The colours on our pots are created by the addition to the basic glaze of different Oxides of materials. The volume of an oxide depends on its strength. For example, Cobalt Oxide (blue) is very powerful and only 1% is needed to be added for the brilliant blue glaze. The additions of oxides ranges from 1% to 8% in our glazes. One of the most exciting times is the experimenting with different ingredients and then waiting for the kiln to be cool enough to unload to see what has happened. We blend up to five different oxides in some glazes though experience is telling us which are dominant and render others ineffective. Cobalt really is a bully!

The green glaze is created by the addition of Copper oxide or carbonate to the glaze mix. As with all or them, the strength is important. We work with two straightforward greens where the copper carbonate is either 3% or 1%. The oxide being stronger would be 35% less in volume, than the carbonate. The very dark green is a combination of cobalt/copper and red iron.

The delightful mauve glaze is thanks to the presence of Titanium Oxide. It was our first experiment and we are still thrilled with the variation of crystal colour which often range from white, like snowflakes to silver and gold. When mixed with a very small amount of cobalt the result is a  grey/blue crystal over a milky background.

Described as ‘thunderclouds with the sun breaking through’ by a customer of ours, the deep and strong brown glaze arrives due to the addition of Red Iron and Manganese oxides. In a diluted form a gold colour arrives, oh the wonders of alchemy!