Welcome to the Obsession.

I had shared the story with William about my discovery of crystalline glaze; he thought it would be a good story for this section. I was in an antique shop in Williamsburg, VA. in 2007 staring at this vase, trying to figure out how the potter painted on such intricate details, that looked like little flowers. Having never worked with pottery, glaze, or kilns in my life: I spent the next five years typing in various searches. Then in 2012 I finally typed in "crystals," because that is what the images of the vase reminded me of. After scrolling through several pages I happened across this website called Handspiral by William. Clicking on the link, finally the images I had seen five years prior, I joined the forum as a member the next day. From 2012 until just a few months ago I never posted anything. I bought Creber's and Islley's books; bought all the necessary clay, kilns, equipment, and glaze materials mentioned. After reading both books from cover to cover numerous times: I thought this is a cake walk. That was in 2012, and it is now 2015. and now I think I must have been insane. I have come to believe that crystalline glaze is addiction; the left side of your brain says idiot, and the right side says keep pushing. So glad Arnie is here to counsel us, and give us medications as needed.... JK'ing. Jim once called it an obsession, I prefer the term passion.

Tom