35. Mayco Kiln Opening - Mugs, plates, bowls and test-tiles

Over the last 18months I've 98% been a Mayco glaze addict. I've dabbled with Amaco with minimal success and for some reason I feel happier with Mayco as it gives me stability, consistency and more success that I think a beginner would normally have! I've been super lucky, especially when I am at the start of my journey with clay, and the adventure is bringing the steepest learning curve and most incredible journey I've ever had.
I'm a hobby potter of 18 months, and I've been so lucky to be able to make my own home studio during that period. I love to be organised, and testing and experiments are definitely my thing!
I found four new Mayco glazes in stock I'd not tried and I had to treat myself. Smoke, Robins Egg, White Opal and Grey Opal. So it absolutely meant I had to try a few combinations on test tiles at the first opportunity.
If you've seen some of my previous YT kiln openings you may recall that I have a digital record of all my test tiles, including which glazes used, their application, layering order, number of coats and images before and after fired. This was a record for my personal reference but happy to share if anyone else finds it helpful. I'll be adding these tiles from this opening in the next few days.
farforestceramicsglazetests
Thanks for all the feedback and interaction, it really helps me to learn and grow. Hope to see you again soon ,
Jeanette
‪@MaycoColors‬ @hartleyandnoble #hartleyandnoble #kilnopening #farforestceramics #mayco #maycoglazes #pottery #wheelthrownpottery
#Glazekilnopening #testtiles

[@micheledickey4066]

I LOVE manganese on the rim of just about anything! I have found so many fun combos using the washes! Love love the mugs and the bowl!

[@FarForestCeramics]

It's the first time ive used it on a piece and really adore the effect it created, quite rustic which is my style. I need to try it more then, any suggestions with mayco glazes you'd had success with?

[@karenr9680]

Lovely pottery ❤

[@FarForestCeramics]

Thankyou so much Karen, loving the adventure and learning a new hobby :)

[@crispy6322]

Oh and here I was, thinking I had reached the limit of glazes I wanted (needed). Nope! I want that Smoke and Robin's egg! And that bowl, my goodness, what a stunner! Absolutely gorgeous!

[@FarForestCeramics]

Lmao!!! We are a bad influence on each other Chris 🤣🤣🤣 Smoke was a wonderful surprise!!

[@ceramicsbyjulia8552]

Oh Jeanette what a lovely kiln opening, some beautiful results! Love the stoned denim, that is now on my wish list😊 oh the bowl is an absolute win, totally in love with if. Your forms are gorgeous too love the ribbing. Shame about the crack, it always amazes me when that happens mysteriously, what a beauty of a crack though, don't think there is any kintsugi for that one😅 Love opening KZbin and finding your surprise kiln opening, I have to stop what I'm doing and watch it😊❤

[@FarForestCeramics]

I'm the same Julia when I see your you tube notifications! It's so wonderful to follow and watch someone else on the same journey and always learn something every time. I'm really liking the profile with the H&N Rib, especially with the bellied out base. I was thrilled to get 3 'similar' that I could call a set. I threw the cylinders all the the same size, but when I belly out I get variation. Need more practice! That Smoke combo, I'm still in love! Such a simple combo too! It's enjoying the Cone 6.5 firing too. Looking forwards to trying some of the test tiles out on the next batch as I'm really liking so many of them. But sadly never enough time to play clay as much as I'd like :(

[@ceramicsbyjulia8552]

@@FarForestCeramics it really is lovely to to have a friend to watch and learn from, you are such an inspirtation to me. Looking forward to seeing your test colours on some new pots, it is a shame you just don't get enough time. I love the belly profile on your mugs too, once you start to belly straight mugs never seem right😅 so much nicer to hold with a belly. I have a load to go in soon, just need to find some energy 😅

[@FarForestCeramics]

@@ceramicsbyjulia8552 oh sorry to hear you're not feeling the best, I know that feeling. Looking forwards to seeing your next opening, and I'd love to see how you make your bottle vases too! I love them. Xxxx

[@cpnotill9264]

Smoke and green tea I adore! What a fantastic kiln opening and great work J!!!!! Thanks so much for inspiring and sharing. 💜

[@FarForestCeramics]

Isn't Smoke a wonderful glaze! I'm super surprised. I think it's going to become a firm favourite as it works well is so many combos! Looking forwards to playing with this more!

[@cynthiarichert6226]

I love seeing the test tiles! Thank you for sharing your results. What cone do you fire?

[@FarForestCeramics]

For my Stoneware I fire at a hot Cone 6. I aim for 6 but Orton cones show 6.5. I love the results I'm getting so not changing the programme yet. I've got an Instagram page for all my test tiles now, with a search facility. Like my digital Filing Cabinet lol. Farforestceramicsglazetests if you'd be interested. Enjoy testing so much!

