Crystalline Pottery

         Crystalline pottery has captured a lot of fans due to its remarkable
    beauty. The pottery is so-named because crystals are grown in the glaze
    during the firing process, producing images of frost, snowflakes, or
    flowers. The color and shape of the crystals, the color of the base glaze,
    and the shape of the piece all come together to produce a unique work
    of art.
            Crystal growth is affected by many factors, including the chemicals
    in the glaze, the thickness of the glaze, the shape of the piece and the
    firing temperature. To grow the crystals, the pottery is taken to a high
    temperature, then brought down a few hundred degrees and held
    constant to allow the growth to occur.  Potters are constantly
    experimenting with variations in the techniques to obtain new and more
    spectacular results.
            Crystalline is more expensive than other pottery due to the more
    expensive glazes, the longer firing times, and the unpredictability of the
    process. Many crystalline pieces never get to the market due to
    inadequate or unattractive crystal growth.
            Many of my crystalline pieces are more elegantly shaped than my
    stoneware pieces. The complex handles, shapes and flourishes provide a
    wonderful pairing to the crystal patterns. But the crystals also put on a
    show all by themselves, so I also glaze simpler shapes like vases and wine
    chillers in crystalline, to give the customer pieces they can use for
    everyday occasions.