Specific Gravity and Flocculation
An Online Course for Ceramic Artists Who Want More Consistent Glaze Results
You deserve amazing glaze results
Treat yourself to a deeper understanding of your glazes.
Registration now closed
Next registration - early 2020
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00Days
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00Hours
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00Minutes
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Three Course Options
Choose the program that best suits your learning style. Do you want to take it on your own? Do you want the support of a group and instructor? Do you need individualized coaching?
Inconsistent glaze results?
Has it ever happened to you?
Have you ever had a “tried and true” glaze that doesn't work for you?
A clear glaze that turns cloudy when thick?
A "stable" glaze that runs sometimes?
A finicky glaze that never turns out the same?
Kiln opening surprises?
If you're nervous every time you fire your kiln because you don't know if your glazes are going to work out, you probably wish you had a way to better control your glaze results.
You shouldn't have to sacrifice so many pots.
Sure, there's always a trial and error period for using a new glaze. But once you get a glaze to work, you should just be able to repeat those results every firing, right?
That's how it should be!
What if you loved glazing?
I hear a lot of potters say that glazing is their least favourite part of the pottery making process.
Chances are, most of those potters have been betrayed by their glazes in one way or another.
Glazing should be an exciting part of the process where you get to put the finishing touches on a piece. Where it all comes together. Where you complete the vision and take your pots through their final transformation.
It shouldn't be the part where you potentially ruin your beautiful pots.
Can you remember a time when you opened the kiln to find out that your glazes worked perfectly? Isn't it the BEST feeling? So satisfying!
You deserve to have those satisfying feelings every time you open the kiln.
I'm here to tell you it's possible. You just need to get to know your glazes on a deeper level.
Consistent glaze thickness
The key to consistent results
Did you know that the physical thickness of your glaze application plays a major role in the fired appearance?
A glaze might have a lot of depth and variation when thick, but appear completely flat and uniform when thin.
Some glazes turn out a completely different colour when thick vs thin.
When layering glazes, the thickness of each glaze in the combination will influence the end result.
Certain glazes work best when thick and others are best when thin.
There's no right or wrong answer to how thick a glaze should be. This is an artistic decision you can make based on your own aesthetic preferences.
But even when you know how you like your glazes best, the tricky part is often repeating those results firing after firing.
This course will help you with that.
Adding water
How do you decide how much water to add?
Do you have a way of figuring out how much water to add to your glazes? Do you just add water until it seems right in the bucket?
That's what I used to do. It seemed simple enough until I started getting different results every time I glazed.
The amount of water you add to your glazes has a big impact on how your glaze will apply to the bisque.
When your water content is consistent, it's more likely that your application thickness will also be consistent.
A method for controlling water content
By measuring the SPECIFIC GRAVITY of your glazes, you get to take an objective look at the water content, no opinions required.
You can check the specific gravity at any time. You don't need to know how much water or how much glaze you started with.
Specific Gravity
Specific gravity is measured by weighing a volume of glaze. This course will cover all the steps for measuring specific gravity.
I'll show you different tools you can use. Some you can make yourself. Some you probably shouldn't use (ahem - the hydrometer).
The steps themselves are quite simple. So simple, in fact, that I created a free guide where all the steps fit on one page that you can print out.
You can download the free guide by going here.
Now you might be thinking "If Sue's giving away the steps for free, then why would I buy her course?"
That's a very good question! And the answer is this:
Measuring specific gravity is only part of the puzzle.
It's just the first step.
The first step to controlling glaze thickness for consistent results is to control the WATER content of our glazes by measuring SPECIFIC GRAVITY.
Flocculation
Water isn't the only thing that affects glaze thickness
When we have a glaze that's too thick, the natural response is to add water. If a glaze is too thin, we might attempt to remove some water.
But did you know that water isn't the only factor that affects the thickness of our glazes?
There's a concept called FLOCCULATION that changes the way the clay particles in our glazes interact with each other.
