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Reconstitute?


MMB

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I have yet again started the tedious task of reorganizing my studio. This time I really think Ill have things in the best possible place. One of the many things that gets rediscovered is the large box of old glazes that Ive stashed under my work table. Like many that have gotten things used in the ceramic world I received a plethora of stuff when I first got my used kiln. All I really wanted was the kiln! But it came with so many molds and glazes. Molds/moulds were disposed of but I know that many dislike the idea of dumping toxic glazes just anywhere. SO Ive kept them and when things move I just push the box into another space. This time I took more notice of some and realized they were underglazes that went to ^6. Being that has been my target range I sifted through them all and took out those alike. I never really noticed before because I knew the old lady that once operated the stash of goods didnt fire midrange let alone high fire. So like the moulds I separated out those that I thought Id use here and there over time and mentally bid goodbye to the rest.

 

Most of them are Ceramichrome Beauty Flos ^06-6. Like many of the glazes they seem to be like a scotch thats old enough to order its own scotch. Any think they still might be of use? Some are not fluid, some are. Reconstitute with water?

 

RfVR06.jpg

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Add water seal and let sit for a day or 2 then start stir until things start loosening up . You might want to invest in a kitchen stick blender for about $10 or so to help blend these back to a usable consistency. You'll need to screen the glazes and some may have hardened lumps from some ingredients crystallizing.

Put those aside in a bowl after screening and try dissolving them in a small amt of hot water, after dissolving, add this back to the glaze.

Test these glazes on some test tiles by themselves as well as in concert with out glazes you might be using. This will allow you to make a palette to refer back to.

I've had glazes dried out for years that I forgot about.They are as good today as when I made them, just some work to get them back to the right consistency

Hope this helps

Wyndham

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I was researching the brand to suggest contacting the manufacturer to see if some of these older products that may have contained lead prior to the industry shift away from that material.  The one place I found a reference indicated it has morphed into Mayco.  Who knows if that is true and if they could tell you if there are any "bad" materials in the underglazes. 

 

I also found that Pumpkin Yellow #123 is very popular for sale on EBay.  It appears that the Ebay store "ceramic-treasures" has corraled the last five bottles of the stuff and will let them go for $1.00 each :-)  They also market bisque from molds.  Maybe they can help you.

 

If you want to give the dried up underglazes a go, I have found that adding water to dried up material, letting it sit a day or two so it gets well saturated and then shaking the heck out of it has worked for me.  Sometimes you have to pour it out and mash it around to get stubborn dried bits incorprated.  I was gifted several bottles of dried underglazes and glazes that an arts center was going to throw out in the trash and all came back to usable.  If they get too wet, leave to top off and they will thicken up.  If you let them get thicker, there are techniques that use a higher viscosity to print with, or silk screen with.

 

If you decide you don't want to take a chance on unknown, you could fire them in a bisque bowl and dispose of the inert solid.

 

Next year I am going to have the opportunity to clean up as I move from my present home to my home on the lake to retire.  I have a whole basement to spread out into.  Maybe I will be able to find some of my hidden treasures again.

 

John

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I say test them all on some tiles. If they are under glazes, you would have to brush them onto leather hard clay. Most will probably fire up to cone six unless red or purple. Then make a bunch of pots and go crazy with dots and patterns. Get as loud as you can.

Might change your work.

TJR.

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Thank you everyone for your responses. TJR Ill have to give a tile fire a go. I finally have a pay check again so I know I can at least afford a firing. Feels good to not be too broke haha. Thats why I paused a bit when moving those jars of glaze, I kinda felt a maybe if. I could use a good boost and change of flow with what I do. Especially now since Im really aiming to make it a supplemented income.

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Thank you everyone for your responses. TJR Ill have to give a tile fire a go. I finally have a pay check again so I know I can at least afford a firing. Feels good to not be too broke haha. Thats why I paused a bit when moving those jars of glaze, I kinda felt a maybe if. I could use a good boost and change of flow with what I do. Especially now since Im really aiming to make it a supplemented income.

You would be surprised at how those colour tests will affect your work. The only flaw, is that you will run out of them.

TJR.

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