Glazes

Glaze gives a piece its colour, gloss and above all its function. Without it, ceramics are not watertight. It is applied to a piece after the first firing and melts into glass in the second. That is why applying glaze is the most sensitive step of the whole process.

Before glazing

Your pieces from the first firing are on the shelf under your customer number (the one you signed them with; you will find it in your profile).
Check the sample board to see how each glaze looks on your clay. Glaze in the bucket has a different colour than after firing.
Glazes are ready and tested. Do not add water or mix anything in, it would change how they behave in the kiln.

Applying

Stir the glaze in the bucket thoroughly before use so there are no lumps or sediment. Pigments settle at the bottom. Check by hand, the glazes are harmless.
For full coverage, dip, immerse or pour. Dip the piece for about three seconds, the glaze soaks into the porous body.
Use a brush only for decorative effects, strokes, dots or splatter. A brush cannot give an even layer and we cannot guarantee the result.
Glazes can be layered: dip in one, let it dry, apply another. Effects appear where they meet.
Some studios have brush-on glazes. Shake them before use and apply several coats with a brush, letting each coat dry. The procedure is posted in the studio.

The base of the piece

Wipe the base the piece stands on clean with a wet sponge, about half to one centimetre from the edge. Glaze on the base sticks to the kiln shelf and the piece cannot be removed without damage.

Too thick a layer

Dipping too long or pouring repeatedly creates a thick layer that runs, bubbles or cracks in the kiln. Run glaze damages the kiln shelf and other people's pieces. If your piece causes damage, we will ask for compensation according to its extent.

After glazing

Place the piece in the spot for firing and check that your signature is legible, see Marking your pieces. Close the glaze buckets and wash the tools.