Jeanette thoroughly enjoys systems and organisation so it was no surprise she also adores the process of testing her glazes to create wonderful glaze combinations to use on her pottery.
All her tests are meticulously documented and displayed in her studio on a test tile wall for quick reference but also in a digital filing cabinet on Instagram.
Jeanette's digital library of glaze test tiles quickly caught the attention of potters on Instagram who were fascinated by the search facility she had implemented, allowing them to easily find specific glaze combinations within her collection for their own reference and inspiration.
Each Instagram post showcases the final glazed outcome of each test tile, with many including an image before firing, giving you a sneak peek into the glaze application. Glazes are tested on both a smooth tile as well as textured to help identify glazes which create interesting results when breaking over texture.
In the description below each Instagram post you will find full details of each glaze used, application, number of coats used, clay body and firing programme used.
Jeanette started off using Mayco brush on glazes before branching out to Stroke and Coat and Amaco. Her glaze collection is forever expanding with possibilities for new combinations never ending. She has recently started making her own dipping glazes using recipes from Old Forge Creations ‘First Five’ which are also included in her digital filing cabinet.
Check out the highlights section on her Instagram which are regularly updated when new glazes added to her inventory of tests.
The digital filing cabinet can be found here:
Far Forest Ceramics: Glaze Tests
In the Instagram search bar type #FFC_ followed by the glaze name
For example:
#FFC_Cordovan
#FFC_BlueHydrangea
#FFC_BlueSurf
Results will bring up test tile combinations using the glaze searched, and sometimes some pieces Jeanette has made with this glaze.
Jeanette mainly tests between cone 5 to cone 6.5 depending on the results she is trying to achieve, and the temperature restrictions of the glazes being tested. This will always be detailed in the description section of the Instagram post for each test tile.
Jeanette also shares her detailed firing programmes in the ‘highlights’ section on her Instagram page for reference.
Interested to see how Jeanette makes her test tiles, and her test tile wall?
Check out these reels on Instagram.
Underglaze indicator labels & test strips
Would you like to try to make your own glazes but are not sure where to start?
Jeanette documented her glaze making journey on YouTube which you can follow by checking out her playlist ‘Lets Make Glaze’ on YouTube
