For Flux Sake Podcast

Today on For Flux Sake we have a topical 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.

On today’s episode of For Flux Sake our hosts talk about the coefficient of expansion and its relevance for practical use when planning glazes for your studio. Hint, hint…It’s not as helpful of a measurement as you might think. They also discuss the effect of crazing on clay body strength and how to deal with glaze faults when you work in a communal studio.

On today’s episode of For Flux Sake our hosts talk about the definition and dynamics of slip. They also discuss a few helpful tips for once firing.

On today’s episode of For Flux Sake our hosts talk about studio cleanliness and the presence of silica in our community studios. Matt shares a CDC paper on the topic and settles a few misconceptions about the prevalence of silicosis in studio ceramics.

This week we feature the first ever live taping of For Flux Sake. Our hosts answer listener questions from their Zoom audience about clay for outdoor sculpture, the characteristics of common Frits, and why it’s so hard to make a smooth glaze on dark midrange clay bodies.

On today’s episode of For Flux Sake our hosts give us the good and bad news about pinholing. Turns out this tricky defect can be caused by four separate problems wrapped into one. Tune in to hear their solutions and the variety of ways you can stop this glaze defect.

On today’s episode of For Flux Sake our hosts talk about the ins and outs of slip casting. They discuss the dynamics of plaster and why some slip recipes are harder to cast with.

On today’s episode of For Flux Sake our hosts have a grab bag of listener questions. They talk about dealing with freezing bags of clay, what to do if your kiln loses power mid-firing, and the pros and cons of venting electric kilns.

On today’s episode of For Flux Sake our hosts talk about the effect of mold growth on plasticity. They also answer a question about slaking clay and a listener writes in to challenge the gang on bisque temperatures.

One of the hardest things in ceramics is waiting for your kiln to cool. On today’s episode of For Flux Sake our hosts talk about the threshold for unloading a hot kiln. They also answer a few questions about crazing and discuss why Shino glazes turn fuzzy when they dry (pictured above).