Sometimes it’s a short walk through muck and mire, and other times not so much – but either way keep ahold of the bigger picture.
-SP Lascelles
These last few months have been attempts to rectify a running glaze issue using the same glaze combo and techniques that I’ve used for years. In this last couple batches I’ve had nice pieces go south. I was getting depressed.
So I’ve had opportunities to tweak:
- glaze dip times
- amount of glaze
- drying times
- removal of glazes
During this time I didn’t have satisfactory results… as a matter-of-fact the running of the glazes produced another thorn to this potter’s experience because Kiln Shelves were affected, and that’s not a good thing. Especially more so because it was someone else (or a few people) who cleaned the shelves of the running glaze. Knowing the frustration and the hard work to clean glaze off a shelf I surely wasn’t happy to contribute to that.
I also had instances of cracking!
Glaze Run 
Glaze Runs and bowl stuck to Kiln Shelf piece 
Cracking 
More Glaze Running under handle area 
Cracking
Experienced potters gave me suggestions and I am going to try them all. Here are the tips:
- Potter 1:
- Quick dip of base glaze, in this case perhaps only 2 seconds of the Starry Night Glaze
- Almost immediately dip into the Coastal Blue Glaze. I asked about any drying time (thinking of using the time to wipe off the foot) *but the quicker the 2nd dip the better. So to accommodate this suggestion I will try 2 methods
- use a tong to hold the piece while I wipe the foot immediately after applying the base glaze, and then drip in Coastal Blue
- after wiping the foot and seeing the rim dry enough then dip in Coastal Blue (after finding a dry enough spot to hold the piece)
- The 2 options at this point are to use the Cream glaze sparingly or to not use at all.
- Potter 2 suggested this after I said I really really like the blue glazing result
- Try using “Amber Celadon” as the base glaze and then dip Coastal Blue.
- This are my test mugs:
I really hope to find the happy place again, where my Cosmic Blue series can continue. However I am open to new illustrations of the celestial skies using different glaze combos that work well. Stay tuned for the updates!
Bisqued Mugs 
Full Amber Celadon then 1/2 dip of Coastal Blue 
Long drip on handle concern
Researching other Cosmic Blues
I did acquire inspiration after researching a bit.
- 1) I have to ask my the team at Clayscapes Pottery if I could use some of these glazes in their kiln… Look at those blues!
- 2) Found this on Pinterest:
- 3) And the incredible Bill’s Regular Blue Pottery
His page: http://www.campbellpottery.com/
Oneida Shark Pottery 