How Potters Can Make Their Own Colouring Oxides

Oxford Clay Podcast
Episode 27: How Potters Can Make Their Own Colouring Oxides
Commercial metal oxides used by Potters to colour their work are some of the most environmentally harmful pottery materials. However, Potters can circumvent these supply chains by making their own metal oxides from recycled metal! In this episode we explore the process of making Iron Oxide (rust) and Copper Oxide (verdigris) from scrap metal and how Potters can use these homemade colourants in their work.
The course mentioned in this episode: www.oxfordclay...
The book mentioned in this episode: www.oxfordclay...
Resources for Potters:
Download the Free How to Make a Pottery Glaze Workbook (suitable for beginners): www.oxfordclay...
Download the Free How to programme an electric kiln for bisque and stoneware glaze firings (includes full kiln firing schedule) www.oxfordclay...
Oxford Clay website resources for Potters: www.oxfordclay...
Pottery eBooks: www.oxfordclay...
Pottery Paperback Books available from amazon: www.amazon.co....
Video mini-courses for Potters: www.oxfordclay...
Oxford Clay blog: www.oxfordclay...

[@Melissa-iw8xo]

Enjoyed you and your video. For me visuals are important and helpful and including them might capture more interest. Thank you.

[@malcolm7436]

Really interesting video, thank you! Would have loved to have seen some examples held up to camera. You're doing great work for the world in trying to make pottery more green. :)

[@dizzylizzy7582]

Me too. I'd love to have seen the outcome on some pottery.

[@RodrigoSantos-ve7op]

Thanks a lot! I new in to ceramics and started to make my ow oxides as I live in the middle of the amazon jungle so it's really expensive and difficult to buy it here!! I make brass oxide with swimming pool clarifier I just put the brass inside with water and the clarifier for couple minutes and next day is completely green. then just scrape off. thanks a lot for all the tips!

[@sueoconnor7324]

Love this, thanks for sharing your methods, going to give them a try

[@patspotpage]

Thank you for sharing this information! I've not found it anywhere else on the 'net, and have been searching for it for quite a while.

[@micheledickey4066]

This has given me soo many great ideas!! I have a few things that my dad gave me when I first bought my home 23 years ago and they are rusty!! I can believe I can take that rust off and use it on something in remembrance from my dad.

[@beinghere1494]

Thank you so much. I so enjoyed listening to you and love what you’re doing. Bless you 🤗

[@ChristianeHulsmans]

Simple and indeed a logical step toward a better environment. Thank you for reminding me of the things we learned at school.

[@myth-termoth1621]

When using scrap copper avoid getting solder into your batch, some solders contain lead.

[@MyFlyonwall]

Thank you for that really interesting and helpful content!

[@markfriedrichsen6303]

Show the process please

[@traceyhilder6640]

Really interesting so pleased I’ve found you before I start on learning about pottery

[@myth-termoth1621]

I would point out that in small amounts iron oxide and copper oxide won't do you much damage. The human body already uses iron and a little copper so the body has some defences against these substances.
Clay dust in the air is really bad for your lungs as the body has no way to disassemble an alumino-sillicate particle so silicosis is a permanent condition.

[@gloriazimmermann-ze7ug]

love this!! have been wondering the same thing!

[@ingegerdandersson6963]

You are talking about how this is more environmental friendly because you use recykled metal, but then you say you get the coppar from the charity shop and pay more than they would get from recykling. So the gain for the environment isn’t there unless you save the metal from the dump or from being left in nature.

[@danpolloreno472]

Would have been better with a visual of making colors

[@handstoheartspottery]

Great information. Are the finished pieces food safe?

[@jameslowrance]

If an oxide is mixed with a food safe glaze then it most likely food safe. (Testing is always best).

[@valeriedevilliers9675]

I'm excited 🎉

[@curlyfern9977]

Thank you!!

[@thehappypotter9612]

can copper sulphate also be used for colouring pottery?

[@myth-termoth1621]

Yes, mix it carefully with baking soda, taking care because it will fizz all over the carpet. This makes copper carbonate powder which sinks to the bottom after a while.

[@DimasFajar-ns4vb]

peace be upon you and zamzam water

[@souadshaiek4650]

شكرآ

[@INDIANFRANKLIN67]

Please tell me hindi sister