Macrocrystalline glazes — a glimpse into space
They are so wonderful that you can't stop looking at them. Every now and then, I take the cups in my hands and admire the crystals that have formed. These are very special glazes that are not easy to make. Special conditions and a complex firing process are needed, as well as a bit of luck for the crystals to form. Just a 5 - 10 °C temperature difference in the kiln can determine whether the crystals will appear or not. I was lucky that almost all of my cups crystallized, except for two — but they turned out really beautiful as well. We can conclude that it was a very successful workshop, everyone was thrilled.
The workshop took place at Čakovec School of Construction for 4 days, led by our dear professor and top-notch ceramic master from Mali Lošinj, the one and only Čazim Čazo Mehmeti. I've just finished an education by Prof. Čazo, which lasted for 4 months, so the Macrocrystalline Glaze Workshop came as a cherry on top to try out everything I've learned about glaze chemistry.
Everyone had the task of making and bisque-firing their works, and at the workshop, following Prof. Čazo's instructions, we mixed the Macrocrystalline glazes by ourselves. I specially made a set of porcelain cups for this workshop, and glazed them in different colors — from shades of white to dark blue, not knowing exactly what effect would result in the end. After three days of firing and cooling we could hardly wait to open the kilns. There were so many ceramics that we easily filled the small, medium, and large kiln (twice).
Considering that these glazes tend to drip a lot, each ceramic piece had to have its own catcher for the glaze, which had to be additionally made of clay. Of course, the most crystals accumulated in these catchers, so the catchers themselves look wonderful too. :)
It also happened that the school in Čakovec had a School Anniversary, so an exhibition of student artworks was held, in which we also participated with our Macrocrystalline ceramics. In any case, it was a wonderful experience, I gained a lot of knowledge, and met interesting people who share the same thing — a love for ceramics.
As Čazo would say: "...for love, you need to have soul".
We crystallized :)
Workshop: Macrocrystalline Glazes
Leader: Čazim Čazo Mehmeti
Organization: The principal Damir Srnec, Prof. Petar Križnar, Prof. Tamara Mustač
Location: School of Construction Čakovec, Croatia
Duration: 27. — 30.4.2024.
Participants: Sandra Ban, Goran Blažević, Boris Bon, Matej Drusany, Ljiljana Fučkor-Grahovac, Alenka Gololičič, Katja Jurkovšek, Marija Koški, Stela Kovačić, Petar Križnar, Ljubica Lovrenčić, Lovorka Lukani, Jasna Mihovilović, Tamara Mustač, Biserka Orešković, Vesna Osojnički, Snježana Pokos-Vujec, Roman Pregelj, Robert Prunk, Verena Smokvina, Dario Šipoš, Daliborka Škevin, Katarina Zanne
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Photo: Stela Kovačić, Petar Križnar, Čazim Čazo Mehmeti, Dario Šipoš