[@stephanieschoolfield1584]

Beautiful colors and really pretty mug designs! Can’t wait to try that stoned denim❤ I wonder if the cookies cracked that mug? Ive had that happen a few times and the cracks were similar to yours - bowls were just a little bit stuck to the cookies which were just a little stuck to the kiln shelf. created just enough pressure for them to crack.

[@FarForestCeramics]

Hi Stephanie, Stoned Denim is such a fab glaze, and only needing 2 coats! Bonus!!! I'm going to play more with the Ribbed surface as I do love the effect. Would like to attempt something taller for a vase, but never gone past a mug height yet lol I think the mug cracked due to the various stages it had been through before being glaze fired. It lost a handle, I soaked it with bubble Glaze and wondering if I weakened the structure with the amount of messing around I did on it. If one was going to crack that was my least favourite lol. I'd be surprised if it was the cookies but I guess it's possible. I'm planning to use underglaze on the carved bottoms in future not stroke and coat so may not need to sit on cookies in future. Something else to trial out :)

[@stampgalaxy]

What a lovely opening. Do you use hire fire clay for your cookies? X

[@FarForestCeramics]

Thanks so much. No I just use the normal clay that I fire at Cone 6.5. Then it doesn't matter if I fire at this temp or lower. They have been through at least 10 to 15 firings and still going strong lol

[@mavisdavisify]

Did you brush on the glazes or did you dip twice? Lovely colors. I really like your glaze tests. I just watched your glaze test video and plan to look at your instagram glaze page. Thanks for sharing your findings and made them so searchable too. I have a question about the manganese wash pieces? Are they food safe? Isn’t manganese a dangerous heavy metal? I’m pretty new at this glaze stuff so I really don’t have a complete understanding of what’s safe and what just for decorative purposes.

[@FarForestCeramics]

Thanks for the lovely message! I currently only use Brush on glazes, mayco predominantly. However Santa is bringing me lots of materials to start exploring my own glaze making. A new journey of discovery awaits lol. I love the testing process and find the electronic filing cabinet so useful for myself. If it helps others too that's awesome! Manganese wash I also heard is not food safe, but if add another glaze on top could be ( ie a clear) but my gut does not want to risk it so I'm not using it on rims or insides of mugs or on dinnerware to be sure. Great to connect with you and happy potting!

[@tnlpottery4294]

I put 3 coats of stone denim and love how the come out. Mine comes out more blue and it’s gorgeous.

[@FarForestCeramics]

Isn't it a fab glaze all on its own. What cone do you fire at when you get the blues? I've always had more of a green result - firing at cone 6.5.

[@tnlpottery4294]

@@FarForestCeramics I’m sorry I said wrong. I looked back at it was with stoned denim and Coyote sorcerer stone

[@FarForestCeramics]

@@tnlpottery4294 ahhh ...that's a glaze I've not heard of before, what make is that?

[@tnlpottery4294]

@@FarForestCeramics Coyote is the make

[@susanfox4263]

Hi Jeanette, I absolutely love your posts. I’m using the same glazes as you, Amaco and Mayco. I was wondering what clay you use. I’m doing a cone 5 1205 C with a 30 hold, amaco comes out fine, I keep getting pin holes with my Mayco. Any ideas. I do a long bisque and a long glaze firing. I hope you don’t mind me asking. Regards Sue

[@FarForestCeramics]

Hi Susan, I use a clay from the UK, called Millenium Stoneware from Valentine Clay. I've found a Cone 6.5 works really well with this Clay Clay Mayco glazes, but that's way too hot for my Amaco. My Cone 6.5 goes round 1190°C with a 30min hold. It's so much trial and error isn't it :)

[@walkerpottery9296-Natalie]

What a nice surprise seeing your kiln opening! Love your haircut 😍 You have come up with some really nice combos with Smoke! Also the purple with white opal! Wow! We have a purple to try out now! 💜💜💜💜 Woo hoo! I’m curious how much manganese wash you put on the rim of that gorgeous bowl!? I’ll look on your IG page for the before/after pic. Hope you’ve had a nice weekend! Hugs!

[@FarForestCeramics]

Hi, most times my hair is tied back just for convenience, less clay seems to find its way there lol! I thought of you when I saw the purple and white Opal. I'm definately going to try that! I put one thin brush stoke on the rim of Manganese wash, maybe 0.5 cm thick. Shocked at how much it came through, love it, but shocked too. Love the effect with smoke. Didn't put flux on the bowl, but interested to see how that would impact too, would it add a lighter tone? Can't recall if I had a test tile with the flux on this too?... hmm need to check... lol

[@a705fay]

You seem to be the one lady in England who is not fretting over electrical costs.....

[@FarForestCeramics]

Lol, I am very conscious of them but my kiln is fairly new, very economical and I track the KW usage. Even at current rates its only costing me £7.52 per glaze firing which as I don't fire very often I don't worry about.

[@ClaraWsfreedom]

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