Expert: Sam Kelly - 8/15/2008

Question
do you always have to do a glaze firing ? what happens if I choose to bisque only (because I like the look better..color and texture) it is a non functional piece I am speaking of, but I am worried it will be fragile if I don't fire it again

Answer
Hi Jill,
No there is no rule to say you have to apply a glaze or fire above bisque. Many studio potters do not glaze thier work and there are many different processes for effects that do not involve the application of a covering glaze.
Yes the lower the temperature the more fragile the pot is, however there is nothing to say you can't fire the piece to the maturing temperature, thier does not have to be a glaze used to do this. I have seen many beautiful unglazed porcelain pieces fired to thier maturity of 1300degC.
If you choose to fire to bisque only and treat this as the finished piece ready for display as your art then so be it, your the artist.

Sam

FOLLOW UP:
If you like a particular color of the clay you can also stain the clay body. Different body stain colors are avaliable from pottery suppliers. You can wedge the dry stain powder into the wet clay or you can dry the clay out completely, add the stain powder, mix it all together with water and dry it out on a plaster bat or hang it inside a pillow slip on the clothes line untill its the consistency you want.