Chic, the Pottery Poet, uses 12 glaze chemistry poems that rhyme throughout the presentation, making it easier to remember it all! This poem below was featured in the July 2009 Potters’ Pages. Many have enjoyed reading and sharing her poems with those new to glazing. To read other articles in the July issue of go here. - Carolyn Dorr

Alkali Flux
A Poem by Chic Lotz | Potters Council Member | www.potterypoet.com

With a variety of fluxes

that help glazes melt,

knowing which kind

will certainly help.

We have alkali fluxes

and alkaline earths

and some additional fluxes

that have extra worth.

The “alkali” oxides

are more alkaline

than alkaline earths

so they make glazes shine.

Alkali oxides

are stronger you know.

They react rather quickly

and really can GO!

Of the alkali oxides,

we do have three:

lithia, soda and potash

as you can see.

Glossy and runny

and bright colors too,

these are the things

they can bring to you.

“Where do I find them?”

you might ask.

In feldspars, frits, carbonates

and soda ash.

But soda ash, pearl ash

and lithium carbonate

are “soluble” ingredients

which isn’t too great.

So get lithia, soda

and potash too

from feldspars and frits . . .

less soluble for you.

But soda and potash

can make a glaze craze.

Their high expansion rates

aren’t always good for a glaze.

To get the right ratio

is an important goal

if you don’t like crazing

inside of your bowl.

Small amounts of lithia

can be just great,

since it reduces crazing

with its low expansion rate.

You get crazing and running

with too much alkali flux.

Finding the right ratio

is really the crux.

High alkaline glazes

with lots of alkali,

create certain colors,

so give them a try!