Episodes

  • Are there budget-friendly black and purple glazes?
    Feb 13 2025

    Have you ever tried to create budget-friendly glazes? It can be hard, especially when you want rich purples and blacks. This week the gang talk about ways to save money in your glaze lab, and how tariffs might affect the supply chain. They also start the episode commiserating on how cold it is this time of year in New England, and what to do if your clay freezes. Do you have questions or need advice on glazes? Drop us a line at ForFluxSakePodcast@gmail.com and you could be featured on an upcoming show.

    This week’s episode features the following topics:

    Frozen clay, glaze lab, glaze chemistry on a budget, purple, black


    Today's episode is brought to you by Cornell Studio Supply and the Rosenfield Collection of Ceramic Art.

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    36 mins
  • How can I measure thermal expansion?
    Feb 6 2025

    Have you noticed thermal expansion measurements on your clay or glaze recipes? If so you might be wondering what those measurements mean, and how you use them to predict glaze fit on a clay body. This week the gang discuss thermal expansion and why those numeric values aren’t always so helpful. They also answer a listener question about glazes with rare earth elements. Do you have questions or need advice on glazes? Drop us a line at ForFluxSakePodcast@gmail.com and you could be featured on an upcoming show.

    This week’s episode features the following topics:

    Thermal expansion, glaze fit, clay body, rare earth elements, Praseodymium, Neodymium, Erbium


    Today's episode is brought to you by Cornell Studio Supply and the Rosenfield Collection of Ceramic Art.

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    30 mins
  • How can I get the best firing out of my new kiln?
    Jan 29 2025

    New kilns bring lots of excitement to the studio, but also a few questions. Should I calibrate my thermocouple? And, Do I need to adjust my firing rate to my new elements? This episode the gang talk about new kilns, ASTM standards for ware, and the difference between K23 and K26 soft bricks. They also start the show discussing testing methods for glaze durability. Do you have questions or need advice on glazes? Drop us a line at ForFluxSakePodcast@gmail.com and you could be featured on an upcoming show.

    This week’s episode features the following topics:

    Thermocouple, New Kiln, commercial kiln, K26, K23, bricks

    Today's episode is brought to you by Cornell Studio Supply and the Rosenfield Collection of Ceramic Art.

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    33 mins
  • Fluxed Up with Pattie Chalmers
    Jan 22 2025

    Get ready for a wild ride in the studio with ceramic artist Pattie Chalmers! In this episode of our Fluxed Up series, we dive into the precarious world of ceramics filled with personal stories, studio mishaps, and the ever-elusive perfect glaze. Join us as Pattie shares a mishap with clay formulation, as well as how she teaches her students at Southern Illinois University Carbondale to be resourceful in the glaze lab. Tune in for a dose of humor, technical tips, and a behind-the-scenes look at the life of a ceramic artist. Got questions or need advice? Drop us a line at ForFluxSakePodcast@gmail.com

    This week’s episode features the following topics:

    Wollastonite, material shortage, clay formula, terracotta, earthenware, sgraffito

    Today's episode is brought to you by Cornell Studio Supply and the Rosenfield Collection of Ceramic Art.

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    36 mins
  • What’s up with all those pinholes?
    Jan 15 2025

    Pin holes are a pesky issue in ceramics, largely because multiple glaze defects are often called pinholes. The gang talk about the myriad issues with pinholes, and if you can fix them on an already fired pot. They also discuss why commercial glazes have wide firing ranges. They start the show laughing and questioning the existence of removable ceramic stickers. Do you have questions or need advice on glazes? Drop us a line at ForFluxSakePodcast@gmail.com and you could be featured on an upcoming show.

    This week’s episode features the following topics:

    pin holes, glaze void, refiring, reglazing, glaze temperature range, commercial glaze

    Today's episode is brought to you by Bailey Pottery Equipment and Cornell Studio Supply.

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    34 mins
  • How can I make a speckled clay body?
    Dec 18 2024

    Speckled clay bodies have come roaring back in popularity and in this episode our intrepid clay experts talk about what you can add to your clay body to create this phenomenon. They also talk about plucking and why potassium fluxes are best for clay bodies. To start the show the gang introduce the mysterious case of the A.I. glaze book. Do you have questions or need advice on glazes? Drop us a line at ForFluxSakePodcast@gmail.com and you could be featured on an upcoming show.

    As the end of the year approaches, we are asking you to donate to the Brickyard Network. You can help this show and our network of ceramic podcasts by supporting the Archie Bray Foundation with your tax-deductible donation. Thanks so much and happy holidays!

    This week’s episode features the following topics:

    Plucking, ilmenite, clay body, sodium, potassium, glaze books, manganese

    Today's episode is brought to you by Bailey Pottery Equipment and Archie Bray Residency.

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    30 mins
  • Do I have to glaze my pieces?
    Dec 11 2024

    Today’s episode features a simple question. Do I have to glaze my pieces? The FFS gang talk about unglazed surfaces, and also discuss what triggers vitrification during firing. To start the episode, they also gab about Producer Ben’s new book on low-fire glazes for potters and sculptors. Do you have questions or need advice on glazes? Drop us a line at ForFluxSakePodcast@gmail.com and you could be featured on an upcoming show.

    This week’s episode features the following topics:

    Low fire, vitrification, underglaze, vitreous slip, terracotta, dunting, glaze tension

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    34 mins
  • How do you make ceramic bakeware?
    Dec 4 2024

    Have you ever wanted to bake bread in one of your pots? Today the gang answer a listener's question about the best way to make ceramic bakeware. They also discuss a new trend in environmental design and why using sodium fluxes in clay bodies can cause trouble when reclaiming clay. Do you have questions or need advice on glazes? Drop us a line at ForFluxSakePodcast@gmail.com and you could be featured on an upcoming show.

    This week’s episode features the following topics:

    Bread, Sourdough, bakeware, spodumene, lithium, clay body, reclaim clay

    Today's episode is brought to you by Bailey Pottery Equipment and Archie Bray Residency.

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    32 mins