Glazing a functional tooth jar

Hey everyone! I wanted to dive a bit deeper into the process of creating these super unique tooth jars that I absolutely love making. There's something so satisfying about transforming a simple ceramic bottle piece into a functional, artful item, especially when it's something as quirky and sentimental as a tooth jar. My journey with this particular piece started even before the glazing. You know how life gets messy? Well, I actually spilled coffee on it last week! But don't worry, for those new to pottery, little mishaps like that usually burn out completely in the kiln, leaving no trace. It's all part of the magic and a lesson in not stressing too much over imperfections before the final firing. Now, onto the fun part: glazing! This is where the magic truly starts to happen and where you begin to see the piece come to life. For this tooth jar, I knew I wanted a multi-layered look, which means careful application. One of the trickiest parts is clearing glaze from the holes in the piece. If you don't do this meticulously, the glaze can fill them in, and they'll fuse shut during firing, losing their intended design. I use a small tool to carefully remove any excess, ensuring every detail remains crisp. After the initial glaze layers are on, I move on to add wax to specific areas. This step is crucial because the wax acts as a resist, preventing further glaze from adhering to those spots. More importantly, it helps don't close during firing areas like the rim or any delicate openings. It's a simple trick that saves a lot of heartache in the kiln! Then comes the creative layering. I love to apply glaze in the grooves of my signature designs. This adds depth and character, making each tooth jar truly one-of-a-kind. It's a delicate dance of brushstrokes and anticipation, imagining how the colors will pop once fired. You might be wondering, Can you guess how many glazes I use on this piece? Well, for this one, it was quite a few! By the time I was done, it was Eight glazes later, and the jar was finally ready for firing!. Sometimes, when I'm really in the zone, I might even glaze right there without thinking, only to realize I need to clean it up later – but that’s all part of the learning process! For anyone thinking about trying their hand at pottery or glazing, my biggest tip is to embrace experimentation. Don't be afraid to try different glaze combinations. Every piece, even a tooth jar, tells a story, and the glazing process is a huge part of that narrative. Functional art is so rewarding because you create something beautiful that also serves a purpose. Imagine storing precious baby teeth or tiny mementos in a jar you made yourself! The anticipation for the kiln opening is always immense – We'll see her in a week or so! and I can't wait to share the final reveal. It's truly amazing to see how a little clay and a lot of glaze can become such a treasure.