What Every Potter Should Know
222 pages
by Jeff Zamek.

For every successful pot you create, chances are there are a few you abandoned along the way. Now you can save many of those spoiled pieces by learning solutions to some of the most common pottery problems. No longer will you waste time and money on a piece that requires only minimal repairing, if only you knew the right techniques. Author Jeff Zamek has researched just about every mishap that can occur in ceramics and has learned how to either prevent or correct them. He provides information in easy to grasp segments to guide you through new glaze formulas, new clay body formulas, kiln firing techniques, clay/glaze defects, and much more.

Jeff Zamek began making pots in 1968 and received B.F.A./M.F.A. degrees from Alfred University, College of Ceramics in Alfred, New York, in ceramic art and design. Zamek then spent several years teaching college level ceramics in the Northeast. He has developed clay body and glaze formulas for ceramics supply companies throughout the United States.

Price:$28.00

Electric Kiln Ceramics
284 pages
By Richard Zakin

Over the last decade, the safety, convenience, and economy of the electric kiln have made it extremely popular for the home studio. Electric Kiln Ceramics,Second Edition, contains information for the potter available nowhere else: an exhaustive review of clays, glazes, and techniques developed exclusively for use in the electric kiln.

Electric Kiln Ceramics begins with an introduction to the electric kiln and the various clays and glazes best suited to its use. Both commercial and homemade clays and glazes are discussed, and recipes are provided for slips and glazes for different firing temperatures. Special glazes (wood ash: majolica, tzu chou, and crystal glazes ), the application of oxidation surfaces (intaglio glazing, painting, wax resist, and sgraffito methods ), and loading and firing are also explored in depth.

This second edition provides state-of-the-art health and safety information. AII-new photography showcases the work of artists from around the world with more than 200 color and black-and-white examples of contemporary electric-fired work. Also included are the history of the electric kiln, how to purchase or build your own kiln, and advice on routine maintenance.

This inclusive guide will assist you in using the electric kiln to produce clear, brilliant colors and richly textured surfaces. Provides you with completely revised glaze recipes, information on commercial glaze for low fire and updated health and safety information.

Richard Zakin has repeatedly stretched the capabilities of oxidation fire, not only as an artist, but as an investigator. He demonstrates in this book that the electric kiln potter can obtain clear, brilliant colors, richly textures surfaces, and complete control over a range of effects. He supports the assertions through compounds, formulas, and examples to produce the most thorough reference ever published on the silent fire.

Zakin is a professor of art at the State University of New York as Oswego, and is a prolific writer, highly regarded for his technical articles.

Price: $40.00

Mastering Cone 6 Glazes
168 pages
by John Hasselberth and Ron Roy

Ron Roy and John Hesselberth, two potters well known for their expertise in glaze chemistry and for their concern for helping potters make glazes that are suitable for their intended use, have collaborated to write a book that is certain to become a classic for the potters working at Cone 6.

Do you want your glazed to be durable in use and attractive? Do you want to be sure they will not leach significant quantities of metals into food or drink? This is the first book to address these questions in-depth. A wide variety of extensively a wide variety of extensively tested glaze recipes are included as well as detailed guidance on formulating your own glazes.

Do you want to be sure glazes don’t craze for on coming out of the kiln or after extended use? Or perhaps you do not want glazes that craze for a decorative effect. This is the only book that gives an in-depth discussion of how to prevent (or causing) crazing and the related problems of shivering and dunting,

Do you want to know how you can test your glaze and pottery to be sure they are suitable for their intended use? A number of practical, inexpensive., in-studio test are described that you may want to use.

All of this information and more is explained in terms potters can readily understand. This is a ground-breaking book that studio potters, teachers of ceramics, students and others will find to be and invaluable source of useful reference information on cone 6 glazes. A lot of the material is also applicable to Cone 10.

Mastering Cone 6 Glazes has 168 pages, 42 color photos, 15 graphs and is softbound in a durable, water resistant cover.

Price: $40.00