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09/01/09 Contents:
Insider
Tips
"If you dip the tips of stilts in kiln
wash, the glaze won't stick to them when firing."
Hope
Miller
If I have a glaze that I rarely use, I'd add a few drops
of water to the jar so the glaze won't dry out and crack in the jar. I don't
stir it in, just let it sit on the top of the glaze. When I'm ready to use it
again, all I do is stir and I'm ready to go.
Sheree Pechin
Thanks for the tips, ladies! Watch the mail for your $15 Insider Gift
Certificate from Creative Glazes!
Using
Stamps
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Using
stamps to
add interest to ceramics has become very popular, but do you know how to use
them? There are some basic steps to follow to ensure that your stamps give the
desired results.
When you get your stamps home the first thing you should
do is wash them in hot soapy water. Sometimes they have a film on them that
repels glaze, underglaze or paint, so washing them gets them nice and clean and
ready to use.
While your stamps are drying get your ceramic piece ready.
Apply 3 smooth coats of your chosen background color glaze to the entire piece.
Allow the glaze to dry between coats for full coverage. If you would like a
mottled background, like the one above, swirl some StrokeNCoat or Concepts
colors over the background glaze, adding a tiny bit of water if necessary to
make it flow. Don't get the piece too wet as the colors could run and become
muddy looking.
When your stamp and the underglaze colors are dry you're
ready to get stamping!
Pour a puddle of underglaze color on a tile (black
was used on the example) and use a
sponge on a stick
to carefully tap the color onto the face of the stamp. Don't put the black on
so heavily that the stamp is filled with underglaze. The black should only be
on the flat surface of the stamp. using the sponge on a stick, tap the black,
or chosen color, onto the stamp and carefully apply the stamp to the ceramic
piece. Press in place, gently pushing against the back of the stamp to be sure
it touches the surface completely, then lift off. Don't allow the stamp to move
or slide, just lift straight up and away from the piece. Wipe the stamp with a
damp sponge to clean it, then apply more black and stamp the ceramic piece in a
different spot. Continue until the entire piece is covered/stamped to your
satisfaction.
Allow it to dry, then fire as usual. It's very simple once
you know just how to do it.
Now - get stamping!
Fall
Projects
Now that the kiddies are back in school it is time to get
down to some serious fall painting! The ideas and lists are endless - pumpkins,
witches, ghosts and goblins for Halloween. Turkeys, cornucopias and leaf
platters for Thanksgiving. Santas, trees, stockings, elegant trays, reindeer,
sleighs and more for Christmas! Now is the time to get into high gear and get
painting so all your special projects are done on time. Order your glazes right
away to avoid the late fall rush!
Sale
Items
Visit our sale page to see all the items on
sale this month. Always check the sale page before
placing your order. We can't always remember everything that is on sale and you
could miss out if you order an on-sale item from the regular page.
Submit Your Tip and Get a Gift
Certificate
We are always looking for tips to share with our readers! If
you have a helpful hint, tip, or trick you would like to share, send your tip
along with your name and address to:
theceramicsinsider@creativeglazes.com.
If we use your tip in The Ceramics Insider, you will receive a $15 gift
certificate (via US mail) from Creative Glazes and get your name in print! (or
remain anonymous if you prefer)
Simple, Secure,
Convenient - Creative Glazes.
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