April Event

April 6th. 1:30 p.m. Howard Sawhill “Cone Blue Pottery – the Secrets of Ceramic Glazes”

HowardSawhill, a materials scientist, has embarked on his second career with his company Cone Blue Pottery, Ceramic Glaze Research and Development Studio. He is using his technical background for understanding the scientific basis for successful glazes. Raw materials of ceramic glazes generally include silica, which will be the main glass former. Various metal oxides, such as sodium, potassium, and calcium, act as flux and therefore lower the melting temperature. Alumina, often derived from clay, stiffens the molten glaze to prevent it from running off the piece. Sawhill collaborates with potters on difficult glaze issues.