Flocculation affects the VISCOSITY or physical thickness of a glaze, regardless of water content.
Your thick glaze might not need more water
There are scenarios where adding water to a thick glaze will cause problems like cracking/crawling.
Instead, we can deflocculate the glaze, to thin it down.
Without adding water!
There are also scenarios where you'll want to keep adding water to a glaze, even when it already seems too thin.
Then you can flocculate the glaze to thicken it back up again.
It's like magic!
How to use Flocculants and Deflocculants
Flocculating and deflocculating are ways of changing the viscosity of our glazes in the bucket, without adjusting the water content.
In this course, I go into great detail about how flocculation works and how different glaze materials affect viscosity.
I'll go over different types of flocculants and deflocculants, how to use them and what happens if you add too much.
Flocculation and viscosity play a major role in how our glazes apply to our pots.
By the end of this course, you'll have a solid foundation for understanding all the factors that are affecting your glaze results and how to control them.
Does that sound exciting to you? It's exciting to me! I want you to find glazing enjoyable and creative, not frustrating.
The second step to controlling glaze thickness for consistent results is to adjust the VISCOSITY by FLOCCULATING or DEFLOCCULATING as required.
Fix common glaze issues
Many glaze issues can be improved by adjusting viscosity. If you've experienced any of these glaze problems, this course will help you solve them.
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Cloudy clears
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Unexpected running
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Glaze cracks before the firing
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Glaze crawling during the firing
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Glaze looks different firing to firing
Course Outline
The course is split into 6 modules plus 2 bonus video sections. Each module contains several short video lessons.
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1
Module 1: Taking Control of Your Glaze Results
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Welcome to the course!
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Introduction
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Expectations and Experimentation
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Taking Notes Taking Pictures
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2
Module 2: Glaze Application Thickness
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Factors That Affect Application Thickness
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Bisque Porosity
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Application Methods
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Specific Gravity
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Viscosity and Absorbent Materials
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Flocculation and Deflocculation
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How to Convert Kaolin to Calcined Kaolin
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Module 2 Recap
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3
Module 3: Tools and Materials
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Volume Measuring Container
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Scales and Mixing Devices
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Flocculants and Deflocculants
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4
Module 4: Measuring and Adjusting Specific Gravity
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How to Measure Specific Gravity
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Steps for Measuring Specific Gravity - download
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How to Determine Your Target Specific Gravity
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Scenarios Where Specific Gravity Might Need Adjusting
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Steps for Adjusting Specific Gravity
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5
Module 5: Assessing and Adjusting Viscosity
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Assessing Glaze Viscosity
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Epsom Salts and Vinegar, Darvan and Sodium Silicate
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How to Flocculate
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Steps for Flocculating - download
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How to Deflocculate
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Steps for Deflocculating - download
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Scenarios Where Flocculation May Need Adjusting
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6
Module 6: Glaze Testing Methods
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Determining Your Glaze's Sweet Spot
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Glaze Testing Examples
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7
Bonus: Flocculation and Deflocculation Experiments
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Intro to the Experiments
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Flocculation and Deflocculation Experiments - download
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Clay slip + Darvan
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Clay slip + Sodium Silicate - over-deflocculated
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High Frit glaze + Vinegar
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High Absorbent Materials glaze + Darvan
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No Clay glaze - Hard Panned + Epsom Salts
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High Clay glaze + Vinegar
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8
Bonus: Specific Gravity Videos
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Facebook Live - Measuring Specific Gravity #1
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Facebook Live - Measuring Specific Gravity #2
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Measuring Specific Gravity and Flocculating
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9
Live Glaze Chat Q&A Sessions
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Live Q&A Schedule with Meeting Links
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Pre-submitted Questions for Glaze Chats
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Glaze Chat Q&A Session - Apr 12, 2019
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Glaze Chat Q&A Session - Apr 26, 2019
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Glaze Chat Q&A Session - May 3, 2019
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Glaze Chat Q&A Session - Aug 23, 2019
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Glaze Chat Q&A Session - Aug 30, 2019
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Glaze Chat Q&A Session - Sep 6, 2019
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Glaze Chat Q&A Session - Sep 13, 2019
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Glaze Chat Q&A Session - Nov 8, 2019
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Course Schedule
This course will be released in 2 parts. The first part covers the WHAT and WHY of Specific Gravity and Flocculation. The second part covers HOW to use these techniques in your studio. Once all videos are released, you'll have forever access to them plus future updates.
