beginner questions about glazes

Hey, everybody. Let me start by saying that my experience with ceramics isn't very much. However, my great aunt was a fantastic artist whose work included a great deal of pottery/ceramics (some free standing pieces, some bowls, pots, etc.) and a whole lot of paintings, among other things. In addition to being a great artist, she was at one point the president of our local art center. Unfortunately, she's no longer with us, having passed away quite a few years ago. My stepmother also dabbles in ceramics and has tought me what she knows about glazing, which isn't too much really. I've also been doing my own research and understand the basics such as firing levels of different cones, reduction firing vs. oxidation firing, gas kiln capabilities vs. electric, etc. I also understand the differences between low fire and high fire glazes and how to achieve different results by firing multiple times, using multiple glazes, and which glazes to apply in which order. I've done some minor research into raku and salt firing along with some other more obscure methods (indian horsehair pottery http://www.google.com/search?q=indian+horsehair+pottery&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wi&biw=1366&bih=555). Having done as much research as possible, and not immediately able to attend a pottery class (which I plan on doing with my wife soon!), I'm still left with a few questions that I think may get answered here.

Question 1:

I have a pot with a pewtery, greenish metallic drip, is this a glaze or some sort of lustre??? I can post pics if necessary.


Question 2:

While looking at commercial glazes (crystallites and elements chunkies, and similar glazes) I noticed that the color "crystals/blobs" were glass frit. I used to also be interested in blowing glass (and may eventually take that up too) and have seen several different colors of glass frit. Would it be reasonable to assume that I could purchase glass frit and mix it into a glaze myself, or would this be a bad idea?


Question 3:

I'm pretty sure I've read this here somewhere, but what type of clay would be better for both bonsai pots and beginners (if there is such a clay)??? A simple link to the post would suffice.


Question 4:

Is it better to apply glaze to greenware, or something that has been bisque fired, or is this a matter of personal taste due to different results achieved by each method?


And, my last question for now:

What would some practical applications for using a wax resist of some sort, pertaining to bonsai pots? I'm still not sure I completely understand it's application.

As always, any info is greatly appreciated. The people here on this forum are very helpful and willing to share freely and that's what keeps me coming back. I only wish there was a way to return the favor. At the very least I hope that my posts and the feedback they recieve will help to inspire/inform others. I plan on getting some clay within the next couple of days and seeing what I can come up with. I'll be making mame pots to start off with, so I've got my eyes on some funky, colorful glazes. I have access to a decent sized electric kiln (which is not too close to my location) and I also may have access to another kiln here locally (don't know if it's gas or electric yet, will find out tomorrow). I'll also be trying to make some convincing artificial rocks for saikei and other landscape plantings. Of course I'll post my results for everybody to check out. Thanks again.


G

Question 1:

I have a pot with a pewtery, greenish metallic drip, is this a glaze or some sort of lustre??? I can post pics if necessary.
UNABLE TO SAY FROM HERE, THERE ARE MANY METALLIC TYPE GLAZES

Question 2:

While looking at commercial glazes (crystallites and elements chunkies, and similar glazes) I noticed that the color "crystals/blobs" were glass frit. I used to also be interested in blowing glass (and may eventually take that up too) and have seen several different colors of glass frit. Would it be reasonable to assume that I could purchase glass frit and mix it into a glaze myself, or would this be a bad idea?
YES OFTEN DONE ON DECORATIVE WARE, BIT FLASHY FOR BONSAI...

Question 3:

I'm pretty sure I've read this here somewhere, but what type of clay would be better for both bonsai pots and beginners (if there is such a clay)??? A simple link to the post would suffice.
STONEWARE, CONE 5-10, EARTH COLORS, LAGUNA CLAY SELLS BOXES OF SMALL AMOUNTS OF MANY OF THEIR CLAYS YOU CAN EXPERIMENT WITH TO FIND ONE YOU MIGHT LIKE


Question 4:

Is it better to apply glaze to greenware, or something that has been bisque fired, or is this a matter of personal taste due to different results achieved by each method? SINGLE FIRING IS TRICKY BUT NOT IMPOSSIBLE,GOOGLE STEPHEN HILL SINGLE FIRE. TWO STEP PROCESS IS STANDARD


And, my last question for now:

What would some practical applications for using a wax resist of some sort, pertaining to bonsai pots? I'm still not sure I completely understand it's application.

