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Post by serian on Nov 6, 2017 8:09:44 GMT -6
Hello! I'm Serian from Germany. In my study of ceramics (1990-92) I discovered the crystal glazes. After some development time, I burned my own ceramics for many years. Now I work as a ceramic engineer in the industry and a bit as a northern-light-photographer. At the moment, I only make crystal glazes sporadically. But maybe it will become more in the future again.
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gczop
Full Member
Posts: 202
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Post by gczop on Nov 6, 2017 8:33:52 GMT -6
Serian, Highly accomplished work, encourage you to continue and display on the forum, looking forward to that. Cheers, Gordon
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joerg
New Member
website: www.crystalsforever.com
Posts: 49
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Post by joerg on Nov 13, 2017 13:55:00 GMT -6
Serian, Highly accomplished work, encourage you to continue and display on the forum, looking forward to that. Cheers, Gordon Hi, Serian! Long time no see :-) welcome here ! Jörg
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Post by tileman2 on Nov 13, 2017 19:11:06 GMT -6
Serian: I agree with both opinions above: exceptional pieces. Question: I noticed very distinct growth ring patterns on your pieces. By chance were you influenced by Derek Clarkson from the UK? Tom
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Post by serian on Nov 14, 2017 4:21:18 GMT -6
Hi Tom, Thank you for your praise (Tom, Gordon and Jörg!) ! Yes you are right, Tom. The first time I saw pieces by Derek, it inspired me to create such rings as well. It is finally very simple. I lower the temperature in the tempering-time (1095°C) down to 1050°C, hold a few minutes and rise the temperature up again. The longer I stay on 1050°C, the wider the lines of the rings will be. You have only the problem, that at 1050°C there are arising more seeds where new crystals are growing from. But sometimes it is quite successful:
I like the look even when the crystals are growing together. It looks a bit like agate.
Sometimes a little reduction will make the rings more visible. I reduce by putting some coal in the kiln in the cooling time at 820°C after the normal crystal-burning and then close the kiln tightly during the rest of the cooling-time. That’s a little earthy but funny. I make not rings in every burning. Here’s an old piece of 1,1m (~ 44 inch) without rings which I have made with a friend. He has thrown the vase according to my form and I took the glaze on it. Then we burned the vase in an improvised oven… Beautiful, uniform crystallization:
But very sadly this vase is lost in Dubai, with 23 other, smaller pieces of outstanding beauty.
Don’t ask; this is a very dark episode in my ceramic-life… My glazes (the glossy ones) are based on a standard frit you have in Germany. It’s the alkali-frit 1233 from Mondre & Manz.
I think that’s the best alternative to the 3110 you have in the USA (the Degussa 90208 does not exist here either). In the meantime, the 3110 is also available in Germany. I have it now and will make some experiences in the future. Cheers Serian
P.S: Please excuse my English, it’s not the best. If I write something incomprehensible, please ask.
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Post by mohawkpiper on Nov 14, 2017 18:55:20 GMT -6
Serian, Amazing work! Welcome to the forum! Very much looking forward to more of your work.
Best, Greg
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Post by tileman2 on Nov 15, 2017 6:21:28 GMT -6
Serian: Interesting that you mentioned coal for reduction. I have a bucket of it out there, but never got around to using it yet. The creek bank behind my house has a coal seam projecting out from it, been meaning to try it for sometime. Tom
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Post by serian on Nov 15, 2017 9:38:28 GMT -6
Hi Tom! I think gas reduction or reduction with the oil-drop method brings more consistent results. But sometimes the results with the coal are also surprisingly fantastic. That was an test on a rough chamotte clay. Covered with porcelain engobe. I was pleasantly surprised by the uniform red color of the crystals after a strong reduction with coal (two pictures, same vase):
Nice the pink lines around the crystals. I have not achieved a comparable result up to today...
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paul
Junior Member
Posts: 51
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Post by paul on Dec 2, 2017 23:20:21 GMT -6
Excellent!
Definitely enjoyed viewing your pieces
Regards
Paul
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