=3D?Windows-1252?B?VGlnIER1cHLp?=3D on wed 18 may 11
Lili is correct. The
vast majority of glazes seem to be variations on a theme. There are only s=
=3D
o many materials we can use
in glazes=3D2C comprising a narrow band on the Periodic Table. And there a=
re=3D
only so many oxides and
carbonates of the metals that we can safely use in our formulations. I say=
=3D
=3D93safely=3D94 because we no longer
habitually test with lead=3D2C cadmium=3D2C uranium or other potentially ha=
rmfu=3D
l
compounds.
=3D20
I am no chemist=3D2C I freely admit. I learned just enough chemistry in co=
ll=3D
ege
studies to be dangerous to myself. And=3D2C
while I do not fully understand enough about glaze chemistry to be a Fellow=
=3D
of
the Glaze College=3D2C I do know that if I combine
certain compounds in certain ratios=3D2C and fire to a certain degree of he=
at=3D
work=3D2C
I can fairly predict what will come out of a kiln opening.
=3D20
But=3D2C I submit most of us forget that much of this chemical
and thermodynamic knowledge is fairly recent.=3D20
How about that nameless guy=3D2C before the invention of the calendar=3D2C =
who
figured out that if you take so much of this powder=3D2C and combine it wit=
h =3D
so
much of that powder=3D2C you get a pleasing and durable surface? He didn=
=3D92t=3D
really weigh as much as measure his
powders=3D2C mixing a container of this and that until something worked. (=
I =3D
say =3D93he=3D94 only in the generic sense=3D2C not
intending to leave out the distaff side of the populace.)
=3D20
I have more than 50 books on glazes. My personal glaze database=3D2C recor=
de=3D
d on 5x8 index
cards and glaze calculation software numbers in the thousands. I suppose i=
=3D
f I had the time and inclination=3D2C
I could cross-reference them all to weed out potential duplicates of at lea=
=3D
st
the base glazes=3D2C never mind the variations of colorants and surface
effects. Some of the base glazes I have
recorded list up to 15 ingredients. THEN
add the colorants.
=3D20
To be fair=3D2C I have often started with an idea inspired by
someone else=3D92s published recipe=3D2C and then added my own variations. =
For=3D
instance=3D2C Mimi Obstler=3D92s =3D93Out of the
Earth=3D2C Into the Fire=3D94 sparked a number of wonderful glaze ideas for=
me.=3D
Are my ideas truly original? Probably not.=3D20
I make no claims either way. I
just use what is pleasing to me and what my customers seem to like.
=3D20
Val Cushing once told me he has a personal glaze palette of
28 colors and surfaces. I know of
potters who use but one or two. Mayor
Mel has said that his personal favorite is Rhodes
32. He mixes it in a huge barrel with a
canoe paddle=3D2C I guess. Some of us chase
the elusive =3D93perfect glaze=3D2C=3D94 reliable and sales-worthy color an=
d surf=3D
ace. Some of us are constantly experimenting and
testing. Alisa Clausen=3D92s published work
in this arena is the stuff of legend. But=3D2C who actually =3D93owns=3D94=
a gla=3D
ze? The first publisher? Hmm=3D85
=3D20
I submit that =3D93Herman Throckmorton=3D92s Perfect Purple=3D94 is just
a variation on a theme=3D2C as is my =3D93New Butter.=3D94=3D20
Nothing truly original=3D2C but a mix and method normally associated with
the person who first published it. I
have yet to see a glaze recipe trademarked or copyrighted. And I dread the=
=3D
day I do.
Kindest regards=3D2C
Tig Duprein SUNNY Port Orchard=3D2C WA
=3D
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