Mandy Monath on tue 28 may 96
I am currently working in terracotta glazed with maiolica and decorated
with various oxides and mason stains. I am interested in getting the
maiolica to craze slightly--not in the exaggerated way that you see in
"crackle" glazes. I have tried leaving the EPK out of my glaze
formulation (a tix-oxide based glaze), but still I get no crazing. Is
there a way to get subtle crazing, short of opening the kiln too soon?
Tony Hermsen on wed 29 may 96
Hi Mandy,
Surprised that you would want to "crackle" a maiolical glaze. Most of us
maiolica types dread this thought. If the work is functional, this is not a good
idea because you run the risk of leaching the oxides and other metals in the
stains into the food being served in your pottery. The better that they are
sealed into the glass the safer they are . If you are making strictly sculptural
work, OK, go for it.
You didn't say what your exact glaze formula is but usually changing the amount
of flint in the recipe will do the trick. You'll have to do a few tests.
Also be aware that "crackle" is a time kind of thing especially with an
earthenware body under the glaze. What may look like a little crackle on that
piece today may be a lot of crackle two years from now. Look at some historical
pieces and you will see what I mean.
Tony
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