Delving into Pottery Glazes: Choosing Between Commercial and Homemade

Whether you're a newbie in the pottery game or a seasoned pro, you know that glazes are like the icing on the cake – they give your pottery colour, they can give a smooth shiny finish (depending on the glaze) and they can also help make your work more durable (depending on the type of clay you use). But the big question remains: should you go for the convenience of commercial glazes or take the DIY route with homemade concoctions? Fear not, because we're breaking down the differences and benefits right here! 🎨✨

Commercial Glazes: Convenience with a Touch of Pizzazz

Imagine this: you've just thrown your pottery masterpiece, and you can't wait to see it shine. This is where commercial glazes swoop in like the pottery superheroes they are. 🦸‍♂️ These pre-packaged marvels offer an array of colours, finishes, and effects that can make your pottery truly stand out. Convenience is the name of the game – just open the jar, apply, and fire away! You can save time and energy for more creative endeavours (or just that extra cup of coffee, we won't judge).

Benefits? Oh, they're plenty. Consistency is a big one – commercial glazes are formulated to give you the same results every time. So if you're a stickler for predictability, they've got your back. Plus, they usually come with clear instructions, making them perfect for beginners who might be feeling a tad overwhelmed. And the sheer variety! From glossy to matte, speckled to swirled, you'll have a rainbow of options to play with.

Homemade Glazes: Unleash Your Inner Mad Scientist

Now, let's talk about the DIY approach – homemade glazes. 🧪 If you're someone who thrives on experimenting and revels in a touch of mystery, whipping up your own glazes might be just the ticket. Think of yourself as a potion master, concocting magic brews that can yield surprising, unique results. It's like having a secret recipe that only you know!

The biggest benefit? Absolute creative freedom! You're not limited by what's on the store shelf – you can tweak the colours, textures, and effects to match your vision perfectly. Plus, there's a certain satisfaction in knowing that your pottery is one-of-a-kind, born from your imagination and effort. Sure, it might require a bit more trial and error, but the learning process is half the fun, right?

The Verdict: Finding Your Glaze Groove

So, which path should you tread? It ultimately depends on your preferences and what you're looking to achieve. If you're all about convenience, consistency, and a wide range of choices, commercial glazes are your best buddies. But if you're a daring experimenter, eager to create pottery that's as unique as you are, diving into the world of homemade glazes is your next big adventure.

Not to mention the cost factor, making your own glazes works out far cheaper in the long run. It may cost you a bit in time initially, but if you’re making work on any sort of scale, buying pots of commercial glaze gets incredibly expensive. Plus you become reliant on suppliers of specific glazes to make your work, not an ideal scenario. If you’re a hobbyist for now but have plans for scaling up your opperation, then getting your own glaze recipies sorted now is a very worthwhile endeavour. It will set you up for a much smoother, cheaper work flow when you are making larger quantities of your work.

And hey, here's a secret: there's no rule that says you can't have the best of both worlds! I currently work with a mixture of commercial brush on glazes, as well as homemade. I’m hoping over the next year or so to slowly move all of my glazes over to my own recipes, but it is a big project, and not something that can be achieved overnight. A friend of mine is kindly gifting me with a small plug-in kiln that I plan to use mainly for glaze tests. So watch this space for weird and wonderful glaze experiments.

So, whether you're dancing with store-bought brilliance or stirring up your own glaze alchemy, remember that every layer of glaze adds a touch of your heart and soul to your creations. Now, go get your hands dirty (or colourful) 🌟🏺