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Midfire glazes are a fantastic choice for potters who want the best of both worlds: durability with a beautiful range of colours and finishes. Designed for firing at temperatures between 1180°C and 1240°C, midfire glazes offer an ideal middle ground between earthenware and stoneware. Their versatility allows artists to create pieces that are both visually striking and functional, making midfire glazes an increasingly popular choice. Rich Colours One of the appealing aspects of midfire glazes is their ability to showcase rich, nuanced colours. While low-fire glazes are known for bright colours and high-fire glazes for subtle, earthy tones, midfire glazes...

Stoneware glazes are an essential element in creating beautiful, durable, and functional pottery. Designed specifically for use on stoneware clay, these glazes are formulated to mature at high temperatures, usually between 1180°C and 1300°C. When fired, they create a hard, glassy finish that enhances both the look and feel of the ceramic piece. Stoneware glazes come in various finishes—from glossy to matte and even satin—offering potters and ceramic artists the flexibility to achieve a variety of aesthetic effects. Durability One of the unique characteristics of stoneware glazes is their durability. Unlike earthenware glazes, which are more porous, stoneware glazes become...

Mudtools has become a go-to choice for ceramic artists due to the thoughtful design, durability, and adaptability of their tools. Created by ceramic artist Michael Sherrill, Mudtools focuses on making tools that feel like natural extensions of a potter’s hand, helping to streamline the pottery-making process. These tools are known for their ergonomic feel, so they reduce fatigue while allowing for precision and fluidity in shaping and finishing clay pieces. The result is a set of tools that make the creative process smoother and more enjoyable.   One of the most popular Mudtools products is their flexible ribs, which come...

Ceramic bisque, often simply called "bisque," refers to pottery that has been shaped, dried, and fired once in a kiln without any glaze. This firing process, called a "bisque firing," transforms the raw, fragile clay into a hardened, porous state, making it durable enough to handle yet still absorbent enough to accept glazes.  Bisque Stage The bisque stage is key in pottery because it prepares the piece for decoration, especially for glazing. During bisque firing, the clay’s chemical structure is altered as water and organic materials are burned off, making it less vulnerable to breakage. The texture of bisque is...

Stoneware clays are a favourite among potters for their versatility and durability. These clays, known for their nonporous nature, can be fired at high temperatures to achieve a range of finishes and strengths. Here’s a closer look at what makes stoneware clays a popular choice for ceramic artists. Characteristics of Stoneware Clays Stoneware clays are made from a mixture of clay minerals, including kaolin, ball clay, and fire clay. This blend creates a robust material that can withstand high firing temperatures, typically ranging from 1180 to 1280 degrees Celsius for glaze firings. The high firing temperature ensures that stoneware clays...