Product Review

The Essential Guide to Mastering Glazing

Professional craftsmen John Hesselberth and Ron Roy present this invaluable resource for potters working with cone 6 glazes. Compared to the more traditional cone 9 method, the relatively lower firing temperature of cone 6 (2,232°F) results in faster kiln heating and cooling times, and the availability of a more diverse color palette for artists to work with. The different temperature range requires compatible glazes. Beyond that, Mastering Cone 6 Glazes provides a wealth of information for all potters, firing at a variety of temperatures, especially on the subjects of durability and cooling.
We at Echo Point Books learned about this book from a veteran professional potter, who urged us to bring it back into print. We've since learned that Mastering Cone 6 Glazes is simply the best book on the topic. It describes all of the elements integral in the cone 6 process in clear, easy-to-understand language. The book begins with a thorough and accessible examination of glaze theory, and features detailed discussions about glaze durability and fit, strength testing, shivering and crazing, and color leaching and fading. It also includes detailed recipes for a wide variety of highly effective and aesthetically appealing glazes.
Readers need not be masters of ceramic science themselves; expert authors Hesselberth and Roy present the relevant chemistry and technical material in accessible terms. They help you understand the fundamentals of the process, enough so that eventually you'll even be able to formulate your own glazes. They also emphasize safety, both in the studio and for users of the pottery, always with an eye on form and function. Mastering Cone 6 Glazes is an essential resource for do-it-yourself artists of all ages and experience levels.