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slip glazes/ advice for albania

updated wed 14 mar 01

 

Mark Duerr on tue 13 mar 01


Friends,

I know well that Albany Slip has disappeared
from use. While searching my area for a natural clay
body I noticed that one test became pretty brittle
from an ^010 bisque. I applied some to a test tile and
took it up to ^10 and was pleased to see the Albany
Slip look. I was thinking that Abania must have a variety
of clays which could be used for a very simple glaze. Mine
turned dark honey brown during ^10 oxidation and took
on some wonderful yellow breaks over texture in ^10 salt.
That same clay body can be thrown right out of the ground
by simply removing bits of roots. . .it's a great terra
cotta body and also makes a nice buff terra sig when mixed
50/50 with ball clay or by itself for that matter.

I enjoy finding usable material. I hope you have
success in your search. . .

Regards,

mark duerr







>My thought for a solution to the Albanian problem, the glaze one not that
>other problem, is to formulate a glaze based on glass. Bottles, window
>panes, cullet, etc. Southeastern American folk potters did well with this
>kind of glaze. Perhaps just ground glass and local clay could make a
>successful glaze. The most difficult part of this program is reducing the
>glass to a fine enough powder to be used in a glaze slurry. This is a
>mechanically simple but energy intensive process. The folk potters used
>mule driven mills to accomplish this task. Similar smashing and grinding
>tasks have been done by water powered trip hammer mills. In any event,
>glass is a common material that can be turned to this use with some success.
>
>Joseph Herbert
>
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