On a recent social media post, someone asked, “Is that your glaze?” I answered, “Yes, it is. I purchased it with my money, layered it and applied it in my own unique way, so , yes, it’s my glaze.

There is always a lot of discussion around whether or not using commercial glazes vs glazes that one makes themselves is legit…acceptable in the grand scheme of things in the world of pottery.

cone 10 gas reduction firing results
Gas Fired Cone 10 Bowl

I’m going to give you my take on that question.

I recently moved from Australia to the USA. In Australia I’ve been mixing my own glazes and firing gas reduction kilns for about 10 years.

gas kiln, fibre-lined gas kiln
My first gas kiln, Thelma.

Prior to moving to Australia, I fired oxidation, mixed some of my glazes and finally bought a few Coyote Glazes just before moving to Australia. Here’s a blog post on using Coyote Glazes in Australia. Click Here.

glaze buckets
Glaze buckets!

Now I am back to firing cone 5/6 glazes in oxidation in an electric kiln.

I’ve made the decision to NOT MIX MY OWN GLAZES! I’m buying commercial glazes (Coyote Glazes) and LOVING IT!

Why? And how can I not keep making my own glazes?

Firstly, I do love gas reduction and the cone 10 glazes. However, the work, expense of buying all those chemicals, storing all those chemicals, and the work (again) to mix those glazes is HUGE! Also, I spent a great deal of time making glazes and firing, with a very high failure rate. When I did get great results, I was euphoric! But I’d say that the percentage of failure versus success was 70/30 – success being the 30%.

I’ve decided to use the testing, expertise, and professionalism of all the commercial glaze companies instead of depending on little ole me for all the work to get the glazes just right.

Here are some of my recent Cone 6 Oxidation results. Although the glazes are not cheap, I have more time to make, less failures, and firings are more repeatable and predictable. All in all, I’m loving it!

farm girl pottery, recycled clay, handbuilt vessel, plowed ground, altered clay, raw clay
Large Plowed Ground Vessel – made from recycled clay, thrown, handbuilt and altered. Raw clay depicts the plowed fields, blue glaze depicts the life-giving water filling the rows to water the crops.

So criticize if you must, but I’m seeing tons of great midfire range glazes on social media that rock – from all sorts of companies – Amaco, Mayco and others – and I plan to try them all!

Let me know what you think??

Glaze on!

Marian