Artist spotlight on....

LK Studios
Crystalline Pottery
by Lana Williams

Lana gets the inspiration and energy for her work from the panoramic view of the Blue Ridge Mountains where her studio is located. Once introduced to the crystalline glaze, she was capitvated. The spontaneously formed crystal patterns on each piece is a never-ending source of delight and amazement. Very few potters attempt crystalline glazes and even fewer are successful in achieving crystals.

Crystal growth requires meticulous detail to the glaze formula and firing schedule. By mixing different oxides or rare earths into the glaze a wide range of crystal colors can be achieved. With a carefully controlled firing schedule, the zinc oxide in the glaze will chemically bond with the silica; forming random patterns of zinc zilicate crystals within the glaze. Unpredictable and complex to achieve, crystalline glazed porcelain remains fascinating to potters and collectors worldwide. Just like snowflakes and sunrises, no two are ever the same.