Episodes

  • Bentonite versus Epsom Salts?
    Nov 20 2024

    Do you have the hard pan blues when your glazes settle like a rock to the bottom of the bucket? The gang talk about how bentonite and Epsom Salts might solve hard panning, as well as when and how much you should use. They also talk about how to calcine a substance, and why you shouldn’t calcine egg shells as a calcium source.

    This week’s episode features the following topics:

    Bentonite, Epsom Salts, calcine, calcium carbonate versus calcium oxide, glaze suspension, glaze settling


    For today's episode we ask listeners to donate to the Craft Emergency Relief Fund and their efforts to help artists recover after Hurricane Helene.

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    38 mins
  • Why is this glaze so gloopy?
    Nov 13 2024

    Have you ever mixed a glaze with the correct amount of water, but it still seems gloopy and thick? If you have then you might need to add a dispersant to help solve this issue. The gang talk about using dispersants, and they answer a listener’s question about the robustness of cone six versus cone ten. They also return to Materials Corner to talk about the discontinuation of a popular luster brand.

    This week’s episode features the following topics:

    Gillespie Borate, Bentonite, Darvan, sodium silicate, vitrification, tin, cone six, cone ten


    For today's episode we ask listeners to donate to the Craft Emergency Relief Fund and their efforts to help artists recover after Hurricane Helene.

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    43 mins
  • Why do pots get hot in the microwave?
    Nov 4 2024

    Have you ever noticed how some pots get really hot in the microwave? The gang talk about why this happens, and answer a listener question about coloring reclaimed slop glaze. They also talk about glow in the dark glazes and Rose’s recent video about them on the CMW YouTube channel. 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 week’s episode features the following topics:

    Glaze colorants, glow in the dark, microwave, vitrification, Chrome


    For today's episode we ask listeners to donate to the Craft Emergency Relief Fund and their efforts to help artists recover after Hurricane Helene.

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    39 mins
  • Fluxed Up with Brett Kern-Happy Halloween!
    Oct 30 2024

    Welcome to a very spooky edition of Fluxed Up with Brett Kern. Today we dive into the precarious world of ceramics filled with funny stories, studio mishaps, and the quest for the ever-elusive perfect glaze. Join us as Brett shares his journey with slip casting inflatable dinosaurs, using commercial glazes, and dealing with dunting after material changes. Tune in for a dose of humor, technical tips, and a behind-the-scenes look at the life of a ceramic artist. Got questions or need advice? Drop us a line at ForFluxSakePodcast@gmail.com

    This week’s episode features the following topics:

    Slip casting, Dunting, Commercial glazes, layering glazes, spraying, luster

    For today's episode we ask listeners to donate to the Craft Emergency Relief Fund and their efforts to help artists recover after Hurricane Helene.

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    32 mins
  • How can we help North Carolina?
    Oct 23 2024

    Have you wondered how you can help support artists affected by Hurricane Helene? This week’s show is dedicated to sharing information and resources to assist the North Carolina clay community in rebuilding. The gang talks about assessing damage after a natural disaster, what supply chain issues we expect, and organizations needing support. If you’d like to contribute to disaster relief, please donate to the Craft Emergency Relief Fund at www.cerfplus.org.

    This week’s episode features the following topics:

    Asheville, Marshall, Penland, Highwater Clays, Mudtools, CERF

    Today's episode is brought to you by Ceramic Materials Workshop.

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    34 mins
  • Are cone 6 soda fired pots durable?
    Oct 16 2024

    Atmospheric firing is so much fun! What’s not to like about a process where you get to spray soda into a flaming hot kiln. This week the gang talk about the durability of cone 6 soda fired pots, and the process for identifying mystery materials. They also take us behind the scenes to talk about what goes into making videos for the CMW YouTube channel.

    This week’s episode features the following topics:

    Glaze troubleshooting, atmospheric firing, cone 6, soda firing, glaze, flashing slip


    Today's episode is brought to you by Ceramic Materials Workshop.

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    38 mins
  • What’s so special about a Bristol glaze?
    Oct 9 2024

    Have you heard of a Bristol glaze? This week on For Flux Sake the gang talk about the chemistry that makes these glazes work. They also discuss the crackle vs. crazing nomenclature, as well as the definition of porcelain. 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 week’s episode features the following topics:

    Glaze troubleshooting, crazing, porcelain, Bristol Glaze, glaze

    Today's episode is brought to you by Bailey Pottery Equipment and Archie Bray Residency.

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    35 mins
  • Fluxed Up with Lisa Orr
    Oct 2 2024

    Get ready for the wonderful and hilarious ceramic artist Lisa Orr! In this episode of our new For Flux Sake segment Fluxed Up, we dive into the precarious world of ceramics filled with personal stories, studio mishaps, and the ever-elusive perfect glaze. Join us as Lisa shares her journey with making low fired white wares, the influence red iron oxide has on aventurine glazes, and her recent research into Persian luster firing. Also, the gang talk about Lisa’s development of the Rocket Kiln, a fast-firing smokeless wood kiln. Tune in for a dose of humor, technical tips, and a behind-the-scenes look at the life of a ceramic artist. Got questions or need advice? Drop us a line at ForFluxSakePodcast@gmail.com

    This week’s episode features the following topics: Glaze Troubleshooting, Rocket Kiln, Studio Stories, Ceramics Confessions, Lisa Orr, Red Iron Oxide, Filter Press, Studio Anecdotes, Behind the scenes, Potter, Ceramic Artist

    Today's episode is brought to you by Bailey Pottery Equipment and Archie Bray Residency.

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    53 mins