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Aug 19: Modules 1-3
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Aug 23: Glaze Chat Q&A
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Aug 26: Modules 4-6 & Bonus content
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Aug 30: Glaze Chat Q&A
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Sep 6: Glaze Chat Q&A
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Sep 13: Glaze Chat Q&A
DIY Program
Take the course independently.
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Forever access to course videos and updates
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Learn at your own pace and watch lessons as often as you want
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No private Facebook group (but you can join my free FB group - Understanding Glazes with Sue)
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No in-course discussion
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No weekly Glaze Chat Q&A sessions with Sue
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No 1:1 glaze coaching sessions with Sue
Guided Group Program
Take the course in a group setting with support from current and past students, and Sue!
If you learn best by interacting with others, you'll really enjoy the guided group program.
We will have four weekly Glaze Chat Q&A sessions, which are a fun way to get together and talk about glaze issues and successes.
The Glaze Chats are designed so you can have your specific questions answered, even if you can't attend live. The calls are recorded and then posted to the course so everyone can watch the replay.
I'll be taking pre-submitted questions before each session. Then I'll answer/discuss all the questions on the call.
Whether you're attending live or watching the replay, your questions will be answered.
There's also a private Facebook group AND on-course discussion that I'll be checking every day to answer questions as they come up.
Guided Group Program
Take the course with others.
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Forever access to course videos and updates
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Learn at your own pace and watch lessons as often as you want
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Ongoing access to private 'students only' Facebook group
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In-course discussion (if you're not on Facebook)
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4 weekly Glaze Chat Q&A sessions with Sue
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Participate in all future Glaze Chat Q&A sessions, every time I lauch the course
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No 1:1 glaze coaching sessions with Sue
Group plus 1:1 Glaze Coaching
Join the guided group program plus receive two 1:1 glaze coaching sessions with Sue.
If you feel like you could use some extra support, I'm offering private glaze coaching.
Maybe there's a glaze you want to fix, or a firing problem you want to solve.
Maybe you're a beginner setting up a new studio and have a million questions.
Coaching sessions are not limited to specific gravity and flocculation, or glazes even. Bring whatever you need help with and leave with steps to move forward.
Come back for a follow up session after you've gotten some results.
Group plus 1:1 Glaze Coaching
Take the course with others, plus 1:1 support from Sue.
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Forever access to course videos and updates
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Learn at your own pace and watch lessons as often as you want
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Ongoing access to private 'students only' Facebook group
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In-course discussion (if you're not on Facebook)
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4 weekly Glaze Chat Q&A sessions with Sue
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Participate in all future Glaze Chat Q&A sessions, every time I lauch the course
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Two 1:1 glaze coaching sessions with Sue
Registration now closed
Next registration - early 2020
-
00Days
-
00Hours
-
00Minutes
-
00Seconds
You deserve amazing glaze results
Treat yourself to a deeper understanding of your glazes.
Three Course Options
Choose the program that best suits your learning style. Do you want to take it on your own? Do you want the support of a group and instructor? Do you need individualized coaching?
General FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions about the course in general
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I'm a complete beginner, will this course be useful to me?
Yes! This course will help you develop great glaze habits right from the get go. If parts of the course seem too advanced, just take in what you can and then you can always come back and re-watch it later. You will probably learn something new every time you re-watch the videos.
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I use commercial glazes. Will this course be useful to me?
