For Flux Sake – Details, episodes & analysis

In Episode 72, the gang discuss using acrylic paints on pottery. You'll learn when it's safe to use acrylics and find out the effects of firing temperature on your cold-finished pieces. Also we'll get into pyrometric cones yet again and break down the difference between cones and temperature readings. Why are those last crucial 100 degrees Celsius so important? And finally, we're discussing the benefits of bisque-firing underglazes. Discover how this step can help prevent color bleeding and other potential glaze flaws. Glazing problems? Kiln meltdown? Send your questions to [email protected] - you might hear the answer on the show!

This week’s episode features the following topics:            

Acrylic paint, painted ceramics, ceramic sculpture, cold finish, pyrometric cones, kiln firing, heatwork, temperature, underglaze, glaze flaws

Today’s episode is brought to you by Immaterial: 5000 years of Art, One Material at a Time, a podcast from the Met Museum.

We start today’s episode learning why self-supporting cones are crucial for accurate firings, as well as everything you need to know about using cone plaques, from proper placement to reusability. We also delve deep into the world of firing temperatures talking about how to achieve vibrant colors at cone 10 while exploring the influence of alkaline earth fluxes on chemistry. Have you been thinking of substituting feldspars in your glazes recently? Make sure to listen and learn about the importance of finding the perfect feldspar match to balance your glaze chemistry.

Confused about glazes or facing a kiln crisis? Don't suffer in silence! Send the For Flux Sake crew a voice memo or message with your question to [email protected] - your problem could be solved on-air!

Today’s episode is brought to you by the 28th Annual Bray Benefit Auction.

This week’s episode features the following topics:

Pyrometric cones, cones, kiln, firing temperature, firing atmosphere, cone 6 vs cone 10, blue glaze, green glaze, copper carbonate

This episode of Flux Sake is a technical delight! Rose and Matt unpack the fascinating world of commercial clay body profiling with Ceramic Material Workshop's ongoing research project. They'll unpack the different tests used and what they reveal about a clay body's performance. Need to know the perfect clay body and glazes for your project? We've got you covered! The gang tackles listener questions on finding durable materials for high-use barware and crafting long-lasting floor tiles. Feeling the spray gun frustration? You're not alone! The episode wraps up with solutions to a clogged spray gun, with insights from Kathy, Rose, and Matt on keeping your glaze application smooth.

Join the Flux Sake Crew Live! Catch the whole gang for a live recording at the NCECA conference in Richmond, VA on Friday, March 22nd at 11 am. Don't miss out!

Today’s episode is brought to you by:

Bray Poxy archiebrayclay.com

This week’s episode features the following topics:

Food Safety, Functional Ceramics, Utilitarian Ceramics, Dinnerware, Restaurant ware, Clay Durability, Glaze Durability, Coefficient of Friction, Ceramic Tile, Glaze Application, Glazing with spray gun

The For Flux Sake crew is gearing up for NCECA! Tune in to find out their plans and where you can catch them live at the conference. They also dive deep into listener questions, tackling concerns about lead leaching in your kiln from past firings and fish tank safety. Can your ceramic pieces pose a hidden danger for you or your aquatic friends? Learn the facts with us and stay safe!

Got a perplexing ceramic problem? Send the crew a voice memo with your question to [email protected] and they might just feature it on a future episode.

Today’s episode is brought to you by:

Bray Poxy archiebrayclay.com

This week’s episode features the following topics:

Lead, Leaching, Toxicity, Lead Toxicity, Lead Testing, Lead Leaching, NCECA, Studio Safety

On today’s episode the gang talk about deciphering the labels on your commercial glazes. They also answer listener questions about standard bisquing temperatures in the U.S., and if there is a toxicity risk when using lead glazed wares from the 19th century. If you need assistance with a ceramic chemistry problem, send us a voice memo with your question to [email protected].

