Test Glazes- Some Great Combos

 Here are a few of the test glaze combos that I really liked from my first glaze cone 6 firing.  My test glazes traveled with me for the trip to my parent's house the last few days.  Family helped me pick some good glaze combos and I agree with their choices.  All of these are on starrworks starrwhite clay.
Above:  Left tile:  Burke's celadon;  Right tile: Bluegrass on left triangle of tile; Leah Leitson's Chun's Celadon on right triangle.  Looks like the celadon is running over the bluegrass easily.
In this, I'm looking for transparent glazes.  I want something that is similiar to what is above at the top of this blog, a color that one can see through to see the words written on the outside of the pieces.

Left tile:  Leah Leitson's Chun Celadon (double dipped on top)

Right tile: Floating Blue (double dipped on top) 

Here's another glaze combo I like:

Left tile:  Leah Leitson's Chun Celadon and then the top part dipped in Leah Leitson's Chun Light Blue
Right tile: Floating Blue- (double dipped on top)
As you can see, I put a cross stop in the middle of each tile and particularly on the left, you can see the underglaze shining through.  The stamps are to see if the glaze is transparent.

 Here's another one I'll use someday.
Left tile: Bluegrass
Right tile:  Caribbean Sea Green (double dipped on top)

What fun this is!  I admit that it helps and is incredibly inspiring to see my niece and nephew have so much fun playing with the test tiles and having so much fun.  They are the best!
Today I mixed 500 grams of one of the glazes.  Tomorrow another, and then adding water, and the sifting begins!  My hope is to have two glaze firings done by next Tuesday when I leave for a conference with colleagues who are interested in buying some pottery; Tuesday, a lofty but attainable goal!
Thanks for reading.  It's always good to hear your wisdom and comments.  Loving the pottery world!

Long Week and Glaze Test Results....

 Here's a quick snapshot of the glaze test tile results.  More details soon.  Overall, I'm pleased, yet I wish more combinations were ones that were transparent.

 It has been a busy week.  Monday morning I learned that my grandma (mother's mother) had passed after declining health.  She was 90, I believe.  I have had the privilege of knowing all four grandparents; all have lived into their 90's and one is still living.  As I write, I'm in PA for a short visit.  Memorial service was beautiful and I must say that it helps immensely at a memorial service to have a 3 year old sitting next to you to watch.  Really!  It is wonderful to be with family; only wish our time together was longer.

Times like this remind me how life is short and how time with family is what it's all about.  I'm so thankful that I get to see my parents, siblings, nieces and nephews at least 4 times a year and usually, like this year, more!  Thanksgiving cannot come sooner.  If only I could bring my studio with me!  In the meantime, I do what I can to keep the family updated about pottery happenings.  Garrett (1 3/4) loved helping me choose the next glaze combinations for my first round of pots.  How I love this boy!  More details about test tiles, glazes, etc. next week.  I have a mid-October deadline for some bowls, so it will be a busy week mixing glazes.  Thanks for all your comments and for continuing to read, despite the gaps in blog posts.

Test Glaze Firing! Results soon...

 Here's what I put into the kiln this pm.  18 test tiles, witness cones, and a teabowl with two shades of test glaze.  I spent part of the week mixing and applying kiln wash to the shelves.  One coat.
Cone 6 firing with medium speed and 2 hours preheat.

Will add another coat once the shelves go through one firing.  No, I didn't put kiln wash on the posts.  Took this picture late after I had cleaned up. Will post results tomorrow evening!

Blue/Green Test Glazes and Kiln Wash Recipe

 This afternoon I made about 15 test tiles.  The three on the right in this picture need to be coated, but the other 15 are set.  So, 18 in all with combos from 8 different blue/green celadon like glazes.  Some are transparent, some not.  Am really interested in how all this turns out.  Really like the floating blue glaze and the Leah Leitson chun celadon glaze.  Time will tell which one I use in a bunch of bowls and teabowls that are waiting to wear glaze.   Most of all, am looking for a celadon that is transparent so the writing on my bowls will show up.

I'll be doing the test glaze firing this weekend.  I also mixed some kiln wash today.  Here's the recipe I used, which I got from John Britt, found online.

50% alumina hydrate
25% EPK (calcined)
25% EPK
Additive:
1-2 %  G-200 Feldspar.   (I used 1.5% this time).

Will any test glaze firing wisdom?  I'm all for learning from your pottery experience.
Thanks for reading!