The Glaze is Lava
an online mini-course on silicon-carbide glazes
AVAILABLE FEBRUARY 15th
Have you seen those volcanic, puffy, crater textures like lava rock, coral, or tiny meteorites? Many of these effects come from one simple additive: silicon carbide (SiC).
In this short 5-6 hour course, we focus on the lava glaze (also called magma/crater/volcanic).
SiC-based glazes are my favorite playground because small tweaks create big changes. This course is half hands-on, half a clear summary of my research and the hundreds of tests I’ve run myself and with students. We’ll start with quick wins to get lava working, then unpack the science behind SiC and the variables that shape results.
We’ll also troubleshoot common issues - how to get bigger bubbles, how to make sure the glaze doesn’t break, or how to get whiter glaze surfaces.
It’s not just one glaze: it’s a method for discovering hundreds of unique, repeatable ceramic textures through smart experimentation.
Limited-time: $159 early-bird
If you have ever done a course or a workshop with me, email me at maria@loramceramics.com for an additional discount.
Course Structure
What is a lava/crater/magma glaze? (and why it happens)
Types of volcanic effects: SiC, baking soda, cryolite
How SiC works: gas formation, melt timing, why bubbles become craters or foam
Glaze chemistry essentials: Si:Al, flux balance, R2O:RO ratio, oxides. If you’re not familiar with glaze chemistry, I strongly recommend taking my Textures in Ceramics first.
Key variables that change results: Si :Al ratios, R2O:RO ratios, types of flux, SiC amount + mesh, titanium/rutile, colorants, thickness/water content
Application + firing theory: layering concepts, kiln programs, clay body influence
Troubleshooting: grey color, bubble size, healing, gloss vs matte
FAQs
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The course is a deep, research-based breakdown of lava/crater glazes, built around lots of test tiles and what they reveal. You’ll learn the key variables that change results (SiC amount/mesh, chemistry balance, thickness, firing factors) and exactly what to tweak when your lava isn’t bubbling, is too grey, or the texture isn’t right.
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If you want to learn how to design/run tests, tile systems, workflows, and the overall glaze chemistry - sign up for my Textures in Ceramics course.
For recipes and ongoing test results, join my Patreon.
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You should be familiar with glaze mixing and glaze chemistry to get the most out of this course. If you feel like you’re lacking knowledge, you can purchase this course together with my Textures in Ceramics course.
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Lava glazes tend to work best around cones 5-8, so most of the test tiles in this course are fired to cone 5-6. With the right approach, you can get similar effects as low as cone 06 and as high as cone 10. I’ll explain what to adjust to adapt the glaze to your temperature, but this course doesn’t include extensive research or large experiment sets for every cone range.
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While subtitles are not available, I provide downloadable transcripts for all videos, which you can translate into your preferred language.
Interested in Glaze Recipes?
Join my Patreon is where I share my personal glaze experiments - mostly Cone 6 oxidation - including both wins and failures, straight from the kiln. You'll find:
Exclusive glaze recipes + test results
Extended learning perks for students in my courses
A way to support my work, even if you’re not collecting ceramics
I post new tests 3-6 times a month, and sometimes do exclusive Zoom calls. Whether you're here to learn, connect, or support - welcome.