This week in class we went over the different types of glazes we use in the studio. After the pot is completely dry it is ready to be bisque fired. Once it is bisque fired it is ready for the application of glaze. Every professor has their own recipes for glazes and rules. Our professor went over the rules with us on Wednesday. Get all of the pieces you will be glazing for the day, brushes, newspapers, wax resist, glazes, stir sticks, sponges, and a cup of water. Lay out the newspaper on the table space you are working on, and set up your station.  Once your station is all set up, wipe all of your pieces down with a damp sponge. We do this to remove any dust, and clean the surface for the glaze to adhere to. Work all of your pieces like any assembly line. Next is the wax resist to the bottom of your pieces. This is so no glaze sticks to the kiln shelf, which is a horrible thing! Open the glaze container and stir; you will continue to stir for a long time. The glaze should be the same consistency all the way around. That is when you will know when you are done stirring. Glaze can be applied by several methods but I prefer to dip my pieces into a container of glaze. Next, using dipping tongs the piece is totally submerged in glaze, lifted out and site aside until it dries. I typically count about six seconds. Where I put the wax resist there will be no glaze.  I then clean up my pieces and set in the kiln room for my professor to load in the kiln.