Expert: Sam Kelly - 8/9/2009

Question
Hi,

My name is Joanna and i have been doing pottery for a while.  When i was in school and we glazed our pieces the glaze dried very quickly and we were able to handle the glazed piece.  Now at my home when i glaze my bisqued pieces the glaze stays wet on the piece for hours sometimes.  The glaze then, once fired, is very thin and sometimes the colors dont show.  We think the glaze bucket could have too much water mixed in, but it looks and feels like it is the right consistency.  i dont know if it has to do with the bisque firing of the clay or what.  Any advice you could offer would be great, thanks!
-Joanna Atcitty

Answer
Hi Joanna, Glaze not drying is an indication that the bisque has been fired to high. Get one of your bisque pieces and touch it with the end of your tounge, if you don't get a sticking sensation, the pot sucking the moisture off the tip of your tounge its been fired to high.

Try someone elses bisqued piece from a different kiln than the one you use in your glaze and compare.

Sam