Class Length: Two days, August 16th, 4pm-7pm AND August 23rd 5pm-8pm
Class Description: In this immersive two-day course, participants will be introduced to the foundational skills and knowledge needed to create ceramic glazes from scratch. Through a balance of guided instruction, demonstrations, and hands-on practice, students will explore the materials, chemistry, and creative potential of glaze-making. No prior experience is necessary—just curiosity and a love for ceramics!
Day 1: Foundations of Glaze Chemistry & Mixing
Focus: Understanding materials
Topics Covered:
What is a glaze? (basic chemistry and function)
Overview of raw glaze materials: fluxes, stabilizers, glass formers, colorants
How to safely handle and store glaze materials
How to read and interpret a glaze recipe, using Glazy.org, etc.
Introduction to test tiles. Students will make test tiles for glaze on day one (hand-built or thrown)
Overview of colorants and oxides: how to add color to your glazes
Takeaway: By the end of Day 1, students will understand the role of each component in a glaze recipe and begin their research into what glaze they intend to test. Homework will be to purchase materials.
Day 2: Glaze Testing, Colorants
Focus: Experimenting with additives and learning how to mix a basic glaze
Topics Covered:
Hands-on activity: Students mix and label their own base glaze batches
Application: brushing, dipping, pouring, spraying basics
What happens in the kiln: firing ranges and effects on glaze results, common glaze issues.
Takeaway: Students will have experimented with at least one colorant, and applied glazes to test tiles. Students should expect results in 1-2 weeks.
Age Limitations: Ages adults 18+
Supplies: We will provide the base raw glaze ingredients for testing and cover firing services. Students should expect to use their own clay and purchase their own PPE, buckets & containers, immersion blender and scale. etc. and any raw material that is more costly or outside the range of what we can cover, all of which will be discussed on day one and sent to students ahead of time. Students should bring a notebook or binder, and fully charged laptop or tablet to begin research on day one in class.
Teachers: Debra Balestreri
Seating is VERY Limited: 6
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