If you ever add water to your glazes, this course will help you. You can measure the specific gravity of commercial glazes just like any other glaze. Since their composition is unknown, they may react unexpectedly to flocculants or deflocculants. Always test with a small amount of glaze.
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I don't have time to take a course right now. Will you be offering it again soon?
Since you get forever access to the course content, plus future updates, you can sign up now and watch the videos whenever you're ready. I do plan to run this course again in the future but the date is uncertain and the price could go up.
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What's your REFUND POLICY?
It's important to me that you are happy with your purchase. If you're not, you can request a full refund up to 14 days after the first modules are released (til Sep 2).
DIY Program FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions about the DIY Program
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What does DIY mean?
Do-It-Yourself
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If I'm in the DIY Program, can I email you questions about the class?
Private support will not be provided about class content. Please join my free Facebook group - "Understanding Glazes with Sue" for discussions on all glaze topics, including the topics of this course. Link to Free FB Group is at the top of this page.
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If I'm in the DIY Program now, can I switch to the Guided Group program or Glaze Coaching program later?
No problem, just let me know and I'll give you a link to upgrade. You just have to pay the difference.
Guided Group Program FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions about the Guided Group Program
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If I'm in the Guided Group Program, can I email you questions about the class?
Private support will not be provided about course content. All questions will be answered in one of the online discussion forums. You can join the private 'students only' Facebook group called Specific Gravity and Flocculation, or if you're not on Facebook, there's a discussion section on the course site. Those are the 2 places to ask questions about course content. Plus there's the 4 live Glaze Chat Q&A sessions that are a lot of fun!
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How do the live Glaze Chat Q&A sessions work?
They will be live video Zoom calls where we all get on camera together and discuss how everyone's doing with the course. You can use your webcam or mobile device camera to participate. If you want to show me something in your studio, no problem! Technology these days makes it so easy to teach and learn from afar. Everyone gets the opportunity to ask me their own specific questions and you'll also benefit by hearing me answer other people's questions, that you may not have even thought of.
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What if I'm unable to make it to the live Q&A sessions?
There will be an opportunity for you to pre-submit your questions before the Glaze Chat and I'll answer them live during the meeting. All of the Q&A sessions will be recorded and added to the course so you can watch them any time you like. They're designed to help you even if you can't be there live.
Group plus 1:1 Glaze Coaching FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions about the Guided Group plus 1:1 Glaze Coaching program
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How does the 1:1 glaze coaching work?
After the course starts, we'll schedule a half hour video chat where you can ask me any glaze questions you have. They don't have to be related to the course. We can analyze glaze flaws, find new recipes, talk about firing schedules, anything! Bring a specific problem and I'll give you some next steps to try. Then we'll reconnect for another half hour session after you've gotten some results. First session must take place within 4 weeks of purchase.
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If I don't need the coaching now but need it later, can I add it down the road?
Absolutely! Just let me know and we can get started whenever you're ready.
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Can I get glaze coaching without buying the course?
Yes! Send me a message and we can discuss an individualized coaching package that works for you. Just click "Contact" at the top of the page.
Meet Your Instructor
Sue McLeod
Sue is a studio potter from Victoria, BC, Canada. She has been the ceramics studio technician at a community studio since 2015 and has been teaching workshops on ceramic glaze chemistry since 2017.
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Sue received a diploma in Clay from Kootenay School of the Arts in 2010. Between 2014 and 2017 she took online clay and glaze chemistry courses through Alfred University.
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Sue gave a talk at the 2018 NCECA conference in Pittsburgh where she presented her research on cone 6 glazes.
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It is Sue's goal to make ceramic glaze chemistry accessible to everyone.
You deserve amazing glaze results
Treat yourself to a deeper understanding of your glazes.
Three Course Options
Choose the program that best suits your learning style. Do you want to take it on your own? Do you want the support of a group and instructor? Do you need individualized coaching?