For Flux Sake

Unloading a kiln can be an emotional rollercoaster, especially if it's filled with a new ceramic form that gives you trouble. Today the gang answer a listener question about how to keep plates from cracking, the best temperature for firing terracotta, and if there is a vegan alternative for shellac.
 
Do you have questions or need advice on glazes? Drop us a line at [email protected] and you could be featured on an upcoming show. Are you coming to NCECA? Look for Matt and Rose at the Ceramic Materials Workshop booth and Kathy at the Harvard Ceramic booth in the expo hall. Hope to see you there. 
 
Have you checked out the new For Flux Sake Patreon? This is a great way to show your support and have access to discounted merch, live hangouts, and extra episodes. Head over to Patreon and sign up today. 
 
Today's episode is brought to you by Monkey Stuff, The Rosenfield Collection, Cornell Studio Supply, and Ceramic Materials Workshop's Making Glaze Make Sense.
 
This week's episode features the following topics:
Compression, particle packing, terracotta, low fire, shellac

What is carbon coring, and should we care about it? The term is actually a misnomer, with the real culprit being iron, a common ingredient in reduction fired clays. Today the gang talk about the phenomenon along with questions about kiln safety, and best studio practices for kids and pets. 
 
Do you have questions or need advice on glazes? Drop us a line at [email protected] and you could be featured on an upcoming show. Are you coming to NCECA? Look for Matt and Rose at the Ceramic Materials Workshop booth and Kathy at the Harvard Ceramic booth in the expo hall. Hope to see you there. 
 
Have you checked out the new For Flux Sake Patreon? This is a great way to show your support and have access to discounted merch, live hangouts, and extra episodes. Head over to Patreon and sign up today. 
 
Today's episode is brought to you by Monkey Stuff, The Rosenfield Collection, Cornell Studio Supply, and Ceramic Materials Workshop's Making Glaze Make Sense.
 
This week's episode features the following topics:
Carbon coring, red iron oxide, black iron oxide, reduction, stoneware clay

Glaze preparation is a necessary part of the ceramic process, but have you ever wondered why sieving glazes is important? Today the gang talk about various ways to prepare a glaze and why you might not need to sieve as much as you think. They also break down the idea of glazes that fire at multiple temperature ranges, and answer a listener's question about bubbling in a clear glaze. 
 
Do you have questions or need advice on glazes? Drop us a line at [email protected] and you could be featured on an upcoming show.
 
Have you checked out the new For Flux Sake Patreon? This is a great way to show your support and have access to discounted merch, live hangouts, and extra episodes. Head over to Patreon and sign up today. 
 
Today's episode is brought to you by Monkey Stuff, The Rosenfield Collection, Cornell Studio Supply, and Ceramic Materials Workshop's Making Glaze Make Sense.
 
This week's episode features the following topics:
Sieving, bubbling, clear glaze, low fire, mid range, high fire

To start today's episode we take a ride to Materials Corner to talk about the situation with EPK, as well as, if there is an easy substitute to use in clay and glazes. The gang also answers a listener's questions about the feasibility of making your own clay. What equipment do you need? Does doing it yourself save money? 
 
Do you have questions or need advice on glazes? Drop us a line at [email protected] and you could be featured on an upcoming show.
 
Have you checked out the new For Flux Sake Patreon? This is a great way to show your support and have access to discounted merch, live hangouts, and extra episodes. Head over to Patreon and sign up today. 
 
Today's episode is brought to you by Monkey Stuff, The Rosenfield Collection, Cornell Studio Supply, and Ceramic Materials Workshop's Making Glaze Make Sense.
 
This week's episode features the following topics:
EPK, Materials Corner, clay mixing, pug mill, Pioneer Kaolin, Georgia Kaolin

Have you ever wondered why kilns have peep holes? Today Matt, Rose, and Kathy debate the function and necessity of peep holes, while also tackling a question about glazing only the interior of a pot. They also start the episode talking about the research Kathy is doing at Harvard Ceramics into the historic use of graphite as a ceramic sealer. Do you have questions or need advice on glazes? Drop us a line at [email protected] and you could be featured on an upcoming show.
 
Have you checked out the new For Flux Sake Patreon? This is a great way to show your support and have access to discounted merch, live hangouts, and extra episodes. Head over to Patreon and sign up today. 
 
Today's episode is brought to you by Monkey Stuff, The Rosenfield Collection, Cornell Studio Supply, and Ceramic Materials Workshop's Making Glaze Make Sense.
 
This week's episode features the following topics:
Peep hole, kiln venting, glaze tension, glaze compression, dunting, vitrification