Behind the Scenes: Testing 2 New Glaze Recipes with Ilmenite

Behind the Scenes: Testing Two New Glaze Recipes in the Studio Both containing Ilmenite

Today was Sunday and I was in the studio getting some pieces ready for a glaze firing in the kiln. I had promised myself that in this firing, I would test out some speckled glazes, as I picked up some ilmenite recently, a material I’ve never worked with before, but have heard a lot about from other potters.

Both recipes are built around materials I keep coming back to: soft satin surfaces and earthy, beachy tones.

Ilmenite is said to create natural, dark speckles that break through the glaze surface like scattered grains of volcanic sand. It's a raw mineral rich in iron and titanium, and even in small amounts, it can add texture, variation, and a subtle wildness to otherwise smooth, calm glazes.

My tests

I was curious to see how it would interact with my more muted bases and whether it could add just the right amount of grit to the softness. I think that I'm slightly apprehensive about it too. The grains seem very small and I'm not sure if I added a little too much to my recipe. I want a soft speckle and I wonder if the ilmenite will be too sharp

Cream & Speckle

This test is based on a satin matte white glaze I’ve been refining; smooth to the touch, slightly creamy, and designed to bring softness to functional forms. I’ve added a couple of granular minerals that, if all goes well, should introduce a quiet constellation of dark specks across the surface. I'm hoping for a more creamy version and so I added a little Rutile and upped the titanium dioxide. This glaze is part of an ongoing series I'm developing, elegant neutrals with character glazes that feel earthy and grounded, yet refined enough for everyday use.

Rutile Pink Try

I've been trying to create a soft pink for a while now. I’ve experimented with tin oxide and chromium, but that combination tends to produce stronger, more intense colors. What I'm really after is an understated, earthy pink, something subtle and natural. I have a feeling I might be able to achieve it using tin oxide alongside the tiny amounts of chrome naturally present in rutile.

This test involved a slight misstep though, but I decided to go with it. Sometimes that’s how the best surprises happen in the studio.

In this case, I accidentally added more of Zinc oxide than I meant to. I was distracted mid-mix and only realized after everything was already blended. Instead of scrapping the batch, I decided to go ahead with the test. It might make the pink more bright which is what I'm trying to avoid but let's see. Ceramics has taught me that sometimes accidents lead to unexpected beauty, and this felt like one of those moments worth exploring.

A Moment For Ilmenite

Both glaze tests I mixed today include a small amount of ilmenite. I'm hoping for soft dark specks that break through the surface of a glaze like flecks of earth or ash. There’s something grounding about it, like the glaze is reminding you it came from the soil, not a factory.

Speckling adds a kind of visual texture that soft, satin surfaces can sometimes lack. It gives movement without gloss, depth without decoration. And in glazes that aim for gentle colours like whites or pinks, it introduces contrast in a really subtle, satisfying way.

This kind of detail is what draws me to ceramics, not perfection, but variation.

My raw materials

I'll share the results soon!

Now comes the waiting, the quiet anticipation before the kiln reveals its secrets. I’m excited and a little nervous to see how these two tests turn out, especially with the unexpected zinc twist and the ilmenite speckles at play.

If either of these glazes catch my eye, you’ll definitely see it in future collections. Until then, I’ll be sharing the results once they’re out of the kiln, follow along if you're curious to see how these experiments unfold.

Thank you for being here, and for supporting the slow, messy, magical process behind handmade ceramics.

Behind the Scenes: Testing 2 New Glaze Recipes with Ilmenite

Behind the Scenes: Testing Two New Glaze Recipes in the Studio Both containing IlmeniteToday was Sunday and I was in the studio getting some pieces ready for a glaze firing in the kiln. I had promised myself that in this firing, I would test out some speckled glazes, as I picked up some ilmenite recently,… Continue reading

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