Jenny Lewis on wed 5 jan 05
Hi Carl
You ask "Is there any reason I shouldn't mix my own glazes from the get-go?"
- to which I am happy to reply certainly NOT!
I am a glaze beginner, having done 21 years of evening classes (well, I don't
like to rush these decisions....) and like you I had never had to do anything
beyond finding the right bucket - which could be quite tricky sometimes!
Depended on how organised the class tutors or technicians were. A few years ago
I did a course on glaze making and loved it. So, have been wanting to have a
go ever since. I certainly recommend that you go ahead and try it.
The best information is on Clayart. Decide what temp you will be firing to,
and then check Clayart archives for lists of materials to get you started
(there have been several over the years) as well as basic recipes and advice. Or,
go wild - buy a book. I have not yet got to Ron and John's Cone 6 book, but
that is only because I am still plodding through Mike Bailey's Cone 6 book
(published here in the UK). Or surf the web, lots of great information out
there, just needs to be right for you so you might have to put some time into it.
But it is going to be time very well spent.
When I was ordering stuff recently for my new studio I made a list of
materials according to Clayarters' advice, and spent about 100 pounds sterling, I
think that is about 150 US dollars. I've made 8 test glazes so far (200 grams
dry weight each) which has hardly scratched the surface of what the buckets
contain.
You need decent scales. I couldn't manage the rather expensive triple beam
variety, so I bought a moderately good kitchen scale, electronic, weighs in 1
gram increments. So far so good.
Go for it.
Good luck, and enjoy,
Jenny Lewis
in Eastleigh, UK
LOL at your sign-off!
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