For Flux Sake

Matt and Rose Katz of the Ceramics Materials Workshop and Kathy King of the Ceramics Program at Harvard University discuss listener questions about clay and glaze. This show will have you laughing and learning about the chemistry behind ceramics in no time.

What makes a glaze have a wide firing range?

Have you ever wondered why some glazes have a wide firing range? Today the gang talk about this phenomenon, answer listener questions about adding stains to clay bodies, and discuss underglaze application. This episode also starts with a trip to Materials Corner along with a check in from a listener about the porosity of flower pots. 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.   Have you checked out the new For Flux Sake Patreon? This is a great way to show your support and have access to discounted merch, live hangouts, and extra episodes. Head over to Patreon and sign up today.    Today's episode is brought to you by Monkey Stuff, The Rosenfield Collection, Cornell Studio Supply, and Ceramic Materials Workshop’s Making Glaze Make Sense.   This week’s episode features the following topics: Firing range, materials corner, frit 3134, flower pots, underglaze, brushing glaze  

09-10
36:40

What defines low-fire ceramics?

We are back for season 5 of the show with a low-fire themed episode. Today the gang talk about a few parameters that define low-fire ceramics, as well as how de-airing pug mills work. They also start the show talking about the brand new For Flux Sake Patreon. This is a great way to show your support and have access to discounted merch, live hangouts, and extra episodes. Head over to Patreon and sign up today.    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.   Today's episode is brought to you by Monkey Stuff, The Rosenfield Collection, Cornell Studio Supply, and Ceramic Materials Workshop’s Making Glaze Make Sense.   This week’s episode features the following topics: Low-fire, terracotta, pugmill, de-airing, wedge, vitrification  

09-03
40:30

How does a kiln sitter work?

Do you remember the joys of using a kiln sitter? Those mini cones were so cute until you dropped one in the bottom of a fully loaded kiln. Even though manufacturers have shifted to computer controlled models, sitters were a key part of electric kilns for decades. Today on the show the gang answer listener questions about firing a kiln with a kiln sitter and making your own decals. Rose also reads a hilarious story about a clay plasticity experiment gone wrong. 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 episode is the last of the season. We will take a summer break for the month of August and be back to start season five in September.    Today's episode is brought to you by Monkey Stuff, The Rosenfield Collection, Snow Farm: The New England Craft Program, and Cornell Studio Supply.   This week’s episode features the following topics: Kiln sitter, cones, electric kiln, decals, plasticity, clay formulation  

07-16
39:04

How can you tell if a glaze is fully melted?

Today your favorite glaze experts answer a listener's question about judging the melt of an ash glaze, methods for wet mixing bentonite, and whether or not it's safe to use industrial dinnerware made before lead was regulated. They also open the show talking about why you should never crush encapsulated stains. 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.   Today's episode is brought to you by Monkey Stuff, The Rosenfield Collection, Snow Farm: The New England Craft Program, and Cornell Studio Supply.   This week’s episode features the following topics: Ash glaze, glaze melt, bentonite, macaloid, lead test, encapsulated stain

07-09
35:42

Are metallic glazes similar to melted metal?

Have you ever wondered what makes a bronze glaze work? This week on the show the gang answer a listener's question about metallic oxides in glazes, and discuss the finer points of what makes a pinhole a pinhole. 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.   Today's episode is brought to you by Cornell Studio Supply and Ceramic Materials Workshop Consulting.   This week’s episode features the following topics: Pin holing, metallic oxides, bronze glazes, cobalt crystalline glazes, crystalline glaze

07-02
37:20

Can you adjust a cone 6 glaze up to cone 10?

Have you ever found the perfect glaze, but it is formulated for a different temperature? Today the gang talk about adjusting glazes from cone 6 up to cone 10, and how you might tell if your kiln can handle going to cone 10. They also start the episode checking in about their summer plans. 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.   Today's episode is brought to you by Cornell Studio Supply and Ceramic Materials Workshop Consulting.   This week’s episode features the following topics: Cone 6, Cone 10, Bristol glaze, kiln, elements

06-20
32:23

Does how tight a kiln is packed affect its final temperature?

Have you noticed how a tight kiln pack can slightly change your cones? In this week’s episode the gang talk about why this happens, as well as answer a listener’s question about firing a balloon inside of a ceramic sculpture. 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 episode is made in memory of Megan Whetstine, a beloved member of the For Flux Sake and Ceramic Materials Workshop family. Her sense of humor and creativity will be deeply missed.   This week’s episode features the following topics: Mentorship, kiln packing, cones, balloon, carbon   Today's episode is brought to you by Cornell Studio Supply and Ceramic Materials Workshop Consulting.

06-11
25:12

What does vinegar do to clay?

Have you ever wondered why vinegar is added to joining slip? This week on the show the gang talk about the use of vinegar in the studio and the absorption rates of blending reclaimed clays. They also answer a listener's question about glazing terracotta flower pots. 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: Vinegar, Vitrification, reclaim, absorption, terracotta flowerpots Today's episode is brought to you by Cornell Studio Supply and Ceramic Materials Workshop Consulting.    

