Raw ash onto wet clay

[jafa5]

I've been really fortunate at work to come across a heap of local material, one of the most exciting is a small seam of volcanic ash from Lake TaupeTaupe here in New Zealand, that erupted about 18,000 years ago.  I've used a small amount in a few small batches which has been really good but wanted to ask if it's likely to work as a glaze if I just sprinkle the ash direct onto the wet clay?

Today I made a couple of rough textured chawan bowls and I thought they might be worth trying for a single firing with the ash just thrown onto the wet clay.  Or am I better to biscuit them, add a glaze and throw some ash onto the wet glaze?

Any tips from frequent ash users?

Novice here, so please excuse any ludicrously silly questions above

Cheers ,

Liam

[oldlady]

i know some very good potters who toss dry ash onto wet glaze.  very interesting results, i do not have photos.

[jafa5]

Thanks Oldlady:)

I'll just give it a try!

[C.Banks]

You might already be aware but fwiw volcanic ash is a naturally fritted feldspar. It can be substiuted directly for feldspar but requires silica.

In a glaze it brings a bit of iron so makes a nice celadon(in reduction) and can work in a base for a lifetimes worth of glazes.

[Marcia Selsor]

I used Mt St. Helen's ash from the 1980 eruption. Volcanic ash is a good feldspar. Look up some recipes. you may get some stunning results by using it in a glaze.

http://www.potters.org/subject99294.htm

 

Marcia

[Tyler Miller]

Bjarni Sigurdsson is someone you may want to check out.  Icelandic potter who uses volcanic ash in glazes and clay bodies.  It’s a significant part of his artistic practice.

[jafa5]

Thanks guys, I found some nice looking feldspar recipes today and will try some substitutes tonight, hopefully fire them this weekend. 

I'll check out BjarnI thanks Tyler