THE BEST IVE SEEN IS MARY CUZICK....GOOGLE...Glazing Demo by Mary Cuzick[img][/img]

Awesome! That cleared up quite a bit. I understand that adding glass frit or using glazes with similar materials would be a bit flashy for traditional bonsai pots, but I'll be doing mainly mame/shohin pots (I'm very fond of glazes on "Koyo" pots, seen quite a few on ebay). So, I think more color may be okay in this case. I'd use such glazes and materials sparingly of course, I'd even thought of removing the "crystals" from the glaze myself and applying them individually (to keep the effect fairly subtle). I've seen some pretty nice commercial glazes that would suit both bright, flashy mame pots, and some that would work for more traditional pots. Thanks for the tip on the clay, Rock, as well as answering my other questions! I'd pretty much decided to go with the Laguna clays, think that's where I'll start. Can't wait!


G

You bet, good luck.

If you ever do a workshop at a club or whatever, those little bags of laguna clays are really sweet. you can dole them out and have the folks mark them on the finished ware, so everyone can get a education on the different clays

Well, I've ordered some clay and glazes and they should be arriving today! Gonna start making some test tiles tonight so I can bisque fire them after the weekend's up. I've ordered two different types/colors of Laguna Clay and a little more than 6 pints of different glazes (4 pint bottles and numerous other 2-4 oz. bottles to expirement with). I've also selected some stains and oxides that I've yet to order. I've been sketching my ideas for pots when/if I get any, I've also been browsing around here for inspiration (the potters who post here all make exceptional pots!!!). Plus I've been doing tons of research into glazing and texturing techniques and can't wait to make something! I've recieved a lot of great info so far (here and elsewhere), just wondering if anybody else had any tips for beginners??? Thanks everybody.


G

GG, have you decided what cone\temp you will be firing? The frit crystals are usually for low fire so if you use them in high fire they will run. That's not necessarily a bad thing but make sure they are not close to the bottom of the pot.
Wood

Well, my kiln situation is a bit tricky... I have acess to a kiln locally (my Uncle's) that I'll be firing at low/mid temps (probably cone 6 max), I also have access to another kiln (in another city) that I can fire at higher temps (cone 10+) when I need to. I figure I can bisque fire certain pieces here (to make them stronger for the trip) then take them outta town if I need to fire at high temps. For now, I've bought 25 lbs. each of two different cone 5 Laguna Clays (one a speckled "tan" color, the other a reddish brown) to expirement with and some cone 5 glazes. For my base colors, I've selected four different pint jars of Amaco Potter's Choice glazes to use as bases (they seemed to have a "natural", "high fire" look to them), and for accents I've selected several different 4 oz. jars of cone 06 glazes from various makers. I'm not to sure how the glazes will act when doing multiple firings (it may not work the way I'm envisioning) but hey, that's what test tiles are for right??? I've also ordered some brighter colored "speckled" glazes for the mame/accent pots I plan on making (some of which have "frit" already added). I'm looking forward to my materials arriving, too bad I work this evening Oh well, I'll be up late anyways. And now I'll have something to do! Thanks for the tip, Gary. I had read about "glaze crystals" becoming too runny at high temps... Hate to ruin a kiln shelf on my first firing Obviously it'll probably be a couple weeks, but I'll post some pics of some work as soon as it's done!

G-

I am very excited for you!

Sounds like you are definitely on the right track to start. The temp/clay and glazes should be just fine and I will be MORE than happy to help you in anyway that I can. Just PM me or email me directly at taikoearth@gmail.com

OH.... and BTW, sketching your ideas is a GREAT thing to do. I have done it for many of my pots through the years...

Best wishes,
Rob

Thanks, Rob! Your pots are a big part of what has provided my inspiration!!! I just got home from work so I think I'll go play around a bit... Luckily my Uncle knows a little more about ceramics than my stepmother, and he's willing to help me with things I may not know yet. I'll more than likely be sending you some PMs within the next couple days as more new questions arise, Rob. Thanks again for everything, you all have been a big help!!!


G

Gentleman G. wrote: just wondering if anybody else had any tips for beginners??? Thanks everybody.


G

Yes, buy your glazes dry and save a ton from laguna,

why pay a lot for water, right

The morrocan sand line is awesome and all come dry

Thanks, Rock! I'd thought about buying dry glaze and mixing it myself. But, I thought I'd start off on a smaller scale to make sure I enjoy pottery as much as I think I'm gonna. I started off with small quantities of things, just to get a feel for the art. I figure I can always buy bulk once I decide what I like using, that way I don't end up with 100 lbs. of clay and glaze I don't use. I'm also interested in mixing my own glazes and have read several recipes, but again, one small step at a time! I do appreciate the info though, and I do need to save as much $$ as possible, so thanks! I've already begun making my test tiles and drying them, I even made a small cracked accent pot (a pinch pot)! Now the nightmare of balancing my time between my wife, my daughter, making music, doing bonsai, working, pottery, family and friends, and doing whatever I can to make school less taxing on my wife Who needs sleep anyways, right??? At least I enjoy everything I do, even if I am tired while doing it!