Glazing Techniques

We glaze bisqueware: pots that have already had their first firing. Always use ready-made commercial glazes, read the label, and choose ones marked food-safe for anything you'll eat or drink from. No mixing, no powders. Leave that to the professionals.

Step 1 — Prepare. Wipe the bisque pot with a damp sponge to remove dust. Paint wax resist on the foot and the bottom half-inch so glaze won't stick where the pot touches the kiln shelf.
Step 2 — Dipping. Stir the glaze well. Hold the pot by the foot with dipping tongs, dip it in for a slow count of three, lift, and let it drip. One even coat, one breath.
Step 3 — Brushing. Use a soft, wide brush. Apply three coats, letting each dry until it loses its shine, and change brush direction with each coat for even coverage.
Step 4 — Pouring. For the inside of a pot, pour glaze in, swirl it to coat the walls, and pour it back out in one smooth motion.
Step 5 — Layering. Dip the whole pot in one glaze, then dip just the rim in a second. Where they overlap, something wonderful happens.
Step 6 — Clean up. Sponge any glaze off the foot. A clean foot is a happy kiln shelf.

Then hand your piece to your studio for firing. Glazing over your carving or sgraffito is where it all comes together, darling. Pale, glossy glazes pool in the grooves and make every line sing.