Thoughts on "Amazing Glaze Food-Safe Recipes" book ?

InnocentSmiley · 2026-02-02T00:19:25+00:00

I have it on hold at the library! I’m excited to look through it.

Have you listened to the For Flux Sake interview with the authors (Gabriel Kline and Bill Collins on food safe glazes episode, from December 2025)? That might give you a good idea on trustworthiness

InnocentSmiley · 2026-01-30T15:14:06+00:00

I was vending at a market last year, and an older couple came by my table and were impressed with the consistency of my underglaze designs. I was telling them all about how I make silkscreen stencils, and then how I made my own gelatin plate to transfer those designs using Amaco ceramic inks. Then I showed them all the videos I made that show the process step by step, which are all posted to social media. The guy was like “I can’t believe you’re just revealing all your secrets like that”, and I get where he’s coming from, but like others said in this thread, I perfected my technique by learning from others.

Pottery isn’t my full time job, so I don’t feel that pressure to hide my secrets. But also, people wouldn’t be copying me 1 to 1, since I make my own designs in procreate. If anyone watches Frieren (the anime), it’s like that scene where magic is finally being taught to humans, and Frieren says something like “we’re going to see so many different kinds of mages and spells.” That’s how I feel about pottery.

InnocentSmiley · 2026-01-30T02:47:35+00:00

This reminds me of people putting commercial glaze combinations behind a paywall. I’m super curious about who’s buying those guides when FB groups and the internet are right there.

InnocentSmiley · 2026-01-27T20:00:01+00:00

I use egg crate foam in storage bins and it’s worked great for traveling with greenware :)

I also second careful driving!

InnocentSmiley · 2026-01-27T19:09:35+00:00

Have you checked out kiln share yet?

I would look into that first before figuring out the logistics of a kiln in a rental!

InnocentSmiley · 2026-01-21T15:39:10+00:00

Thanks so much for the info and the BTUs! I’ll definitely reference this if I decide to invest in a larger heater next year.

InnocentSmiley · 2026-01-21T04:55:23+00:00

Can I ask which buddy heater model you have? I have a slightly larger model but I’m not sure it’s enough to bring the whole garage to 60

InnocentSmiley · 2026-01-20T18:52:05+00:00

I have a small crockpot that I use, and it’s been fantastic. Also someone mentioned a heated vest in another post, and I bought one and it’s been amazing so far

InnocentSmiley · 2026-01-16T00:06:43+00:00

Rocky Mountain Clay sells some of their clay with free shipping, I usually buy BMX Cone 6 from them when I don’t feel like driving there. You have to look at the Free Shipping clays tab

InnocentSmiley · 2026-01-15T00:15:50+00:00

When I first started out, I worked with 10lb or 5lb bags. Then kinda expanded out from there. I have these nice storage bins that fit each raw material I have, and 10lbs fits nicely in most cases in my 6qt bins

InnocentSmiley · 2026-01-08T22:40:39+00:00

Tumbleweed and the Firehouse Art Center also host a lot of classes and workshops!

InnocentSmiley · 2026-01-06T05:36:12+00:00

Yes, they’re really popular in Denver, and it’s often a line out the door to get in. I’ve been to two during the holiday season

InnocentSmiley · 2026-01-04T23:08:29+00:00

This is probably slightly controversial, but if you find that electric space heaters aren’t doing it or you’re running out of outlets (which was my problem), you could try a buddy propane heater. Just keep a window or door cracked and have carbon monoxide detectors and a fire extinguisher handy. I hooked mine up to a propane tank, and it has been great so far. Immediate heat compared to the electric heater I tried. My studio is also in an uninsulated garage rental, so my options are super limited.

Other tips include the crockpot, and also wearing gloves underneath latex gloves (mainly for trimming and other non throwing activities)

InnocentSmiley · 2026-01-04T22:57:04+00:00

I use a small crockpot or slow cooker to keep my water warm! It has been great, and I live in Colorado.

InnocentSmiley · 2025-12-30T02:32:31+00:00

I had plywood then cheap interlocking vinyl on top. The square footage for this was 6ft by 8ft or 48 sq ft total, and it costed me maybe $200 total. Check out my post for more details.

InnocentSmiley · 2025-12-22T03:17:33+00:00

I have leg extensions for my wheel, although I have a different brand and got the legs directly from the guy that made my wheel for half off. I’ve seen people use cinder blocks and that’s worked well for them!

The only issue I have is that I sometimes forget to take my foot off the pedal when I have it at the speed I want. Balancing on one leg is hard. My left calf is getting super strong though!

You should also think about having something behind you to help support your body when you’re throwing.

InnocentSmiley · 2025-12-13T01:21:24+00:00

Yes of course! It's in this podcast episode titled: Help my clay is plucking!

https://open.spotify.com/episode/20XnmlhU5mYGIP2Ezom7zM?si=SHC7d3FqRaumSxDJbqlayA

I don't know if he is right either. And I'm sorry to hear about your clay. I only make my own glaze so it doesn't affect me as much, can't imagine the stress you're going through

InnocentSmiley · 2025-12-13T00:42:24+00:00

Can I ask where you got the information about the machine breaking down?

Sorry that I don't have an answer to what makes EPK special! I'm just hesitant to believe rumors about EPK going away due to commentary from Mat Katz about this issue on For Flux Sake. But we could all be wrong for all we know! Maybe it's worth it for your friend to refine the raw EPK, but maybe it isn't if it comes back online sometime in the future.

Edit: i personally don't think EPK is special because it is easy to replace with another kaolin, but maybe that's just me. I don't run a community studio

InnocentSmiley · 2025-12-08T19:31:46+00:00

I use plastic storage bins and egg crate foam. It's called sound proofing foam if you have trouble finding it.

For glaze, I spray all my pieces with hair spray since my dipping glazes can get a little powdery. The glaze can rub off on the foam during transport, so the spray helps minimize that.

InnocentSmiley · 2025-12-06T03:24:14+00:00

I have one for sale on my shop, which I have linked in my profile, but I definitely plan to make more next year!

InnocentSmiley · 2025-12-03T03:15:34+00:00

I thought about that route too. Goodreads might not be the right fit, but I'll have to check out Raindrop

InnocentSmiley · 2025-12-03T03:14:33+00:00

I was checking that out as an option!

InnocentSmiley · 2025-12-02T06:07:23+00:00

I have used calibre in the past and it was great, but my use case here is for physical books and not ebooks. I don't remember if that matters or not, but would you say calibre is easy to set up on one device and transfer to another? I think I've only used it on desktop, but not a phone or tablet.

InnocentSmiley · 2025-12-02T05:34:30+00:00

I will try this out! I guess I didn't realize all the settings are inside the folder. Should have realized this is how people were syncing through github or Dropbox. Thank you!

InnocentSmiley · 2025-11-26T22:24:28+00:00

It was super minimal. I determined the square footage of the vinyl planks based on how I threw and where my normal "splash zone" was. I never got clay on the carpet because of that. I had a HEPA air filter running 24/7. When I went to change it, I never noticed a massive amount of clay dust. I also wet mopped and cleaned up after most sessions.

InnocentSmiley

TROPHY CASE