Glazing Guidelines

Follow these best practices to get beautiful, consistent, and kiln-safe results — and protect our shelves!

✅ Before You Glaze

  • Use clean, dry bisque only.
    No dust, grease, or fingerprints. Wipe with a damp (not wet) sponge.

  • Keep glaze ½ inch from the bottom.
    Wax the foot or clean glaze off completely before firing.

  • Stir glazes thoroughly.
    Stir at least 30 times the first time, and again before each use.

🖌️ Applying Glaze

Aim for a “postcard thickness.” Choose one method:

  • Dip: 1–8 seconds depending on the glaze

  • Double Dip: 2 quick dips (e.g. 2 sec. each)

  • Pour: continuous pour for even coverage

  • Brush: 2–3 thin coats, alternating directions. Let each coat dry first.

Use a pin tool to check the glaze thickness.

✔️ Don’t forget to:

  • Sign your piece

  • Add glaze stamps

  • Place it on the firing shelf

📓 Glaze Notes = Better Pots!

Use your notebook to track:

  • Which glaze(s) you used

  • The order of layers

  • How long you dipped or poured

  • Whether the pot was damp

  • Coverage (how far up/down)

  • A quick sketch if needed

✍️ You won’t remember later — write it down now!

📘 Add to the Studio Binder

Help build community knowledge:

  • Share great glaze combos

  • Report problems (crawling, crazing, thickness, etc.)

⚠️ Common Glaze Problems

Too Thin

  • Dry, rough, dull, or off-color

  • Can sometimes be reglazed and refired

Too Thick

  • Crawling, cracking, running, bubbles

  • May ruin shelves or flake off

Crawling

  • Glaze pulls away or beads up

  • Caused by dirty bisque, over-thick application, or poor adhesion

Running

  • Glaze melts and flows off the piece

  • Often due to thick or very fluid glazes

👣 Foot Care = Shelf Care

Waxing the Foot

  • Use designated wax brushes (not glaze brushes)

  • Apply evenly using a banding wheel

  • Let wax dry fully

OR Clean the Foot

  • After glazing, wipe glaze off the foot using a large, flat wet sponge

  • Remove all glaze at least ½″ up the side

  • Repeat as needed — no glaze should remain

💡 Unsure if a glaze might run? Place your pot on a kiln-washed bisque slab to protect the shelf.

🔎 Glaze Behavior & Troubleshooting

Crawling Can Be Caused By:

  • Glaze too thick

  • Pot too wet or too dry

  • Dirty or greasy bisque

  • Glazing over dry glaze layers

  • Certain glazes with high surface tension (e.g. Bright White)

Running Can Be Caused By:

  • Thick glaze layers

  • Fluid glaze combos

  • Glaze applied too low on the piece

💧 Glazes That Tend to Run

Use with care — especially near the base:

  • Honey

  • Sin-Sin

  • V. Edwards Semi-Transparent

  • Spearmint + Paul’s White (combo)

🌈 Recommended Glaze Combos

Try these on your next piece — and check the test tiles!

  • Turquoise + Slate Blue – rich, varied blues

  • Turquoise or Autumn over Oil Spot – dramatic contrast

  • Bone or Paul’s White over Autumn – great for texture

  • Autumn over Toby’s – warm, earthy finish

  • Oribe on white clay – highlights fine detail (may craze)

  • Clear over underglaze – crisp, clean, especially on white clay

  • Honey or Sin-Sin over anything – drippy, flowing effects

🎯 Add your own favorite combos to the Glaze Notes Binder!

💡 Creative Tips

  • Leave some bare clay for contrast

  • Use wax resist for design, not just clean feet

  • Layer glazes using tape or wax to block areas

  • Let each coat dry before layering another glaze