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How to Use Epsom Salts in Glaze

Creating art using clay can be tricky. The raw materials need to be kept cool and wet, and you have to use the right amount of water to mold the clay. If you add too much water, you will end up with a mess. If you don't add enough, your final product might crack. It doesn't get much easier once you are ready to glaze, or color, your piece. Glazes can be too thin to stick, and some ingredients can clump up, leaving marks on the clay. Adding a small amount of Epsom salts to a glaze recipe can solve those problems.

Things You'll Need

  • Pottery glaze
  • Measuring cup
  • Epsom salt
  • Water
  • Mixing bowl
  • Spoon
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure the dry ingredients of the glaze mix together. Add the required amount of wet ingredients to the glaze according to your specific recipe.

    • 2

      Multiply the number you got when measuring your dry glaze ingredients by .01. You need to add one percent of Epsom salt to the glaze based on the dry glaze ingredient measurements. For example, if your glaze measured eight ounces, multiply eight by .01 and you will get the amount of Epsom salt you need to add, which is .08 ounces. You can convert the measurements to teaspoons and tablespoons using Internet conversion websites.

    • 3

      Measure out the amount of Epsom salt you will need based on step two. Put the salt in a bowl.

    • 4

      Multiply your Epsom salt measurement by 1.5. This will be the amount of hot water you need to use to dissolve the salt.

    • 5

      Add the hot water to the Epsom salt in the bowl. Mix together until the salt is completely dissolved.

    • 6

      Pour the salt water mixture into the glaze and mix well. The glaze should begin to thicken immediately.

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Sculpture

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