Using Sodium Silicate to Create Crackle Texture on Pottery

[@denisenoble4010]

Great video, I did this in my adult ed class, tutor did a demo a d as I'd just finished throwing a small vase she asked if I'd give a go. I loved the crackle effect, this may become one of my favourite techniques along with agateware and mocca diffusion. Thanks for sharing 😊

[@kindredspirit1]

Thanks for the video Justin. It was really good.

[@PK-qf1sn]

Yes first off your work is really cool....my question is about your throwing stick did you make it and either way can you tell me how to make one or purchase one through you which is probably the best way as I am disabled and am not able to feel my hands which is where clay comes in it's helped immensely in restoring my fine motor coordination..... anyway thanks for any info you can provide...... thanks for your videos lots of stuff I want to try....

[@yaffabarelkovsky1447]

Which sodium silicate do you use - do you prefer a specific brand? Do you use it straight from the bottle, or you dilute it further with water, and if so - which dilution you use? Thanks for sharing your beautiful works.

[@JustinsMakery]

I don't have a favorite brand. Just what the supplier had. I don't dilute it. I do use it straight from the bottle, which is probably not a good practice, but it's hard to know how much to pour into a container, and then there is waste. I do go out of my way to make sure that no water gets into the container. Brushes are used dry and quickly washed with water after use.

[@FrugalAlbionQueen]

Great video, thank you for sharing. Hi I am an artist and trying to make my own texture that can give me cracks. Can tile adhesive be mixed with sodium silicate in order to get cracks. Would be very grateful for all replies.

[@lynnost1959]

Looks awesome! Thanks for sharing!! (I came from jonthepotter)

[@JustinsMakery]

Thanks!

[@jackiemorrison6024]

What kind of tool are you using to shape??

[@dalecandela9773]

Did you use an underglaze or just glaze to number 3?

[@yaffabarelkovsky1447]

What do you think will happen if you put the sodium silicate on a flat surface, without curving/pushing it out? would it create any crackling? Thanks again.

[@JustinsMakery]

It won't crackle unless you stretch it.

[@deelee1070]

Awesome work. I love the ropey one also ! I'd like to have that rib on a stick ! Where to get one ?

[@JustinsMakery]

Thanks! I sell them on my website www.justinsmakery.com

[@jtcpottery]

@@JustinsMakeryThey're sold out 😩

[@mamajane88]

What is the tool you are using to stretch it please?

[@offcenteredpotter]

do you have to use a torch?

[@suzannetenbrink7328]

It looks amazing! Which ratio/ how much SS would you use if you mix it with slip? ( like Curt Hammerly?)

[@JustinsMakery]

I didn't add a whole bunch. For 4-6 oz of slip I added maybe 2 spoonfuls of SS. I'm not too precise.

[@suzannetenbrink7328]

@@JustinsMakery Thanks for the info, I'm going to try it out!

[@donnaboucher684]

my slip is very thick and I have sodium silicate to make it thinner. but know how much to use. no directions.30 lb. box

[@c.g.1291]

Thank you

[@hananfathy2689]

خامة الطين تؤثر على النتيجة ارجو الرد

[@rob266]

Can you achieve these cracks without stretching out the body of the vessel? I want to achieve the same effect but on a hand-built vessel and I can't stretch the vessel. anymore.

[@HGD70]

There is a crackle glaze you can buy. Mayco makes some, I'm sure others do, too.

[@adrianmunday4278]

Hi there, that great thanks. Can you add SS into a coloured slip or add stain to SS before painting it on?

[@JustinsMakery]

Yes you can. You can add it to a glaze, an under glaze or a slip. I haven't tried adding mason stains to the SS directly. I opted to put it on on top of a glaze rather than mix it in more for the practicality of leftovers. Any premixed Sodium Silicate with a slip that wasn't used on the pot ends up thrown away.

[@adrianmunday4278]

Thanks, time to give it a try :)

[@roman3zko]

A spoon will work?

[@joesmall3839]

Great video, I tried this with my normal buff stoneware clay and the crack texture didn't develop. I've read that sodium silicate reduces plasticity and that's why it cracks. I'm wondering if my clay is too plastic? You and others seem to use a white body

[@JustinsMakery]

I think it may reduce placticity if it's mixed into a body or slip maybe? In this case, it makes a candy shell that cracks and takes the clay along with it. I would try adding additional coats and making sure it's dry. Sodium silicate will stretch and not crack if it's not dry. Good luck!

[@suelewis753]

Can you fire these in an electric kiln ? Can there be other pots bisqued at the same time without sodium silicate on them?

[@JustinsMakery]

I do fire these in an electric kiln. I also bisque fire them next to other pots without any problems. I believe it just burns off.

[@adamsimpson731]

What tool are you using to stretch the walls?? I'd love to snag one!

[@JustinsMakery]

I make them. One of my first videos "Rib on a Stick" shows how. I plan on having them up for same within a few weeks as a regular item. Shoot me an e-mail if you want me to make you one in the mean time.

[@bjbmbc]

Do you have any control over whether the crackles are in a diagonal pattern? From what I can tell it is more diagonal on the bowls (curved pieces)

[@RayleneG679]

Can a heat gun be used instead of a torch?

[@thegreaterconundrum]

yes

[@EngineWelder]

Where can I get that tool?

[@JustinsMakery]

Glad you asked. I'm making a batch of them right now. I should have them up on justinsmakery.com for sale in a couple of days.

[@noahsavolainen7848]

What was the blue tool that you used to create the bumps?

[@JustinsMakery]

I 3D print a few of the tools I use. That tool is one of them. It has several half-round cutouts at the leading edge.

[@ronyabdul967]

Sow your tools before