Expert: Sam Kelly - 11/4/2008

Question
QUESTION: I made some buttons from a clay that a friend gave me. She wasn't sure what it was, so she gave it to me.  It's white, I know its not much help. I made some buttons and I want to fire them and then glaze them.  I have a glass kiln, which is electronically controlled and it goes by degrees not cones.  I just want to doodle a little bit. I know that I will get hooked, but maybe I will combine glass and clay.

ANSWER: Hi Candice, what is the maximum temperature you can fire to in your kiln that you are comfortable with

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QUESTION: My temperature will do 2000 degrees. I have gone as high as 1750 to stir glass.

Answer
Hi Candace, You will have to do low fire glaze and clay. i would not recommend firing to the maximum all the time as it will considerably shorten the life of your kiln.

Here is a temp. converter http://www.wbuf.noaa.gov/tempfc.htm

1000degc is the normal bisque firing for earthenware and stoneware clays, which is about what you have fired your kiln to(1750). You should be looking at a clay that matures around this temp otherwise your buttons will break. Cone 06 is 1000DegC

Go here and look at the low fire clay available from Laguna. http://www.lagunaclay.com/clays/guide/low-fire.php

Sam