A.D. on fri 12 sep 97
Hi I was wondering if any one have a good opaque or simi tanslucent Jade
color glaze for cone 9-10 redux. I would like it if it didn't craze at all.
thanks for youre time.
sirius@inetarena.com
John Harlow on wed 17 sep 97
> On Fri, 12 Sep 1997, A.D. wrote:
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Hi I was wondering if any one have a good opaque or simi tanslucent Jade
> color glaze for cone 9-10 redux. I would like it if it didn't craze at all.
> thanks for youre time. sirius@inetarena.com
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First of all I'd like to say what a useful discussion list this is;
at last computers/networks are being used for something sensible...
re the jade glaze I offer this recipe:-
30 Cornish stone
13 Limestone dust
10 China clay
5 Ball clay
15 Flint
15 Felspar (potash)
5 Borax fritt (standard)
5 Local clay (**)
1 Iron oxide
0.75 Chrome oxide
0.25 Cobalt oxide
Cone 8/9 - I fire to cone 8 down then soak until cone 9 down.
Reduction - extremely stable - takes pigments over/under.
(**) the local clay is what I dig from my paddock - bright
yellow raw, fires deep orange, boosts clay content as well as
acting as a superb glaze suspender. I use limestone dust partly
because it's free from my local quarry and partly because I
believe it gives much better results than whiting. I guess you
could lower the firing range by reducing the clay and increasing
the borax.
On another note, I have just started experimenting with basalt;
again, the air-floated dust is free from a local quarry. Cardew
says that although basalt contains everything necessary to make
a glaze on its own, it's only suitable for the 'sewer pipe
industry' - a rather damning writeoff. The test I have done
is with my standard glazes over/under
50 basalt
30 china clay
20 flint
It's massively stable and iron over it looks v.promising but
on its own is a rather bland chocolate colour. Has anyone any
experience with basalt? If so so pointers to more exciting
possibilities would be helpful.
Now for some controversial notes........
I have followed the 'making a living' debate with interest, esp
as I derived my entire income from making pots for the first
16 years of my life. I would suggest that "those who have a
burning desire to DO, will. Those who don't will teach, or be
consultants, or do something else." In my experience the ONLY
potters who make a GENUINE living from their craft are production
ware people - teaching/lecturing etc is making a living from your
SKILLS which is a different matter. In order to be a successful
production ware person you need a lot of space, first class
equipment and a wide range of other skills such as welding,
woodwork, engineering etc. To ignore or shy away from the
acquisition of these extra skills is to not do justice to your
core craft because you will inevitably end up compromising.
Hence make your own clay, build your own kiln, build your
workshop, build your display space etc etc. Commitment to
your work shines through and the average buyer can see this;
commitment tends to engender quality, and quality sells.
The whole issue of what to do with slops is extraordinary.
If you make your own clay in a doughmixer it's no problem, and
you get the added benefit of the slops adding that supposedly
necessary organic content. However, given that my clay costs
me about 10pence (15cents) a Kilo I would suggest that it is
not worth jeopardising a $100 pot because it goes against
the grain to 'waste' clay ie you may be introducing nasties
from your slops...... What I tend to do these days is use
the slops in a 50/50 mix with red clay to make a suitable
body for planters - it matters less with planters if there
are impurities showing, planters give you the chance to
practice your bigware throwing, decorative lugs etc.
BTW since my earliest days (and I have ALWAYS made my own
clay) I have used urine as the 'starter' - I'd rather eat
the yoghurt.....
I go along with MUCH of what Mel Jacobsen has to offer - I would
suggest his observations carry more credibility than ANY ceramics
lecturer/consultant. YES I KNOW I'm not currently making a living
from ceramics (as you can see from my footer) but this middle
period of my life, which just happens to be financially rewarding,
is allowing me the space to reflect on what I shall be making in
the last period - which starts in 2001............
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