handknittedpottery Posted October 23, 2014 Report Share Posted October 23, 2014 A problem has arisen on mugs where the glaze has a hole in it around the handles - this has only recently started happening. A friend said it looks like crawling - if so how do I stop it happening? My kiln elements are a bit worn out so I am firing at a slightly lower temperature than normal to avoid overfiring - could this be the problem? Or is it dust? If there's an obvious hole in the glaze when I apply it I brush some more over it to fill it. Can anyone help? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Callie Beller Diesel Posted October 23, 2014 Report Share Posted October 23, 2014 I work cone 10, but I sometimes get this if my glaze is a bit thick. A dab of water in the offending spot right before dipping can fix it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJR Posted October 23, 2014 Report Share Posted October 23, 2014 Looks like an air bubble in an obvious spot. Glaze looks pretty thick too. I glaze with tongs, dip into bucket, turn mug sideways, pull out, then hold it upside down with the tongs. Sometimes you have to finger rub some areas of glaze. TJR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perkolator Posted October 23, 2014 Report Share Posted October 23, 2014 to me, your example looks like a simple glaze holiday vs something like crawling from too thick application. possible it was dust too. also possible that it was a bubble coming through the glaze that didn't settle out, due to slight underfire or not long enough hold - but i'm less inclined to say it's this because the rest of the surface is even. are the other failures identical to this? same spot on all mugs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clay lover Posted October 23, 2014 Report Share Posted October 23, 2014 I'm guessing the glaze was too thick in the bucket to flow into these tight places. I have had that happen when the texture is too deep on something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted October 23, 2014 Report Share Posted October 23, 2014 Thin glaze-its to thick. blow on tis spot after dipping with your mouth as glaze runs off (advanced tecnique) Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bciskepottery Posted October 23, 2014 Report Share Posted October 23, 2014 Glaze thickness/glaze too stiff. The glaze is too thick to flow into the sharp corners; it looks like it is covering after being dipped and then drying, but it is not actually making contact underneath with the clay surface (pocket of air). When it fires, the glaze shrinks and exposes the claybody. I've had this happen with majolica base glaze. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
handknittedpottery Posted October 23, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 23, 2014 yes it is happening in the same spot on all affected mugs - thanks so much to everyone who has replied - hopefully these suggestions will sort it out! Hugh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babs Posted October 23, 2014 Report Share Posted October 23, 2014 Looks like pretty thick glaze application, or dust gathered from smoothing after mug dry. Do you dampen your pot prior to glazing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted October 24, 2014 Report Share Posted October 24, 2014 The glaze is too thick/viscous to flow into that corner when glazing. With a runny glaze it will melt out, but with a stiff glaze as that appears to be, it won't flow out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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