Listen in as the gang visit Materials Corner to discuss the latest updates surrounding the loss of Custer. Matt also answers a question from a brewer about the source of water that you use in your glazes. The answer might surprise you! Also, Kathy and Rose share how they've both used CMC in glazes and Matt dives into the science behind it. Today’s …

Listen to episode 69 where Matt, Rose, and Kathy discuss a listener's question about the use of ceramic bowls in the hair salon. Can ceramic be safely used for mixing hair dye? The team delves into the chemistry to determine if these bowls are a safe choice or a potential disaster. Thinking about going green in the studio? The gang dives into liste…

In episode 68, we're getting schooled on Shino glazes! Matt, Rose, and Kathy discuss some of the history, science, and stunning beauty of these unique glazes. The gang also takes a deep dive into the murky waters of water chemistry in glazes. Is it the secret ingredient or a total myth? We'll also debunk some common misconceptions and explain why g…

Clay drama got you throwing shade? We've ALL been there! Join the For Flux Sake gang for episode 67 as we commiserate over inconsistent clay bodies and the woes of surprise firing results. We’ll explore the limitations of trying to adjust an existing clay body and glaze to meet your needs and some of the many reasons why commercial clay bodies can …

Listen to Kathy, Rose, and Matt take your glaze concerns head-on in this fired-up live recording from the convention this year! The audience delivered rapid fire questions to the gang so get ready for a hodgepodge of hot glaze conundrums. From water content and adjusting a recipe, to cracking the code on crazing crystals and banishing hard pan pand…

Listen to the final part of our conversation with the fantastic Freddy Fredrickson, former kiln master at Alfred University and founder of Fredrickson kilns. This episode will have you thinking beyond temperature when trying to get the most out of your kiln during your firings. Is cone 6 truly more energy-efficient than cone 10? Can your thermocoup…

Join Matt as he dives deep into kilns with Freddy Frederickson, the legendary founder of Fredrickson Kiln Company. For over 30 years, Freddy wasn't just building kilns at The New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University, he was perfecting the craft as their master kiln builder. In this first episode of our two-part interview, Freddy shar…

Thanks to everyone who came out to our live taping at NCECA. We had a blast and look forward to airing that episode in a few weeks. Today on the show the gang talk about the effect of mold in clay, bisque firing higher than your glaze temperature, and the wild wild west of slip formulas. If you need assistance with a ceramic chemistry problem, send…

This episode of Flux Sake is a technical delight! Rose and Matt unpack the fascinating world of commercial clay body profiling with Ceramic Material Workshop's ongoing research project. They'll unpack the different tests used and what they reveal about a clay body's performance. Need to know the perfect clay body and glazes for your project? We've …

The For Flux Sake crew is gearing up for NCECA! Tune in to find out their plans and where you can catch them live at the conference. They also dive deep into listener questions, tackling concerns about lead leaching in your kiln from past firings and fish tank safety. Can your ceramic pieces pose a hidden danger for you or your aquatic friends? Lea…

On today’s episode the gang talk about deciphering the labels on your commercial glazes. They also answer listener questions about standard bisquing temperatures in the U.S., and if there is a toxicity risk when using lead glazed wares from the 19th century. If you need assistance with a ceramic chemistry problem, send us a voice memo with your que…

On today’s episode the gang talk about recycling clay, knowing how hot a slip or glaze can be fired, and tips for running a community studio. If you need assistance with a ceramic chemistry problem, send us a voice memo with your question to forfluxsakepodcast@gmail.com. As we head into the new year, we are having a comment drive. This is one of th…

On today’s episode the gang answer an interesting question about the beauty of glaze flaws, as well as discussing fake reduction glazes using silicon carbide and making pots that are durable enough for restaurants. If you need assistance with a ceramic chemistry problem, send us a voice memo with your question to forfluxsakepodcast@gmail.com. As we…

Happy New Year from the For the Flux Sake gang! In today’s episode Kathy, Rose, and Matt answer three listener questions about kiln peeps, creating atmospheric effects in an electric kiln, and the best ways to test wild clay. If you need assistance with a ceramic chemistry problem, send us a voice memo with your question to forfluxsakepodcast@gmail…

On today’s episode of For the Flux Sake the gang answer three listener questions about sieving glazes, burnishing clay, and wiping off bisque. If you have a ceramic chemistry problem you’d like help with, send us a voice memo with your question to forfluxsakepodcast@gmail.com. Thanks everyone for listening in 2023. We look forward to having lots of…

On today’s episode the gang talk about the end of Custer Feldspar. How do we all adjust to one of America’s most popular, and reasonably priced, feldspars going out of production? Hear more about potential substitutions and the ripple effect this will have on the ceramic community. If you have a ceramic chemistry problem you’d like help with, send …

On today’s episode the gang answer questions about the rising cost of lithium and the advantages of diversifying your fluxes. They also talk about the slight color shifts that happen in clear glazes. If you have a ceramic chemistry problem you’d like help with, send us a voice memo with your question to forfluxsakepodcast@gmail.com. Today’s episode…

