For Flux Sake

Mar 05 2025 98 ep. 36 mins 257

For Flux Sake Podcast artwork

Matt and Rose Katz of the Ceramics Materials Workshop and Kathy King of the Ceramics Program at Harvard University discuss listener questions about clay and glaze. This show will have you laughing and learning about the chemistry behind ceramics in no time.

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What should we know about cristobalite and quartz inversion?

Mar 05 2025 31 mins

Cristobalite and quartz inversion are the great boogie men of ceramics, often being used to explain cracking clay, glaze fit issues, and general ceramic mayhem. In this episode the gang sort fact from fiction and explain the changes that silica goes through during firing. They also start the episode talking about Matt’s amazing new computer keyboard, which has beautiful celadon-g

Fluxed Up with Paul Andrew Wandless

Feb 19 2025 41 mins

Get ready for a wild ride in the studio with ceramic artist Paul Andrew Wandless! In this episode of our Fluxed Up series, we dive into the precarious world of ceramics filled with personal stories, studio mishaps, and the ever-elusive perfect glaze. Join us as Paul shares about making casting slips out of dark clay bodies, as well as how he builds with cast slabs for extra strengt

Are there budget-friendly black and purple glazes?

Feb 12 2025 35 mins

Have you ever tried to create budget-friendly glazes? It can be hard, especially when you want rich purples and blacks. This week the gang talk about ways to save money in your glaze lab, and how tariffs might affect the supply chain. They also start the episode commiserating on how cold it is this time of year in New England, and what to do if your clay freezes. Do you have questi

How can I measure thermal expansion?

Feb 05 2025 30 mins

Have you noticed thermal expansion measurements on your clay or glaze recipes? If so you might be wondering what those measurements mean, and how you use them to predict glaze fit on a clay body. This week the gang discuss thermal expansion and why those numeric values aren’t always so helpful. They also answer a listener question about glazes with rare earth elements. Do you hav

How can I get the best firing out of my new kiln?

Jan 29 2025 33 mins

New kilns bring lots of excitement to the studio, but also a few questions. Should I calibrate my thermocouple? And, Do I need to adjust my firing rate to my new elements? This episode the gang talk about new kilns, ASTM standards for ware, and the difference between K23 and K26 soft bricks. They also start the show discussing testing methods for glaze durability. Do you have quest

Fluxed Up with Pattie Chalmers

Jan 22 2025 36 mins

Get ready for a wild ride in the studio with ceramic artist Pattie Chalmers! In this episode of our Fluxed Up series, we dive into the precarious world of ceramics filled with personal stories, studio mishaps, and the ever-elusive perfect glaze. Join us as Pattie shares a mishap with clay formulation, as well as how she teaches her students at Southern Illinois University Carbondal

What’s up with all those pinholes?

Jan 15 2025 34 mins

Pin holes are a pesky issue in ceramics, largely because multiple glaze defects are often called pinholes. The gang talk about the myriad issues with pinholes, and if you can fix them on an already fired pot. They also discuss why commercial glazes have wide firing ranges. They start the show laughing and questioning the existence of removable ceramic stickers. Do you have question

How can I make a speckled clay body?

Dec 18 2024 30 mins

Speckled clay bodies have come roaring back in popularity and in this episode our intrepid clay experts talk about what you can add to your clay body to create this phenomenon. They also talk about plucking and why potassium fluxes are best for clay bodies. To start the show the gang introduce the mysterious case of the A.I. glaze book. Do you have questions or need advice on glaze

Do I have to glaze my pieces?

Dec 11 2024 33 mins

Today’s episode features a simple question. Do I have to glaze my pieces? The FFS gang talk about unglazed surfaces, and also discuss what triggers vitrification during firing. To start the episode, they also gab about Producer Ben’s new book on low-fire glazes for potters and sculptors. Do you have questions or need advice on glazes? Drop us a line at ForFluxSakePodcast@gmai

How do you make ceramic bakeware?

Dec 04 2024 32 mins

Have you ever wanted to bake bread in one of your pots? Today the gang answer a listener's question about the best way to make ceramic bakeware. They also discuss a new trend in environmental design and why using sodium fluxes in clay bodies can cause trouble when reclaiming clay. Do you have questions or need advice on glazes? Drop us a line at ForFluxSakePodcast@gmail.com and you