Lgeese@aol.com on mon 29 apr 96
Ron -
Are you referring to the "Cream Breaking Red" glaze?
You also make a reference to the importance of glaze calculation. I've
always felt somewhat lacking in this department. I have Daniel Rhodes book,
but its sometimes tough to study that stuff all alone. Would a "Glaze
Calculation 101" workshop (no, the glaze techies would not be interested in
this one) to teach the basics, step-by-step -- so you could walk away with at
least a spark of working knowledge -- be worthwhile at NCECA? I mean, I know
the basic glass former, filler, colorant etc., but the calculation stuff is a
mystery!
A workshop/forum/class would give me a little more confidence (no chemistry
here!) to tackle Rhodes' book, or at least let me know if I'm "getting it" or
if I'm way off track. What do all the other non-chemist/non glaze-techies
think of this?
Lisa in Des Moines - Definetly NOT a chemist
Lgeese@aol.com
Thanks - Lisa in Des Moines
Lgeese@aol.com
Lisa Skeen on mon 29 apr 96
In a message dated 96-04-29 00:13:57 EDT, you write:
> I have Daniel Rhodes book,
>but its sometimes tough to study that stuff all alone. Would a "Glaze
>Calculation 101" workshop (no, the glaze techies would not be interested in
>this one) to teach the basics, step-by-step -- so you could walk away with
at
>least a spark of working knowledge -- be worthwhile at NCECA? I mean, I
know
>the basic glass former, filler, colorant etc., but the calculation stuff is
a
>mystery!
AMEN!!!!!!!! We had a glaze workshop at our local studio in January, but I
can't get anywhere on my own. I'm NOT good at math, and even though I have a
chart, I can't ever remember where to get the ingredients, and where the
numbers on the chart came from in the first place!!!!
Lisa/NC
BobWicks@aol.com on tue 30 apr 96
In a message dated 96-04-29 19:36:14 EDT, you write:
> I'm NOT good at math, and even though I have a
>chart, I can't ever remember where to get the ingredients, and where the
>numbers on the chart came from in the first place!!!!
Hi Lisa:
Saw your plea regarding your mystery of glaze calculations. Sometimes we can
easily be intimidated by the numbers that the techies throw around in regards
to glazes. There is an excellent book around that you should get. CERAMICS
HANDBOOK A Guide to Glaze Calculation, Materials, and Processes by Charles
McKee Star Publishing Co. PO Box 68 Belmont, CA 94002 (415) 591-3505
ISBN: 0-89863-072-X. I have had students with only 6th grade math and no
chemistry take my class and they did very well. If you are willing to do
some on your own, I'll coach you through as best I can to get you started.
Now I'm sure there may be some that may know this better than I do, but I
have taught it for 25 years successfully. Most of my students were
duplicating glaze recipies and coming up with similar molecular formulas
using different compounds. This is a skill that all potters should have in
order to have command of the glazes that they are using on their projects.
Actually you will find it fun to do after you have mastered a few steps.
You would not be the first one to express your glaze mystery.
Bobwicks@aol.com
Ron Roy on tue 30 apr 96
To those of you who can't handle glaze calculation - me too.
If I didn't have a way of doing the calculations using my computer I just
know I would be getting a different answer each time I recalculated.
The beauty of glaze calculation software is: fast, accurate calculation.
When I am working on glazes and clays I can change the recipes 30 times in
as many minutes and the molecular calculation is done before I can look up
from the key board.
I must add: that is only a small part of being able to use the results. You
will still have to understand the role of each oxide in a glaze or clay to
be able to understand what the next step is.
I believe ones attitude to what we do is all important to our understanding
of the chemical processes which go on in our kilns. I find it useful to try
and imagine what clay and glaze go through and become by getting in the
kiln with them. I don't mean just beside the objects but inside the clay
and the glaze. To me, seeing a photograph, enlarged, of the interface
between clay and glaze helps make what I read about make sense.
I have only come to this in the last 8 years. Before glaze calculation
software the information was almost useless. Trying to make deductions from
the recipe is practically hopeless compared to the insight gained from
looking at a molecular formula of the fired glaze. All of a sudden the
descriptions of the oxides in the texts I was reading could be put to use.
I know there will be some (many) who will not want to spend the time to
learn this - I had no choice - I like understanding how things work. Call
it talent, passion or even craftsmanship - I like to think the best results
involve all three. There is some degree of risk as well - there are still
some dinosaurs out there who think anyone interested in the technical are
not creative by definition.
There are many who also don't realize how useful calculation can be to get
the colours we want. Let me show you my shino and cone 10 terra sig results
someday.
I now work for three companies who refer their customers to me when they
have a problem. I predict all but the most backward suppliers will have
some sort of technical help for their customers. The rest will sell cheap
clay but when you are in trouble they will be unable and unwilling to help.
My my how I do go on - beware the question that releases the passion.
Ron Roy, Toronto, Canada
Janathel M. Shaw on wed 1 may 96
What glaze software do you use/recommend?
Please submit to the list. I hate having to manually
calculate glaze formulas. I have to make myself
remember what rule applies for what problem, etc.
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