On today’s episode the gang answer a few questions about cone six, including one about electric kiln temperatures, and another about firing cone 6 glazes to cone 10 in a soda kiln. They also talk about making lava-like effects on clay with vinegar. If you have a ceramic chemistry problem you’d like help with, send us a voice memo with your question…

On this extra spooky episode of For Flux Sake, the gang talk about flame ware, the best length of time to mix casting slip, and fast firing manual kilns. They also share a mysterious tale about the blood bricks of Boston. If you have a ceramic chemistry problem you’d like help with, send us a voice memo with your question to forfluxsakepodcast@gmai…

This week on the podcast the gang talk about the chemistry of raku glazes, the prevalence of cone 8 in European ceramics, and the intricacies of a fully melted matte glaze. They also share fun facts about Prisma color pencils and their use in ceramics. If you have a ceramic chemistry problem you’d like help with, send us a voice memo with your ques…

Today the gang discuss three questions about clay, including what actually happens when you wedge. They also talk about the ever-evolving situation with EPK. If you have a ceramic chemistry problem you’d like help with, send us a voice memo with your question to forfluxsakepodcast@gmail.com. To see the supplemental info we talked about in this epis…

Welcome back for season three of For Flux Sake! Today the gang talk about fast firing, the best way to do an absorption test, and a pair of kiln questions about thermocouples and electricity types. If you have a ceramic chemistry problem you’d like help with, send us a voice memo with your question to forfluxsakepodcast@gmail.com. To see the supple…

Your favorite glaze nerds are back for season three of For Flux Sake! New episodes drop every other Wednesday starting this week. If you have a question about ceramic chemistry send us a voice memo at forfluxsakepodcast@gmail.com. See you soon!By Kathy King, Matt Katz, Rose Katz

We are wrapping up our second season of the podcast and want to send a huge thank you to all of you for listening to the show. In this episode the gang talk about the long-term effects of throwing on your body, how to grasp the working qualities of porcelain, and how kiln cooling might change your glazes. If you have a ceramic chemistry problem you…

This week on the show we have a great slate of questions from our listeners. Kathy, Matt, and Rose talk about the effect of Terra Siggilata on absorption, flashing caused by soluble materials, and best practices for safely using luster. If you have a ceramic chemistry problem you’d like help with, send us a voice memo with your question to forfluxs…

We all know that disappointing feeling. You open a kiln and see a beautiful piece that looks exactly like yours, except that its oddly smaller than you remember. On this week’s show the gang talk about the chemical process that causes clay shrinkage, as well as, the pros and cons of using manganese for speckled clay. If you have a ceramic chemistry…

Have you seen a lava glaze and wondered how to make that surface in your own studio? Today on the show, the gang talk about silicon carbide and its use in lava glazes, as well as answer questions on plaster pop outs and soluble sodium. If you have a ceramic chemistry problem you’d like help with, send us a voice memo with your question to forfluxsa…

Did you see the video of the potter firing their pot in the microwave? Is that real? Today on the show the gang talk about this curiosity of ceramic technology. They also talk about temperature fluctuations in a kiln, and Matt goes on an epic rant about vitrification and porosity. If you have a ceramic chemistry problem you’d like help with, send u…

Have you inherited a studio’s worth of raw materials but have no idea what they are? On today’s episode of For Flux Sake the gang talk about how to test mystery materials to find out their usefulness. They also talk about the best ways to record the information you learn from your test tiles, and Matt and Rose give a report on their trip to the Fie…

On today’s episode of For Flux Sake Matt does a deep dive into crystalline glazes. The gang also talks about the nature of frits and the composition of stains. It’s an episode filled with practical information to help you understand how ceramic materials work. If you have a ceramic chemistry problem you’d like help with, send us a voice memo with y…

On today’s episode of For Flux Sake our hosts talk about the best way to measure progress in a firing. They also talk about Chat GPT and the potential for artificial intelligence in ceramics, as well as answer questions about quartz inversion and firing schedules. If you have a ceramic chemistry problem you’d like help with, send us a voice memo wi…

Today the gang check in after an exciting trip to NCECA. They also take questions about glaze recycling, hard water, and soluble sodium flashing. If you have a ceramic chemistry problem you’d like help with, send us a voice memo with your question to forfluxsakepodcast@gmail.com. To see the supplemental info, we talked about in this episode, visit …

For today’s episode we have a live taping from this year’s NCECA conference in Cincinnati, OH. Kathy, Matt, and Rose took questions from the audience about glaze development and mysterious kiln reactions. If you have a ceramic chemistry problem you’d like help with, send us a voice memo with your question to forfluxsakepodcast@gmail.com. To see the…

