Stoneware Bisque
- Details
- Last Updated: Thursday, 26 June 2014 20:52
Stoneware Bisque on the Horizon
Stoneware clay bodies give stoneware glazes a playground to exhibit brilliant organic colors and natural flowing rivers of glaze combinations, blending and swirling together. This special look once belonged to ceramic artists and potters who could make their own shapes. Mayco has built a bridge - stoneware bisque - which is available to any artist who is keen to expand their ceramic exploration. Stoneware bisque is enticing and inviting, with its functionality as noteworthy as its role in displaying gorgeous glazes. Let us enlighten you to the wonderful world of stoneware bisque.
 |
 |
|
SB-111 Handled Bowl
8" W x 4" H x 6" Diameter
|
SB-109 Lisa Mug
4½" W x 5" H
|
 |
 |
|
SB-112 Tall Bottle
3" W x 14½" H
|
SB-106 Rimmed Bowl
7" Diameter
|
If low-fire earthenware is your expertise it can be difficult to leave your comfort zone. We have, hopefully, addressed one of the impediments to participating in mid-range glazing with our stoneware bisque. A little bit about stoneware: when glaze fired to cone 6, stoneware bisque becomes vitreous (the clay particles fuse completely together like glass) and is impervious to water. This allows for the artist to leave exposed (unglazed) areas, often on the bottom the stoneware bisque since it is placed directly on the shelf without stilts. Stoneware is tough stuff! It has a strong fired body, is chip resistant, and capable of withstanding thermal-shock within an oven, microwave, dishwasher, or freezer.
Not only does Mayco have thirteen new Stoneware Bisque shapes, we also have an extensive line of Stoneware Glazes ranging from matte to glossy surfaces, translucent (the new Opal line) to opaque glazes, and textures containing breaks and floating effects. Stoneware Washes, coming in four different varieties, pair nicely with many of the Stoneware glazes, aiding the glazes in movement and leading to an intermingled fusion of one another creating absolutely breathtaking rhythm and flow.
 |
 |
|
3 coats of SW-253 Green Opal, 3 coats SW-250 White Opal on edges/rim
|
SW-101 Stoned Denim, SW-109 Capri Blue and SW-129 Copper Float
|
 |
 |
|
SW-203 Root Beer, SW-204 Amber Topaz, SW-250 White Opal and SW-303 Manganese Wash
|
SW-108 Green Tea and SW-130 Copper Jade
|
Another great thing about Mayco Stoneware Bisque is that you CAN still use low-fire glazes on this bisque body. The most successful way to go about this is to begin first with firing the stoneware bisque to cone 5 to vitrify the clay body. Then, apply low-fire glazes to the stoneware bisque. The only pitfall to this process is the first coat of glaze applied will take a minimum of an hour to dry (unless a fan is employed) because the re-firing of the stoneware bisque has made the body nonporous therefore the glaze will not be absorbed as quickly. Once the first coat has dried, subsequent coats will dry at normal speed. When finished glazing, fire to cone 06 for optimum results.
Our education programs such as Pottery Camp and Ceramics Camp both feature stoneware projects. We are also developing stoneware workshops, using both the stoneware bisque and glazes. Watch our event page on our website for a workshop near you.