Shohin pots on a midi pottery wheel

I missed this earlier. True Crystalline glazes are a whole different animal. They require temperature holds that many kilns (and people) can't handle. The also require a bisque tile to catch the running nature of the glaze and grinding / polishing the overrun. Many people who do crystalline glazes do nothing but crystalline glazes. The "bottled" crystal glazes are not the same.
I love a good (but unpredictable) crystalline glaze but though I have taken a workshop from a master, I am unprepared to make that commitment myself.
Yes, you're absolutely correct the true crystalline glazes are not the same as what's in the pint containers you buy off the shelf.....but you have to work with what you got.

I did quite a bit of research on crystalline glazes. This was one of the reason for wanting to make a small kiln with a digital controller. Eventually I'll get to making one. I did find a recipe that is not runny on glazey. I will most likely start with that one and tweak it as I go along.
 
This one is one of my favorites I've made this year. I see a nice shohin forest in this one. I think I've matched a glaze to this pot. It's going to be hard letting this one go.
Definitely a keeper.

I don't know if he will share his knowledge, but I love the crystals that Kevin (Baldy Bonsai) produces... I bought a few these last 2 months.
 
Yes, you're absolutely correct the true crystalline glazes are not the same as what's in the pint containers you buy off the shelf.....but you have to work with what you got.

I did quite a bit of research on crystalline glazes. This was one of the reason for wanting to make a small kiln with a digital controller. Eventually I'll get to making one. I did find a recipe that is not runny on glazey. I will most likely start with that one and tweak it as I go along.
When I do a rebuild on my smaller kiln I will be installing a digital control unit and then I might give it a go.
 
Definitely a keeper.

I don't know if he will share his knowledge, but I love the crystals that Kevin (Baldy Bonsai) produces... I bought a few these last 2 months.
John Britts book Mid Range glazes has plenty of recipes along with Glazy. The issue with crystalline glazes is that you need to control the temps and they are extremely runny. This coming year I'll be making a small test kiln controlled with a digital controller to experiment with.
 
Man your mame pots are always incredible, can't wait to see the shohin pots finished up. I'll be patiently waiting to throw my wallet at you
Thanks for the kind words. I'll be at the Kannapolis show next week. If you're going stop by the table to say hello.
 
John Britts book Mid Range glazes has plenty of recipes along with Glazy. The issue with crystalline glazes is that you need to control the temps and they are extremely runny. This coming year I'll be making a small test kiln controlled with a digital controller to experiment with.
I was dragged into the world of crystals because people like them, but it's not something I was attracted to naturally. There are many mechanisms of crystalline glazes, and some are better for bonsai than others imo.

The super large zinc/frit crystals are a recent western invention and I personally find them too loud for bonsai. I recommend Fara Shimbo's book if you want to make these.

Then there are the subtle crystals from Japanese potters like Koyo, Juko, Tofukuji, or Ino Shukuho. Completely different mechanism and less runny, but these glazes are natural formulations. There is more uniqueness to these glazes and each pottery's glaze is their signature. As you can tell this is the route I prefer and I am working on my own signature glaze.

I will say that my crystal game improved a lot when I got a huge kiln, because the thermal mass cools much slower. So play with the hold temps
 
These are currently cooking right now. All but one will be available at the Kannapolis show this weekend. Tomorrow I'll post updated pics when them come out the kiln.

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Smaller trees are so much easier to handle and work on. They also take up a lot less space. But there's trade offs, they do require a bit more attention and care. After seeing the beasts at Bjorn's nursery one would need a forklift to move some of them around. Bigger trees are nice to look at, but a royal pain to move around especially if you're alone.
Wondering?. Did you go to Bjorn's open house this October I believe.. I should know the date but I forgotten,,,even though I did drive from ohio to check it out.
 
Wondering?. Did you go to Bjorn's open house this October I believe.. I should know the date but I forgotten,,,even though I did drive from ohio to check it out.
Yes, I was there. If you watched his open house video I'm in a few scenes in the back apparently always on the phone.....working the pics, lol
 
That two tone purple looks very royal blue/purple to me, really love the glaze on the first one.
 
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