For Flux Sake Podcast By Kathy King Rose Katz Matt Katz cover art

For Flux Sake

For Flux Sake

By: Kathy King Rose Katz Matt Katz
Listen for free

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.Archie Bray Foundation Art
Episodes
  • How does a kiln sitter work?
    Jul 16 2025

    Do you remember the joys of using a kiln sitter? Those mini cones were so cute until you dropped one in the bottom of a fully loaded kiln. Even though manufacturers have shifted to computer controlled models, sitters were a key part of electric kilns for decades. Today on the show the gang answer listener questions about firing a kiln with a kiln sitter and making your own decals. Rose also reads a hilarious story about a clay plasticity experiment gone wrong. Do you have questions or need advice on glazes? Drop us a line at ForFluxSakePodcast@gmail.com and you could be featured on an upcoming show.

    This episode is the last of the season. We will take a summer break for the month of August and be back to start season five in September.

    Today's episode is brought to you by Monkey Stuff, The Rosenfield Collection, Snow Farm: The New England Craft Program, and Cornell Studio Supply.

    This week’s episode features the following topics:

    Kiln sitter, cones, electric kiln, decals, plasticity, clay formulation

    Show more Show less
    39 mins
  • How can you tell if a glaze is fully melted?
    Jul 9 2025

    Today your favorite glaze experts answer a listener's question about judging the melt of an ash glaze, methods for wet mixing bentonite, and whether or not it's safe to use industrial dinnerware made before lead was regulated. They also open the show talking about why you should never crush encapsulated stains. Do you have questions or need advice on glazes? Drop us a line at ForFluxSakePodcast@gmail.com and you could be featured on an upcoming show.

    Today's episode is brought to you by Monkey Stuff, The Rosenfield Collection, Snow Farm: The New England Craft Program, and Cornell Studio Supply.

    This week’s episode features the following topics:

    Ash glaze, glaze melt, bentonite, macaloid, lead test, encapsulated stain

    Show more Show less
    36 mins
  • Are metallic glazes similar to melted metal?
    Jul 2 2025

    Have you ever wondered what makes a bronze glaze work? This week on the show the gang answer a listener's question about metallic oxides in glazes, and discuss the finer points of what makes a pinhole a pinhole. Do you have questions or need advice on glazes? Drop us a line at ForFluxSakePodcast@gmail.com and you could be featured on an upcoming show.

    Today's episode is brought to you by Cornell Studio Supply and Ceramic Materials Workshop Consulting.

    This week’s episode features the following topics:

    Pin holing, metallic oxides, bronze glazes, cobalt crystalline glazes, crystalline glaze

    Show more Show less
    37 mins
All stars
Most relevant  
I can hardly wait for more! After 20 yrs as a potter I mostly know, how much I don’t know.😁 I love when I can still pick up new knowledge I can trust.

Bing worthy potter’s delight!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

I have learned so much from these podcasts. I'm not an experienced potter, but they explain things at a level that even novices can understand. Highly recommend listening if you're interested in learning about making pottery.

Great Learning Source

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

For all your burning clay and glaze questions, Matt, Rose and Kathy keep it real. I am forever grateful for kamong other things) permission to flip on all the switches and fire fast, and I haven't looked back - thanks For Flux Sake!

Always a fun listen, and you learn stuff too...

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Love the scientific information that dispels many passed down myths. saving lots of time and learning what really works. Kathy is just hysterical with her off the cuff one-liners.

Dispelling pottery myths!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

I just love for Flux Sake. Excellent information, that is intelligent yet delivered in a manner that is easy to understand. and a super fun and entertaining team!

Flux Sake Rocks!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.