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Brought to you courtesy of Coastal Claymakers - potters and clay artists from the Mid North Coast of NSW dedicated to the study of, promotion and presentation of ceramics.

1. When testing a glaze - The volume of water to add to the dry ingredients is approximately two thirds of the volume of dry ingredients. Use two identical cups to visually estimate this. Add the dry ingredients to the water and allow it to slake down (wait for about two minutes). There should be about 3 mm depth of water over the settled glaze ingredients. If there is more, touch the surface of the water with a small sponge and draw off the excess. Stir and apply to a test tile by dipping, pouring or brushing, as desired.

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2. Fluid Glaze - If you have a fluid glaze you like and don't want to give it up even though it runs all over the kiln shelf, try putting a sliver of soft brick under the pot. The brick will act like a sponge, soaking up any glaze that might run off the pot, thus protecting the shelf as well as your pot.
3. With a cross cut saw, this slice of soft brick can be easily cut from a brick and gently broken away from the pot after firing. Some grinding, if necessary finishes the piece.
4. Raku - For excellent crackle results, fire your pot, take out of the kiln and allow to rest for about one minute. When glaze 'pings' put the pot into the reduction container, cover with paper, allow to flame, then close the cover. Leave for about two minutes, lift the lid and allow the paper to re-ignite. Close the cover again and leave to reduce and cool normally.
5. Tracking your glaze ingredients - Cover the glaze page you are using with a sheet of clear plastic and cross off each ingredient with a white board marker as you go. Wipe clean when finished or discard.
6. To exchange cobalt carbonate for cobalt oxide - divide the carbonate amount by 100 and multiply by 63 to give the oxide amount. Vice Versa: Divide the oxide amount by 63 and multiply by 100 to give the carbonate amount.
7. From Peter Rushforth: To avoid thick glazes prone to running from dripping down onto your kiln shelf, dip the lower half in water before dipping into the glaze. It will then absorb a thinner layer of glaze.

More information about the Coastal Claymakers.