Ceramic Art Dover

Follow for glaze making pics and results from #Raku #Firing - thanks to our partners @Future_Foundry and to @BritSciAssoc @ScienceWeekUK. Join us in May for #ClayDate2 and the #NationalRakuParty #HeyClay thanks to @leachpottery #Dover #CeramicCluster People: @freyjaaaaaa

If glazes had no Stabilisers they would melt so well they would run off the pots and into a puddle on the kiln shelf! Stabilisers (Alumina and Boron) help stiffen the glaze so it can melt to a nice glass but not run off the pot. With @ScienceWeekUK Sculptures: @freyjaaaaaa

To avoid having to fire at such high temperature a flux is used in glazes. Think of flux as a little gremlin that helps make glazes melt. Lower temperature glazes need more flux.

3 main glaze components: GlassFormers, 
Fluxes
 Stabilisers. Glass-formers mostly come from Silica- it's the part of the glaze which actually forms the glass. There are a few technical variations but it's basically just sand! Pot + Heart #GemmaDyer + #Rainna from @PotteryThrow

When there is a lack of #oxygen, the fuel does not burn completely and the kiln atmosphere becomes filled with #freecarbon. The free carbon atoms are so #o2 hungry they'll grab any #o2 atoms they can find breaking molecular bonds - literally robbing the clay and glaze of #oxygen.

We have a week of activities with @Future_Foundry in Dover exploring the #ScienceBehindCeramics for @ScienceWeekUK with #kilnconstruction #RakuFirings #GlazeMaking with #Rainna from @PotteryThrow Thanks to @BritSciAssoc

Here at #CeramicArtDover we are known for our HOT #Raku #Kiln skills. Here’s a short video by @freyjaaaaaa explaining the process... Follow us and @Future_Foundry for a week of the Science behind ceramics! @BritSciAssoc @ScienceWeekUK @ace_national @kentculture

Charting firing times for #britishscienceweek @BritSciAssoc @ScienceWeekUK The temperature along + composition + preparation of the clay determines the final outcome. Ceramics need at least two firings, one before glazing + one after. Graphics @freyjaaaaaa with @Future_Foundry

We've been taking part in #BritishScienceWeek in partnership with @Future_Foundry looking at the Science behind ceramics! Starting with Clay! Graphics @freyjaaaaaa Thanks to @BritSciAssoc @ScienceWeekUK and all our makers #Raku #EverydayScientist @ace_national @kentculture