Prospecting for materials

One of the intriguing aspects of firing to 2300F (1200C) is that many materials stable at ambient temperatures metamorphose and fuse into the ceramic Pursuing the question of “what about this material,” I’ve earned the pleasure of making a one-of-a-kind ash celadon, among many other delights.

Field-fresh piece of the Upper Bandelier Tuff – sintered volcanic ash

First step is the Jeff-built, flail-type rock crusher, which reduces rock to coarse sand

Sericitic (micaceous) rhyolite from Pavo Real mine – awaiting its glaze purpose

Magnetite sand magnet-mined from local Santa Fe arroyos (used for temmoku glaze)

preliminary melt tests of candidate materials

Crushed material is sieved, baked, and ground to powder in a ball mill