Carol Seidman on fri 12 mar 99
Hello clayart friends:
I recently started using lowfire clay after many years of stoneware
at ^6. I teach adult education handbuilding classes in two school
districts and it was "suggested" that we use earthenware. There were
materials (clay and commercial glazes) left over so I made some pieces
to use as samples, and mostly to get some experience using underglazes.
So I fell in love with all that color, and started selling my new work.
Now the difficulties: please help me.
The students get the most wonderful glasslike finish using underglazes
and commercial clear dipping glaze (we have used both Duncan and Mayco),
I GET PINHOLES IN MY WORK, using the same materials. The reps from both
companies were no help. I've tried hotter, slower bisque, thinning the
clear glaze, quicker dips, soaking at the high end. No help. I'm
thinking that maybe since I throw all my pieces on the wheel, and the
students roll out slabs, that the extra compression of the clay causes
this problem. My kiln has an Environvent, the schools have hood vents.
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. If anyone has a formula for a
reliable, foodsafe ^06-04 clear they would be willing to share that
would be even greater. Many thanks.
Carol Seidman cseidman@home.com
Nanci Bishof on tue 16 mar 99
Just a few questions. When you say you are using the same materials does that
mean the clays are the same as well as the glazing materials? Are you allowing
the kiln to cool slowly thru quartz inversion temperature? Is the surface of
the ware rinsed before glazing?
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