Wednesday 1 May 2013

A little glazing tip

How can you glaze small pots which don't have footrings, without leaving any fingermarks? Glaze tongs are one option, but I've never bought any. One thing I've tried which usually works, is painting the base of the bisced pot with a couple of layers of  water-proof, polyurethane varnish and leaving it for a while until the coating is completely dry. Then I attach a fairly large (about an inch square) lump of Blu Tack to the base and use this as a handle with which to dip the pot. One bonus of this method is that any excess glaze can be easily wiped off the varnished area with a damp sponge..

It can be very easy to accidentally touch varnish on to the sides of the pot and that will ruin the glaze finish unless you re-bisc.


Also, it's important to make sure that the varnish is completely dry before dipping and to check that the Blu Tack is firmly attached! If glaze firing in-doors, the room needs to be properly ventilated as the varnish will burn off in the kiln.

Another way is to make a wax handle :  http://ceramicartsdaily.org/clay-tools/decorating-tools/wax-on-wax-off/


4 comments:

  1. I have no idea what blu tack is but this tips sounds intriguing.

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    1. Hi Linda, Blu Tack is a re-usable adhesive putty: http://www.craftycrocodiles.co.uk/images/products/zoom/1286209788-34379600.jpg

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  2. How interesting! Thank you for sharing your tip! : )

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    1. You're welcome, thanks for your visit, Midori! :)

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