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A Journey Through the Glazing Process and the Magic It Brings to Each Piece
As a ceramic artist, one of the most exciting parts of the process is the glazing stage. Glazing signals that I’m nearing the end of creating a piece, and I always look forward to seeing how the final glaze firing transforms my work. It’s fascinating how a piece can go from unassuming bisqueware to a vibrant, finished product—all thanks to the magic of glaze.
In this post, I’ll take you behind the scenes to share my favorite glaze combinations, a bit about my glazing process, and the unpredictability that makes each piece unique.
The Basics of Glazing: Why It’s So Important
Glaze isn't just for aesthetics—though it can absolutely turn a piece into a work of art. It also serves a practical purpose by creating a glass-like coating that adds durability and makes a piece safe to use for food or drink, as long as it is food safe. Glazes can add different effects, like a glossy shine, a smooth matte finish, or even a textured, space-like look depending on the application. It’s these possibilities that make glazing such an exciting part of ceramics for me.
The Glazing Process: How I Bring Pieces to Life
Before I even begin glazing, I wipe all my pieces with a wet sponge. This might seem like a small step, but it’s essential—it removes dust and ensures that the glaze adheres smoothly.
As for choosing the glaze itself, it’s often an instinctive process. Sometimes, I know exactly what I want a piece to look like before I even bisque fire it, but more often, I make my decision when the glazing begins. It’s about envisioning the finished piece and knowing which glaze will bring out the textures and details in just the right way.
Happy Accidents and Unpredictability in Glazing
While glazing can be predictable, it sometimes throws surprises my way. When I first started making my pepper test tiles (small sample tiles for testing glaze combinations), I played around with a lot of different combos. Some were, well, less than appealing. Others turned out to be exactly what I needed to bring a piece to life. That’s part of what makes this process so fun—the unexpected beauty.
Functionality and Glaze Safety
When I’m glazing, I always keep in mind how the piece will be used. Not all glazes are food-safe, and I’m careful to use only FDA-approved Food Safe glazes for items like mugs, bowls, or plates. It’s important that my pieces are not only beautiful but functional and safe for everyday use.
My Favorite Glaze Combinations
Right now, I’m working with a variety of commercially made glazes, mainly Mayco Stoneware. I love combining different finishes to create something unique. Here are three of my current favorite glaze combinations:
Muddy Waters (SW-179) Over Birch (SW-131)
This combo gives a beautiful space-like effect, especially on textured pieces. The way the glaze interacts with different surface textures creates depth and dimension, almost like a starry night sky. It’s one of those combinations that keeps surprising me, and I love that.
Blue Opal (SW-252) Over Oyster (SW-110)
I’ve used this one frequently on my Texas Trinket Dishes, and it’s a favorite for its beachy, sand-and-sea vibe. The way the blue glazes settle over the oyster-colored base reminds me of looking down into shallow, sandy water.
Blue Opal (SW-252) Over Light Flux (SW-401)
This combination is a little more unpredictable—it has a tendency to run—but the result is stunning. The white and light blue tones blend into each other like ocean waves, creating a soft, calming effect. It’s a combination I want to explore more, especially for larger pieces.
I’m also starting to think ahead for the holidays. With Christmas coming up, I’m planning to work more with traditional festive colors for some special ornaments and tree pieces.
What’s Next?
Lately, I’ve been itching to try a technique called pond glazing, which creates a layered, liquid effect that looks absolutely stunning. I’m always experimenting and looking for new ways to push my work, so stay tuned to see how that goes!
One thing I’d love customers to know about glazing is that the process is often unpredictable. Even when I follow the same steps, pieces can come out of the kiln looking completely different. That’s the beauty and mystery of working with ceramics—it keeps you on your toes!
I’d love to hear from you: Please feel free to leave comments, share your thoughts, or ask any questions you may have. For more behind-the-scenes content, follow me on on Instagram and Facebook at Your Sister's Pot Shop. I also encourage you to sign up for my newsletter to stay up to date on new pieces and blog posts. Your support means the world to me, and I can’t wait to continue sharing this creative journey with you.
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