Kiln Fire Blog
Whether you are an aspiring potter, or a business-minded individual, our blog aims to provide insights, knowledge, and appreciation for art and entrepreneurship within pottery and ceramics. Let's see what we can discover at the intersection of clay, creativity, and commerce.
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Experimenting with Glaze: Combining Colors and Textures
As a ceramic artist, there's no need to confine yourself to pre-made glazes. You unlock a world of untapped creative possibilities by custom mixing your own glaze colors and textures. This guide will lead you on a journey through the...
Utilizing Underglaze on Bisqueware
Underglazes, widely known for their use on raw clay, hold untapped potential for adding vibrancy and intricate details to bisqueware. Applying these rich colors to bisque-fired pieces prior to glazing is an artistic strategy that can result in delightful patterns...
Demystifying Underglaze: Its Composition and Uses
Underglaze, a colorful addition to pottery, remains an enigmatic entity to many ceramic artists. This guide will shed light on the crucial elements of underglaze and provide insights on exploiting this versatile medium for an array of decorative and functional...
The Tradition and Technique of Salt Glazing
Salt glazing is an ancient atmospheric pottery technique. The method involves introducing common salt into the kiln, which leads to "orange peel" glaze effects. Mastering salt glazing requires precise timing and technique. Let's delve into this fascinating tradition.Understanding Salt GlazingSalt...
Revamping Your Pottery: How to Reglaze
If your pottery is beginning to lose its luster, reglazing provides a fantastic way to refresh the glaze colors and effects. Whether you're looking to update your style or salvage a piece from a flawed firing, you can strip the...
Deciphering the Language of Clay Firing
Firing clay seems simple - just put it in a hot kiln. But ceramics artists and potters use a vast array of technical terms to describe critical nuances. What exactly do potters mean when they refer to firing to cone...
Exploring Oxidation and Reduction Firing in Ceramics
Ceramics artists have a wide array of options for finishing and decorating their pieces. Two of the most common firing techniques are oxidation and reduction, which create very different visual effects through complex chemical reactions. Let's break down the science...
Understanding Saggar Firing in Pottery
What are those weird vessels stacked inside pottery kilns, filled with curious materials? They are saggars - specially designed boxes used in the distinctive saggar firing technique. Let's unpack how saggars work and the dazzling effects they can create.What is...
Exploring Porcelain and Terracotta Firing Temperatures
Porcelain and terracotta represent two ends of the spectrum when it comes to firing temperatures for ceramics. Porcelain's high heat firing produces hardness and translucency, while terracotta clays can be fired at much lower temperatures to retain earthy qualities. What...
Demystifying Pyrometric Cones and Their Role in Ceramics
Odd-shaped little pyrometric cones are in every ceramics studio, placed carefully inside kilns before firing. What is the purpose of these cryptic objects? Let's shed some light on the science behind pyrometric cones and why they are indispensable for accurate...