Kathy, Matt, and Rose are excited to be participating in this year’s NCECA conference in Richmond, VA. Come on out and bring your friends for a live taping of the show on Friday March 22nd at 11 am. Hope to see you there.

Today’s episode is brought to you by:

Bray Poxy archiebrayclay.com

On today’s episode the gang talk about recycling clay, knowing how hot a slip or glaze can be fired, and tips for running a community studio. If you need assistance with a ceramic chemistry problem, send us a voice memo with your question to [email protected].

As we head into the new year, we are having a comment drive. This is one of the easiest ways to support this show, and the best part is that it’s totally free. To participate simply leave a review and a rating for the show on your favorite podcast app. Thanks everyone for listening and supporting the show!

Today’s episode is brought to you by:

The Bray www.archiebray.org

On today’s episode the gang answer an interesting question about the beauty of glaze flaws, as well as discussing fake reduction glazes using silicon carbide and making pots that are durable enough for restaurants. If you need assistance with a ceramic chemistry problem, send us a voice memo with your question to [email protected].

As we head into the new year, we are having a comment drive. This is one of the easiest ways to support this show, and the best part is that it’s totally free. To participate simply leave a review and a rating for the show on your favorite podcast app. Thanks everyone for listening and supporting the show!

Today’s episode is brought to you by:

The Rosenfield Collection of Functional Ceramic Art www.Rosenfieldcollection.com.

The Bray www.archiebray.org

Happy New Year from the For the Flux Sake gang! In today’s episode Kathy, Rose, and Matt answer three listener questions about kiln peeps, creating atmospheric effects in an electric kiln, and the best ways to test wild clay. If you need assistance with a ceramic chemistry problem, send us a voice memo with your question to [email protected].

As we head into the new year, we are having a comment drive. This is one of the easiest ways to support this show, and the best part is that it’s totally free. To participate simply leave a review and a rating for the show on your favorite podcast app. Thanks everyone for listening and supporting the show!

Today’s episode is brought to you by:

The Rosenfield Collection of Functional Ceramic Art www.Rosenfieldcollection.com.

The Bray www.archiebray.org

On today’s episode of For the Flux Sake the gang answer three listener questions about sieving glazes, burnishing clay, and wiping off bisque. If you have a ceramic chemistry problem you’d like help with, send us a voice memo with your question to [email protected]. Thanks everyone for listening in 2023. We look forward to having lots of new episodes for you in the upcoming year.

Hello For Flux Sake Listeners! Have you ever wondered what me mean when we talk about the unity molecular formula on the show? The UMF is a great way to understand glaze chemistry, and we talk all about it in our Glazed and Confused class. To show our appreciation for your listenership, we are offering a free lifetime membership to our Glazed and Confused class until the end of December. To sign up for FREE visit www.ceramicmaterialsworkshop.com and use the offer code “UMF” when you sign up. Happy Holidays!

Today’s episode is brought to you by:

AMACO Brent www.amaco.com

The Rosenfield Collection of Functional Ceramic Art www.Rosenfieldcollection.com.

The Bray www.archiebray.org

On today’s episode the gang talk about the end of Custer Feldspar. How do we all adjust to one of America’s most popular, and reasonably priced, feldspars going out of production? Hear more about potential substitutions and the ripple effect this will have on the ceramic community. If you have a ceramic chemistry problem you’d like help with, send us a voice memo with your question to [email protected].

Today’s episode is brought to you by:

AMACO Brent www.amaco.com

The Rosenfield Collection of Functional Ceramic Art www.Rosenfieldcollection.com.

The Bray www.archiebray.org

Hello For Flux Sake Listeners! Have you ever wondered what me mean when we talk about the unity molecular formula on the show? The UMF is a great way to understand glaze chemistry, and we talk all about it in our Glazed and Confused class. To show our appreciation for your listenership, we are offering a free lifetime membership to our Glazed and Confused class until the end of December. To sign up for FREE visit www.ceramicmaterialsworkshop.com and use the offer code “UMF” when you sign up. Happy Holidays!