06-05
33:43

Fluxed Up with Steven Young Lee

Get ready for a wild ride in the studio with ceramic artist Steve Lee! 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 Steven shares about his path to harnessing failure to create his beautiful porcelain forms, as well as his time as director of the Archie Bray Foundation and his role in starting the Brickyard Network. 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: Porcelain, Archie Bray Foundation, Brickyard Network, gas firing Today's episode is brought to you by Cornell Studio Supply and Ceramic Materials Workshop Consulting.

05-21
51:42

Are ceramic sealers safe to use on functional ceramics?

Today we return to the much loved topic of glaze durability on For Flux Sake. Kathy, Matt, and Rose start by talking about the long term durability of Bristol glazes. Then they delve into listener questions about ceramic sealers and substituting for Gerstley Borate in Raku glazes. 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: Glaze durability, Bristol glaze, ceramic sealer, tile sealer, Gerstley Borate, Gillespie Borate Today's episode is brought to you by Cornell Studio Supply and the newly translated Spanish version of Ceramic Materials Workshop The Middle Glazes.

05-14
29:54

Episode 100!

Today we are celebrating the 100th episode of For Flux Sake! We’d like to thank the listeners for their excellent questions and for following along as the show has evolved over the last four years. To start this episode Kathy, Matt, and Rose share a few things they have learned making the show. They also answer listener questions about aging your glazes and single firing. 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: Bisque Firing, single firing, aging glazes, glaze Today's episode is brought to you by Cornell Studio Supply and the newly translated Spanish version of Ceramic Materials Workshop The Middle Glazes.

05-07
28:03

Fluxed Up with Susan Feagin

Get ready for a wild ride in the studio with ceramic artist Susan Feagin! 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 Susan shares funny stories about working at the Penland School of Craft, as well as how she creates brightly colored slips for soda firing. 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: Soda Firing, Slip, Penland, glaze, cone 6 Today's episode is brought to you by Cornell Studio Supply and the newly translated Spanish version of Ceramic Materials Workshop The Middle Glazes.

04-23
41:25

When do glazes actually melt during the firing?

Have you ever wondered when the magic happens during the firing? This week on the show the gang talk about the last 100 degrees C of the firing when glazes generally do their melting. They also answer a listener's question about thermocouples placement, and take a trip to Materials Corner to talk about Frit 3110. 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: Firing, Frit 3110, Thermocouple, Materials Corner, glaze melting, boron Today's episode is brought to you by Cornell Studio Supply and the newly translated Spanish version of Ceramic Materials Workshop The Middle Glazes.

04-17
31:58

Who are we?

This show has been going on for so long that the gang thought they should reintroduce themselves. Kathy, Matt, and Rose start the show talking about the experiences that lead them into a life of clay. They also answer a listener's question about calcining 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: Kaolin, calcining, Alfred, Connecticut College Today's episode is brought to you by Cornell Studio Supply and the newly translated Spanish version of Ceramic Materials Workshop The Middle Glazes.

04-09
35:58

Fluxed Up with Meredith Host

Get ready for a wild ride in the studio with ceramic artist Meredith Host! 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 Meredith shares about working with decals and layered underglaze, as well as how she had to pivot away from her favorite glaze in the middle of a major commission. 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: Underglaze, crawling, decals, Kitten’s Clear, Cone 6, pattern Today's episode is brought to you by Cornell Studio Supply and the newly translated Spanish version of Ceramic Materials Workshop The Middle Glazes.

03-25
37:47

What should we know about cristobalite and quartz inversion?

Cristobalite and quartz inversion are the great boogie men of ceramics, often being used to explain cracking clay, glaze fit issues, and general ceramic mayhem. In this episode the gang sort fact from fiction and explain the changes that silica goes through during firing. They also start the episode talking about Matt’s amazing new computer keyboard, which has beautiful celadon-glazed porcelain keys. 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: Porcelain, celadon, cristobalite, quartz inversion, silica Today's episode is brought to you by Cornell Studio Supply and the Rosenfield Collection of Ceramic Art.  

03-06
31:46

Fluxed Up with Paul Andrew Wandless

Get ready for a wild ride in the studio with ceramic artist Paul Andrew Wandless! 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 Paul shares about making casting slips out of dark clay bodies, as well as how he builds with cast slabs for extra strength and durability. 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: Glaze testing, print making, underglaze, dark clay bodies, slip casting, deflocculation Today's episode is brought to you by Cornell Studio Supply and the Rosenfield Collection of Ceramic Art.

02-20
41:09

Are there budget-friendly black and purple glazes?

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.

02-13
35:43

How can I measure thermal expansion?

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.    

02-06
30:22

How can I get the best firing out of my new kiln?

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.  

01-29
33:00

valerie brady

I've been making pottery for 15 years or more but have always relied on community studio glazes or ones that were commercial bought. even thought I have picked up some great info over the years, this pod cast explains issues and questions in an understandable and fun and thorough way...Matt, Rose and Kathy are clearly enjoying their conversations.

03-24 Reply

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