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dry ash glaze again...

updated wed 22 dec 04

 

Kate Johnson on sun 19 dec 04


Good evening glaze folk...I asked this the other day, I thought, but my
email has been wonky or we may all have been too busy...I'll try again.

In one of the books, I think the Tony Birks one, he shows someone sprinkling
dry ash on a dampened bisque pot as a glaze, and says that the inside of the
pot is glazed normally. The photo of the finished pot on the next page is
gorgeous! I'd love to try this, but wonder if you can expect ash used in
this way to mature or flux or whatever under ^6-^10?

I didn't find any other mention of the process--no how-to or anything...what
say you?

Best--
Kate

ASHPOTS@AOL.COM on mon 20 dec 04


Hi ya,, ive seen pots in Ceramic Monthly Geil adds that Tom Coleman has done
like that.. wonderfull pots as all the Coleman pots are,, Also saw the pots in
articles about Tom also.. in the articles and adds it says cone 10
I like to spray a little of my ash glaze over a shino , ive done it on mugs ,
bowls and vases.. looks like a wood fire pot.. I also fire to cone 10,,
next firing ill try to spread some ash on some small bowls,

Mark
www.lookoutmountainpottery.com

John Post on mon 20 dec 04


Hi Kate,

I just did some experiments with ash at cone 6. I found that the ash I
used did not flux very well by itself at cone 6. When I mixed it with
a local earthenware clay in a line blend it did melt and form several
useful glazes. You'll just have to try it and see what happens with
your ash.

If you want to try something quick and easy, you could glaze a pot then
use a sieve to sprinkle a coating of ash onto the wet glaze. This will
give you a melted glaze for sure, since you are adding another flux to
your glaze. If you want to see the line blend that I did using ash you
can find it here...
http://www.wideopenwest.com/~jpost4400/

Cheers,
John Post

> In one of the books, I think the Tony Birks one, he shows someone
> sprinkling
> dry ash on a dampened bisque pot as a glaze, and says that the inside
> of the
> pot is glazed normally. The photo of the finished pot on the next
> page is
> gorgeous! I'd love to try this, but wonder if you can expect ash used
> in
> this way to mature or flux or whatever under ^6-^10?

Stephen on mon 20 dec 04


Weather this works depends on several things: the type of ash, the
tempature, the type of firing, etc. Sifted over the top, it simulates what
already happens in a wood burning kiln. In electric firing this will not
usually blend well with the bottom part of the pot. It is sometimes
possible to make a glaze with just ash and water. a binder may be
necessary, and a hirer temerature. I had an incredible grey specked glaze
like this once in gas at cone 10. other times when I tried this the glaze
was dry and anywhere I touched the pot showed up. You can also sprinckle or
sift ashes over wet glaze. I have done this a lot. the ash blends with the
glaze if it is hot enough and not too thick.
Stephen

Fred Hagen on mon 20 dec 04


John/Kate

Can I assume that the line blend is in oxidation at cone 6? I also have some Mich clay that I did a line blend on using Neph Sye as the flux and didn't get anywhere near the range of colors John experienced.

John Post wrote:
Hi Kate,

I just did some experiments with ash at cone 6. I found that the ash I
used did not flux very well by itself at cone 6. When I mixed it with
a local earthenware clay in a line blend it did melt and form several
useful glazes. You'll just have to try it and see what happens with
your ash.

If you want to try something quick and easy, you could glaze a pot then
use a sieve to sprinkle a coating of ash onto the wet glaze. This will
give you a melted glaze for sure, since you are adding another flux to
your glaze. If you want to see the line blend that I did using ash you
can find it here...
http://www.wideopenwest.com/~jpost4400/

Cheers,
John Post

> In one of the books, I think the Tony Birks one, he shows someone
> sprinkling
> dry ash on a dampened bisque pot as a glaze, and says that the inside
> of the
> pot is glazed normally. The photo of the finished pot on the next
> page is
> gorgeous! I'd love to try this, but wonder if you can expect ash used
> in
> this way to mature or flux or whatever under ^6-^10?

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Veena Raghavan on mon 20 dec 04


In a message dated 12/20/2004 1:24:36 PM Eastern Standard Time,
johnpost@WIDEOPENWEST.COM writes:

Hi John, Just looked at the pictures on your web site. Very very nice! Do you
think this would work with Redart as opposed to your local earthenware, or is
Redart an entirely different "creature". I know, test, test, test, which I
will do, but I thought I would try my luck and ask for input!

Thanks in advance.

Veena




> Hi Kate,
>
> I just did some experiments with ash at cone 6. I found that the ash I
> used did not flux very well by itself at cone 6. When I mixed it with
> a local earthenware clay in a line blend it did melt and form several
> useful glazes. You'll just have to try it and see what happens with
> your ash.
>

VeenaRaghavan@cs.com

Kate Johnson on mon 20 dec 04


Hi John...those are very nice indeed!

> I just did some experiments with ash at cone 6. I found that the ash I
> used did not flux very well by itself at cone 6. When I mixed it with
> a local earthenware clay in a line blend it did melt and form several
> useful glazes. You'll just have to try it and see what happens with
> your ash.

I was guessing that was the case. ^6 to ^10, then, generally speaking.
Since I use a lower firing/maturing clay body, probably best to skip this
experiment till I get back to stoneware...?
>
> If you want to try something quick and easy, you could glaze a pot then
> use a sieve to sprinkle a coating of ash onto the wet glaze. This will
> give you a melted glaze for sure, since you are adding another flux to
> your glaze.

I've been meaning to try that! A friend of mine whose husband built a huge
woodfired kiln for her told me about that a couple of years ago, guess I'll
have to give it a shot.

If you want to see the line blend that I did using ash you
> can find it here...
> http://www.wideopenwest.com/~jpost4400/
>
LOVELY.

Best--
Kate

Ivor and Olive Lewis on tue 21 dec 04


Dear Kate Johnson,
I think you will find this is one area that is wide open to
experimentation.
There are so many variable factors from which to choose. Type and
constitution of clay? Origin of the Ash/? Processed or unprocessed Ash
? Which cone to choose? Oxidising, neutral or reducing fires.
If you want excitement in you ceramic career then choose your own
experimental pathway and, at the same time, read as much and as widely
as you can about Glazes, Glazing and Firing to get some breadth and
depth of fundamental knowledge
Best regards,
Ivor Lewis.
Redhill,
S. Australia.