[Fall 2026] Understanding Glaze Chemistry (8-weeks)
[Fall 2026] Understanding Glaze Chemistry (8-weeks)
Instructor : Monica Wilson
DATE: 9/26 to 11/21 Saturday Time TBD, no class 10/31 (8-weeks)
Freshen up on glaze formulation basics and begin to understand how glazes truly work with weekly slide lectures, hands-on research, and cone 6 glaze firing. Take control of your glaze chemistry knowledge and begin to design your very own glazes.
In this 8 week course you will learn the specifics of what materials and what proportions are involved in designing a durable glaze and you will begin to see how basic glaze materials, Calcium, Magnesium, Strontium, Barium, and Zinc control color. You will learn how to systematically test your materials and how to catalog and present your findings for future use. You will become familiar with using a Unity Molecular Calculator and begin to understand how to read a map that will predict all of your glaze surfaces before you fire them: The Stull Map.
Maximum capacity: 9 students per class
$450 tuition includes all material, firings, and open studio.
Experience:
What is your level of experience with Glaze Chemistry? Email Monica at monicarickhoffwilson@gmail.com, say hello and let me know what your experience level is.
1. No Experience and new to ceramics. No idea what glaze is made of.
2. Some Experience. Glazes are made of powdered rocks.
3. Experience! To make a glaze you need 4 components: Feldspar, Carbonate, Clay, Flint. Supplies: Notebook, computer with Excel, N95 mask, gloves, sharpies.
Open Studio:
Open studio hours are open for glaze weighing and mixing. Please ask when you have questions. The owner of Clay Work Studio, Yiu Keung Lee, is often in the studio and will answer additional questions you have or you may call or text my number. We use the “Hand-Building” Google Calendar to sign up for studio hours outside of class. You may extend your stay after class by signing up on the google calendar. You will have access to the Hand-Building Calendar for reserving a space for glazing. We have a total of 2 scales. Glaze mixing sessions need to be 3-4 hours long. Please keep all of your tiles marked and stored on the “GLAZE CLASS” shelving.