On today’s episode of For Flux Sake our hosts talk about clay memory and why some slab-built things warp. They also discuss delayed pinging and the aging of glazed work. If you have a ceramic chemistry problem you’d like help with, send us a voice memo with your question to forfluxsakepodcast@gmail.com. To see the supplemental info, we talked about…

On today’s episode of For Flux Sake our hosts talk about dipping glazes and what to do when your glaze hard pans at the bottom of the bucket. If you have a ceramic chemistry problem you’d like help with, send us a voice memo with your question to forfluxsakepodcast@gmail.com. Kathy, Matt, and Rose are excited to announce that the first in-person ta…

On today’s episode of For Flux Sake our hosts dive down the rabbit hole of unglazed ceramics and vitrification. Along the way Matt talks about the history of kiln technology while also offering to fight any ancient Grecians who might be listening to the podcast. It gets wild. If you have a ceramic chemistry problem you’d like help with, send us a v…

On today’s episode of For Flux Sake our hosts answer a handful of questions about material substitutions. They talk about the similarities between iron and cobalt colorants, and which raw materials you can interchange for others. If you have a ceramic chemistry problem you’d like help with, send us a voice memo with your question to forfluxsakepodc…

On today’s episode of For Flux Sake our hosts answer three questions about clay bodies. They talk about how you make casting slip, determining when it is ok to mix clay bodies together, and whether or not aging your clay makes a difference for plasticity. If you have a ceramic chemistry problem you’d like help with, send us a voice memo with your q…

On today’s episode of For Flux Sake our hosts talk about the best ways to transport glazed bisque ware from your home studio to the community kiln, and why black underglaze can have trouble staying smooth at cone 10. They also return to a discussion from a previous episode about the practicality of using beach sand as a clay or glaze material. If y…

On today’s episode of For Flux Sake our hosts celebrate the holiday season with their ceramic gift guide. They also answer three questions about kilns and firing, including differences in kiln types, practical tools for maintenance, and whether water or air is to blame for explosions during firing. If you have a ceramic chemistry problem you’d like…

On today’s episode of For Flux Sake our fearless hosts start with a listener question about what they make (or used to make) in their own studios. They also discuss how reduction works and if it’s possible to create reduction in an electric kiln. If you have a ceramic chemistry problem you’d like help with, send us a voice memo with your question t…

On today’s episode of For Flux Sake the gang start by talking about the best way to display test tiles in our studio. They also talk about copper as a disinfectant and how to keep your kiln wash from hard panning. If you have a ceramic chemistry problem you’d like help with, send us a voice memo with your question to forfluxsakepodcast@gmail.com. T…

On today’s Halloween episode of For Flux Sake the gang answer three questions about glazes: to sieve or not to sieve, how to stop crawling, and a real stumper about brushing. If you have a ceramic chemistry problem you’d like help with, send us a voice memo with your question to forfluxsakepodcast@gmail.com. To see the supplemental info, we talked …

On today’s episode of For Flux Sake the gang talk about one of the famous phenomena of ceramics, Quartz inversion. Is it a big deal or just a convenient explanation for unknown failure? They also announce their first podcast contest. If you design a t-shirt logo for the show you could win a free class from Ceramics Materials Workshop. To enter send…

On today’s episode of For Flux Sake the gang answers a few questions about dunting, as well as how and when you should use target cones in a firing. Matt also puts out a call for questions about crystalline glazes to be featured in future episodes. If you have anything you’d like help with, send us a voice memo at forfluxsakepodcast@gmail.com. To s…

On today’s episode of For Flux Sake the gang talks about the best ways to recycle clay and why tracking specific gravity can help with glaze application issues. To see the supplemental info, we talked about in this episode, visit the blog at www.ceramicmaterialsworkshop.com/cmw-blog. If you would like to have your question answered on the show, sen…

On today’s episode of For Flux Sake the gang answers a listener question about how you might incorporate materials from your local beach into your ceramic studio. They also discuss the speed of firing in an electric kiln. Is slow better than fast? Tune in to find out and learn more on the first episode of season 2 of For Flux Sake. To see the suppl…

The gang are back for season two of the podcast! New episodes drop every other Wednesday starting this week. If you have a question you'd like Matt and Rose to answer on the show send us a voice memo at forfluxsakepodcast@gmail.com. See you soon!By Kathy King, Matt Katz, Rose Katz

For Flux Sake wraps up their first season with a discussion of mold and water absorption in fired clay bodies, as well as, a few ways to approach waste glaze disposal. For supplemental info, visit the blog at www.ceramicmaterialsworkshop.com/cmw-blog. Today’s episode is brought to you by the following sponsors: For the past 100 years, AMACO Brent h…

Today on For Flux Sake we have a special episode focused on studio safety and pregnancy. Host Rose Katz talks with Bill Katz, a retired OBGYN with over 40 years of experience, about the potential effects of ceramic materials on pregnancy. For supplemental info, visit the blog at www.ceramicmaterialsworkshop.com/cmw-blog. Today’s episode is brought …