A few years ago I started noticing something in the studio.

Most potters are using commercial glazes because making glazes from raw materials takes space, equipment, understanding and most people want to spend that time making pots. And all of the most popular glazes are made in America, so we were paying high exchange rates and shipping costs to get these products sent from across the world.

Because I run a pottery supply shop I get to chat with ceramicists and teachers all day about what they make, what works and what they want. I have a front row seat to how the ceramics industry is shifting and what potters are looking for.…without realising, I have been doing some glaze field research.

Over time I noticed patterns for potters, colours that make people light up, certain textures that feel special in the hand and combinations that become favourites. From conversations I have found its not just the availability and cost that are hard for us using imported glazes, I also noticed the colours available didn’t always feel like us. There was space for a range that captured a different aesthetic. 

Over the years in the studio I started noticing patterns in the glazes potters loved most and what was missing. I love colour. The way it can be seen but also felt, the silky satin feel of a perfect matte glaze or the combination that inspires you to make a whole set. Eventually I felt drawn to make a glaze range for the studio.  I was excited (and sensibly intimidated) to take on glaze chemistry at this commercial scale and create something new that felt uniquely ours, I was equally thrilled about the dream of making glazes designed for Australian clays, shaped with feedback from other potters.

That’s when the real work began. Glaze books, online courses, and lots of conversations, (it’s a good thing I’m surrounded by ceramic wizards). These were the bones. But the biggest teacher was testing. So. Much. Testing. Hundreds of combinations. Endless tests. I could have used recipes from books or online, but it felt really important to develop something of my own, glazes unique to the studio, using reliable and accessible materials. But most importantly, I wanted to understand what different materials did so I had more control and knowledge to troubleshoot problems.

Hours, days, weeks, months…a dedicated year of glaze development in the studio and I felt like an alchemist because slowly, colours surfaces emerged that felt brilliant. I had a wish list of the exact glaze colours I wanted to create, but the happy accidents are probably my favourites (Here's lookin' at you Golden Sapwood and Emu Egg!).

There was a lot of experimenting. I roped in helpers to test, made the glazes available in the studio for students, pottery guinea pigs and adrenaline seekers and gave out plenty of samples for feedback, then refined and improved the range. 

The most important things were stability, consistency and safety - so we lost a few fun colours that just didn't quite meet our standard but Im pleased that the colours we have are safe and reliable. Only the most consistent, hard wearing glazes made the cut.

So here they are...

Born of earth and alchemy

The range emerged slowly and I’m in love.

I started making glazes because I love colour, the way it can completely transform a piece, the way a surface can suddenly make a pot feel alive. I also wanted to create glazes for the shop that potters would be excited to use, and that I could talk about with confidence. It's completely changed my relationship with science and deepened my appreciation of colour. For me, glaze has never just been about formulas and materials. These are really important, but it’s also about the magic. The moment when something unexpected happens in the kiln. The small variations that make a surface interesting and the joy of play and experimentation in pottery. River Rock glazes are a mix of chemistry and artistry.

Carefully tested.
But still wild-hearted.

And pottery should always leave room for surprises.

I’m really grateful for all the feedback, encouragement and photos I’ve received. It brings me so much joy to see these colours out in the world and in your hands.

Thanks for joining me on the ride.

x Jess