Description
5‑Week Beginner Glaze‑Making Course
Step into the world of glaze chemistry and surface effects in this hands‑on, small‑group course firing to 1120 °C in an electric kiln. Over 5 weeks of 2‑hour sessions, you’ll learn how to mix your own glazes from raw materials and create exciting surfaces like volcanic “fat lava”, satin mattes, double‑dipped overlaps and textured glaze chips – all tailored to a home‑studio setup.
Who this course is for:
- Potters who can already make and bisque‑fire their work, but feel unsure about glazing.
- Beginners who want to move beyond commercial bottled glazes into mixing their own.
- Home‑studio ceramicists working at around 1120 °C in an electric kiln.
You do not need any chemistry background – everything is explained in plain, practical language.
What you’ll learn:
- By the end of the course you will be able to:
- Understand what a glaze is, how it melts at 1120 °C, and how different materials affect colour and surface.
- Read and record glaze recipes, mix small test batches, and sieve and store glazes safely.
- Use line blends to systematically test and refine your glazes.
- Create special‑effect surfaces, including:
- Volcanic / crater textures (decorative “fat lava”‑style glazes)
- Satin and semi‑matt surfaces
- Double‑dipped overlaps and controlled runs
- Layered “glaze chip” and break effects on texture
- Keep a glaze notebook so you can repeat your results and continue experimenting confidently after the course.
Course Details
Dates: Weekly from 4 June for 5 weeks (5 sessions) 17h00 to 19h00
Cost: R3000
Venue: Melville Mudroom, Melville, Johannesburg
Spaces limited to 8 participants.
Email info@melvillemudroom.co.
