The Magic of Lilac Crackle Glaze: A Journey with Ceramic Artist Raquel Acosta

Hello fellow craft enthusiasts! Today, we’re diving into the mesmerizing world of ceramic glazes, guided by the incredibly talented Raquel Acosta. Based in her charming garden studio in South West London, Raquel breathes life into everyday objects with her stunning, handcrafted ceramics. Her brand, Glaze Me Pretty, is a testament to her passion for the captivating alchemy of glazes.

What fascinates me most about Raquel’s work is her dedication to exploring the infinite possibilities of glazes. She doesn’t just coat her pieces; she transforms them. She likens the process of glaze formation to the creation of rocks and minerals beneath the Earth’s surface, a beautiful analogy that highlights the fascinating science behind this art form.

Raquel spends months meticulously developing each glaze, striving for unique textures and effects. Her recent exploration focused on the interplay of fluxes – the magic ingredients that influence a glaze’s melting point and final appearance. She experimented with four different flux pairings, keeping the alumina constant while varying the silica content. This meticulous approach resulted in a spectrum of finishes, from smooth, almost shimmering mattes to those with a captivating waxy texture.

Unveiling the Lilac Crackle Glaze

One of Raquel’s most striking creations is her lilac crackle glaze, a testament to her experimental spirit. This particular glaze emerged from a series of tests where she combined a sodium-strontium base with a vibrant palette of metal oxides. This technique, known as volumetric color blending, allows ceramic artists to create a wide array of colors with relatively few base ingredients.

Imagine Raquel in her studio, carefully measuring out each oxide – copper, cobalt, nickel, chromium, iron, manganese, and rutile – each adding its own unique voice to the final glaze. The result? A stunning collection of 28 distinct colors, each more captivating than the last.

From this vibrant spectrum, the lilac neodymium glaze emerged as a clear favorite. This delicate yet striking hue, achieved with the addition of neodymium oxide, showcases the power of rare earth elements in ceramic art.

Recreating the Magic: Raquel’s Lilac Crackle Glaze Recipe

Inspired to embark on your own glaze journey? Raquel graciously shares her recipe for the lilac crackle glaze:

Ingredients:

• Soda feldspar: 25g
• Strontium carbonate: 32g
• Borax frit: 12g
• Quartz: 24g
• EPK Kaolin (China clay): 7g
• Neodymium oxide: 7.9g

Firing: Cone 7

Note: Raquel sources her neodymium oxide from US Pigment, while the remaining ingredients are from Scarva.

Remember, glaze recipes are just a starting point. Experimentation is key! Don’t be afraid to adjust the recipe, trying different combinations of oxides and firing temperatures to discover your own unique glazes.

Beyond the Lilac Crackle: Exploring Raquel’s Artistic Vision

Raquel’s artistic journey extends beyond this single glaze. She continuously pushes the boundaries of ceramic art, exploring new techniques and materials. Her portfolio is a testament to her creativity, featuring a diverse range of pieces, from functional tableware to captivating sculptural forms.

Her work has been featured in prestigious publications like Ceramic Review, a testament to her growing influence in the ceramic art world. Through her website, glazemepretty.com, Raquel shares her passion for ceramics with the world, offering workshops and insights into her creative process.

Raquel’s story is a reminder that the beauty of ceramics lies not just in the final product but also in the journey of exploration and discovery. So, grab your tools, embrace the unpredictable nature of glazes, and let your creativity flow! You never know what stunning creations await you in the depths of the kiln.

Further Exploration:

• Ceramic Arts Network: A fantastic resource for ceramic artists of all levels, offering articles, tutorials, and a vibrant online community.
• The American Ceramic Society: A leading professional organization for ceramic artists and scientists, providing access to research, publications, and events.
• John Britt Ceramics: Explore the work of renowned ceramic artist and author John Britt, known for his expertise in glaze formulation and application.