Jancy Jaslow on sat 5 jun 99
Just before the recent discussion on uranium in ceramic work surfaced, I was
rummaging in a stack of old Ceramic Monthly mags, and read an article by
Richard Behrens, "Red and Yellow Glazes from Uranium." (12/62, p. 32).
Uranium, he suggests, is an option for the ceramist "who spares no expense"
in seeking particular glaze colors.
"For a number of years, this metal was missing from the potter's glaze
pantry due to its extensive use in nuclear fields. [!] Now that it can once
again be purchased in the open market, a brief review of its possibility as a
colorant seems in order."
Large amounts of uranium colorants are required (20-25%) "because of the
great atomic weith of uranium." oooch.
Of course, several of his recipes relied heavily on white lead, also.
What does this prove? Nothing, except consider carefully old, or new,
recipes with questionable ingredients.
Is there someway the web-meisters & glaze gurus can insert, automatically,
some disclaimer when clayart messages include recipes with questionable
ingredients? Pick up on some select buzz words, and instantly insert
something akin to the inserts on all alcoholic beverages/tobacco products:
Caution! Warning! Beware! etc.
Jancy Jaslow
in Cincinnati, where SummerFair is in full, muggy, smoggy swing with over 200
arts & crafts vendors
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