Everything you need to know for your workshop

Madison Mud Clay Studio

Friday April 10 9am-4pm
Saturday April 11 9am-4pm
Sunday April 12 9am-3pm

Workshop Description:
This three-day workshop will be a general overview of ceramic glazes, focusing on but not limited to cone 6 glazes. It is designed for the continuing beginner to intermediate ceramic artists. We will discuss cones, kilns, firing dynamics, and principles as well as how to apply those principles to various firing cycles. We are chasing color!

We will discuss how glazes work, how to adjust your glazes, and how to find new ones.

The workshop fee includes three days of instruction, raw materials for glazes, bisque-fired test tiles that you will get to keep, and the firings of these test tiles in the workshop.

A Complete Guide to Mid-Range Glazes, by John Britt, is not included in the class fee. Consider purchasing it ahead of time. It will be an essential resource for long-term glaze knowledge.

Bring these items: Participant Supply List

• Lunches - We will have 1/2 hour breaks for lunch. Please pack yourself a lunch in a cooler if needed. We do have one microwave, but there are lots of people in the workshop, so there could be a line. A simple sandwich might be best.

• Dust Mask - N-95 or N-100 dust mask or OSHA-approved respirator

• Ziplock bag - quart-size, (with your name on it) to keep dust mask in.

• Journal & pen, sharpie markers, high-temperature ceramic underglaze pencil (blue or black),

• Gloves - Two pairs/ latex

• Immersion Blender - Braun (or some other brand) kitchen hand blender
  Make sure it fits inside of the cups required below. This MUST fit inside the plastic cups.

• 10 – Solo plastic cups (16 oz. Clear or blue or red party cups), and a couple of glaze brushes. Make sure the hand blender fits into the Solo cup! (There are different sizes some of which are too small and then the blender won’t reach the bottom of the cup.)
  If you want to take the test glazes home bring Tupperware containers with lids to transport otherwise, we throw it out.

• Light weight Quart Container - A container that sits on the scale to weigh out your full glaze recipe

• A 1-gallon bucket to mix your glaze in.

• Scale - Triple beam scale or digital scale
  ALSO TEST YOUR SCALE TO MAKE SURE IT IS ACCURATE TO 0.1 GRAMS!!
  Many cheap digital scales won’t measure that small of an increment. Many like to stop at 2 grams!! We need to weigh 0.2 grams or 0.5 grams. Also, test your scale against another triple beam or digital scale to see if it is actually accurate!!  MANY times, they are not!

• Small scoop for measuring out materials (needs to fit inside Solo/ Plastic Cups)

• Curiosity and patience - we will be working in a large group and learning from the efforts of everyone. Please come willing to be part of this awesome group! We are so lucky John is coming to share his knowledge with us!

About John Britt

John Britt is a studio potter in Bakersville, North Carolina who has been a potter and teacher for over 33 years. He lives in mountains of western North Carolina although he grew up in Dayton, Ohio. John is primarily a self-taught potter who has worked and taught extensively, both nationally and internationally, at universities, colleges and craft centers, including the Penland School of Crafts where he served as the Clay Coordinator and then, as the Studio’s Manager.

He is the author of the “The Complete Guide to High-Fire Glaze; Glazing & Firing at Cone 10” which was published by Lark Books in 2004, and his most recent book “The Complete Guide to Midrange Glazes: Glazing and Firing at Cone 6” which will be published October 2014. He also has and two ebooks: “The Quest for the Illusive Leaf Bowl and Other Assorted Articles” and “Aventurine Glazes”. He also has a DVD produced by Ceramics Daily entitled : “Understanding Glazes: How to Test, Tweak and Perfect Your Glazes”.

He was the juror for the book; “500 Bowls”, Technical Editor for “The Art and Craft of Ceramics”, and the “Ceramic Glaze: The Complete Handbook” by Brian Taylor and Kate Doody. He has written numerous articles for ceramics publications including: Ceramic Review, Studio Potter, Clay Times, Ceramic Technical, New Ceramics, The Log Book and is a frequent contributor to Ceramics Monthly.