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Last Updated: Tuesday, 13 March 2018 13:40

Are your students ready to take the next step in their ceramics education?? Stoneware provides a new fired art option for your classroom which allows you to diversify your lesson plans and keep the magic of the kiln alive in your students’ minds.

Why Stoneware?

• Durable & Versatile – Oven, microwave, freezer and dishwasher safe
• High-fire look, high perceived value
• Hand-built or wheel-thrown ceramic pieces. 
• Mayco's Stoneware bisque is a beautiful white clay body that is manufactured in the USA. Using pre-made shapes allows students to really focus on their glazing techniques. 
• Variety of decorating options – simple to detailed
• Compatible with Mayco Stroke & Coat due to this glaze line’s broad firing temperature. 

Mayco Stoneware Bisque ranges from mugs and dinnerware to serving pieces and home décor. The bisque is soft-fired to cone 04/03 which makes them user-friendly during glaze application, layering and firing. Mayco Stoneware has been formulated to not only Stoneware glazes, but also Stroke & Coat. How perfect since you have that in your studio! To see how Stroke & Coat colors will fire at Cone 6, check the label on the bottle to see how the color changes, if at all. 

Mayco Stoneware Glazes are available in a wide range of colors, textures and opacities including: gloss, matte, variegated matte, ice, opals, wash and crystals. 

In addition to the array of colors and finishes in Stoneware glazes, you can also create detailed designs with Mayco Creative Tools (silkscreens, mats, stamps & stencils) then cover with Stoneware Clear.  Designer Liner may be applied with a brush or with the writer tip onto Stoneware. 

Since Mayco Stoneware is soft-fired, the pieces are more delicate before firing than earthenware. However, they are more durable than earthenware when glaze fired to cone 6. Following are tips on how to store and glaze our Stoneware Bisque.

Stoneware Tips

• When unpacking, wipe the piece with a damp sponge to ensure there are no hairline cracks.
• Stack Stoneware Bisque no more than two high to avoid heavy stress. 
• We suggest placing paper between stacked bowls.
• Any bisque that does not have a tapered shape should not be stacked. 
• The benefit of using Stoneware is the functionality it provides. It is oven, microwave, freezer and dishwasher safe. 
• Place Stoneware in a cold oven and let them heat up together. Stoneware can be removed from a hot oven.
• Avoid drastic fluctuations in temperature (freezer to oven, oven to freezer) to prevent thermal shock.

Glazing Stoneware Tips

• Stoneware Glazes are “directional”. Apply glaze in the same direction with each coat. 
• Remember that Stoneware glazes move during firing, particularly on vertical shapes.
• Only use a mid-range clear glaze on Stoneware such as SW-001 Stoneware Clear, SW-002 Matte Clear, SW-004 Zinc Free Clear, and SW-003 Crackle Clear (not for food surfaces due to surface texture).
• Since mid-range glazes shift during firing, it is best to apply Designer Liner and Silkscreens directly onto the bisque instead of on top of a Stoneware Glaze. 
• Apply a transparent or semi-transparent glaze (Stoneware Ice / Opals) over the designs. 
• Mayco’s low-fire products show the mid-range firing results on each label.
• When using Stroke & Coat at mid-range, apply two coats instead of three for best results.
• Before firing, use a damp sponge to remove glaze from the foot of the piece. If the glaze is on the bottom of the piece, it will stick to the kiln shelf. 

Firing Tips

• Bisque shrinks 10% during firing.
• Dry foot Stoneware on a kiln washed shelf.
• Fire to Cone 6
• Do not stilt. Since the bisque is soft-fired the stilt may embed in the Stoneware when fired.
• Fully support Stoneware Bisque during firing. Place piece on one shelf instead of extending over the edge of a kiln shelf or onto another shelf.
• Direct mug handles toward the center of the kiln.

Keeping your Stoneware pieces separate from your earthenware is a good idea to ensure they are fired to the proper temperature (cone 6). Place Stoneware in a separate area or on a separate shelf in your kiln room or place a colored slip of paper with the Stoneware shapes to keep them separate. You may also want to consider having a set day for cone 6 firings so the pieces will be ready in a timely manner

Be sure that your students are properly trained on working with stoneware so that they are comfortable with the process; this makes your customers comfortable. Essentially, stoneware can be decorated with the same techniques as earthenware, but you get the additional option of using Stoneware Glazes to create dramatic looks. 

Create a variety of samples that feature both low-fire and mid-range glazes to inspire students. As you talk about the products, decoration options, and proper application process, students will be able to see what you’re talking about. Students like the idea of decorating shapes in a way that makes them look like “real” pottery, in addition to realizing that they can use the techniques that you have already taught them. 

Creating a series of lesson plans that feature different techniques, shapes or glazes will allow your students to explore Stoneware in a fun, but educational way. Classes could feature: 

• Traditional Stoneware Glazes (earthy colors)
• Vivid colors or Pastels with Flux
• Stoneware Crystals
• Detailed designs with Stroke & Coat and Designer Liner
• Create a specific design for the group using Creative Tools
• Feature a different type of shape in each class: Session 1 – Mugs, Session 2 – Serving Pieces, Session 3 – Vases, teapots, etc. 

Invest some time into experimenting with Stoneware so you’ll be ready to share this outstanding fired art in your classroom. Your students will love the opportunity to work with a diverse new product and you’ll enjoy the new enthusiasm – all while “keeping it in the kiln!”

Resources

• Stoneware Project Gallery
• Stoneware Glaze Palette
• Stoneware Glaze Combinations 
• Stoneware Bisque Collection

SW-165 Lavender Mist	SW-166 Norse Blue	SW-167 Sand & Sea
SW-168 Coral Sands	SW-169 Frosted Lemon	SW-170 Blue Hydrangea
SW-171 Enchanted Forest	SW-172 Macademia	SW-173 Amber Quartz
SW-174 Leather