Review by Pat Lindemann; 2007

Soda Glazing by Ruthanne Tudball

	Soda Glazing by Ruthanne Tudball is a must-have if you are a potter or clay artist considering the move to vapor glazing, or would like more information on the process, the kilns and the clays. Descriptive text about the soda glazing process Clear and concise kiln diagrams Profiles of potters’ firing methods

Soda Glazing by Ruthanne Tudball is a must-have if you are a potter or clay artist considering the move to vapor glazing, or would like more information on the process, the kilns and the clays.

Descriptive text about the soda glazing process
Clear and concise kiln diagrams
Profiles of potters’ firing methods

While this book assumes that you, as one who works with clay, have a rudimentary knowledge of the making and firing process, it does offer a range of basic to advanced information.

After being entranced by an article about Ruthanne in Ceramics Monthly, I bought the book and literally read it cover to cover, several times. I was going through an “I hate to glaze” phase, and thought soda glazing was my answer. Being a “how-to” person, this is the kind of book that I love. It not only shows you a picture of the outside of a particular soda kiln, but on the next page shows you the brick configuration, and burner placement.

In the chapter on how to introduce soda into the kiln, Ruthanne gives methods. Not sketchy, “well, you might try a mixture of soda ash and calcium carbonate”, but succinct recipes to use as a starting point for your own experiments in soda glazing.

There are as many different looks from soda glazing as there are potters who practice it, and this book takes a look at a variety of artists and their work. Gail Nichols, Jack Dougherty, Barbara Tipton, and John Chalke are just a few of the artists profiled, besides Ruthanne herself. The appendix features a full colored spread of extensive clay tests, clay, slip and glaze recipes, and references. Pros: Highly informative text, with detailed diagrams and pictures explaining the soda glazing process from scratch. From the history of vapor glazing and its effect on the environment to individual potters’ methods and kiln designs, this book has how-to information to use in the studio and kiln shed. Cons: This book is in a small format and does not have a great deal of color. But it makes up for it in first hand field knowledge. Altogether, this book would be a good addition to any clay artist’s library, and especially to one considering the transition to vapor glazing.

There are as many different looks from soda glazing as there are potters who practice it, and this book takes a look at a variety of artists and their work. Gail Nichols, Jack Dougherty, Barbara Tipton, and John Chalke are just a few of the artists profiled, besides Ruthanne herself.

The appendix features a full colored spread of extensive clay tests, clay, slip and glaze recipes, and references.

Pros:
Highly informative text, with detailed diagrams and pictures explaining the soda glazing process from scratch. From the history of vapor glazing and its effect on the environment to individual potters’ methods and kiln designs, this book has how-to information to use in the studio and kiln shed.
Cons:
This book is in a small format and does not have a great deal of color. But it makes up for it in first hand field knowledge.

Altogether, this book would be a good addition to any clay artist’s library, and especially to one considering the transition to vapor glazing.

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Soda Glazing by Ruthanne Tudball