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chemicals, firings, oh my!!!

updated mon 4 dec 06

 

Beth Spindler on sat 2 dec 06


Is there an ultimate book on studio glazes, oxides, frits, firings with
electric, gas, wood, pit firings, raku - things that are done after the wheel or
hand work is through and it's on to the nitty gritty stuff to get the job done?

I have an electric kiln and use ready-made glazes ( which gets expensive) and
feel I am ready to take a step into the world of chemicals and heat
reactions, but I don't want to blow up my kiln nor house. I search through masses of
pottery books and end up getting confused.

Please steer me in the right direction.
Thanks!
Beth in VA

Donna Kat on sun 3 dec 06


I highly recommend "Mastering Cone 6 Glazes" by Hesselberth and Roy even if
this is not what you are firing to.

http://www.masteringglazes.com/index.html
http://www.frogpondpottery.com/glazestability/stableglazes.html

Also read about and learn your materials so you know what to avoid and how
to do things safely

http://ceramic-materials.com/cermat/education/index.html

You should have

"The artist's complete health and safety guide: [everything you need to know
about art materials to make your workplace safe and comply with United
States and Canadian right-to-know laws]" ISBN: 0927629100

IMO, Donna


On Sat, 2 Dec 2006 09:06:43 EST, Beth Spindler wrote:

>Is there an ultimate book on studio glazes, oxides, frits, firings with
>electric, gas, wood, pit firings, raku - things that are done after the
wheel or
>hand work is through and it's on to the nitty gritty stuff to get the job done?
>
>I have an electric kiln and use ready-made glazes ( which gets expensive) and
>feel I am ready to take a step into the world of chemicals and heat
>reactions, but I don't want to blow up my kiln nor house. I search through
masses of
>pottery books and end up getting confused.
>
>Please steer me in the right direction.
>Thanks!
>Beth in VA