Simple Glaze Tests

摘要

Finding and making one's own glazes is gratifying. Not only is it much cheaper than buying proprietary ones but there is a certain satisfaction that comes with making a discovery. Even if you use someone else's recipe as a starting point it quickly becomes 'one's own' by varying some of the ingredients. This means that potters not only have greater control but also that evolving new glazes may in turn suggest fresh ideas and different avenues to explore. When making and planning glaze tests it is important to cut down on as many variables as possible. Use the same kiln, firing temperature, sieve mesh size and clay body as used in production. For this reason small test kilns should be avoided as the difference in the rate of heating, and especially the faster cooling, will give a false indication about how a glaze will behave.