Functional Art: Coil Clay Pots Part 2

Most of the clay pots have been fired in the kiln and many classes are in the midst of glazing. Before we started adding glaze to our pots we discussed the difference between glaze and paint. It is true that we use paint brushes and apply glaze to our pots just as we would paint. However, glaze has a unique DNA and acts very differently than paint. One of the most important components of glaze is glass. The glass particles in the glaze melt when fired in the kiln to create that shiny hard shell on the clay. Sometimes the colors even change, becoming brighter.

                                           Pictured below are 3 coil pots about the be glazed. 

This is what they look like after being glazed, but before being fired, a bit chalky, but don't let that fool you....

...because this is what they look like after being fired- Bright and Shiny!