How to Build a Glaze Library That Actually Works

If you're like most potters, your glaze "library" is a collection of bottles with faded labels, a few sticky notes, and a vague memory of which ones looked good together. Let's fix that. **Start With What You Have** Don't try to catalog every glaze in existence. Start with the 5-10 glazes you actually use regularly. For each one, record: - Brand and name - Cone range - Atmosphere (oxidation/reduction) - Surface finish (gloss, satin, matte) - How it looks on different clay bodies **Test Tiles Are Your Best Friend** Make test tiles with every clay body you use, and dip them in your glazes. Photograph the results. This is your real glaze library — not the manufacturer's catalog, but YOUR results in YOUR kiln. **Track Combinations** Some of the most beautiful effects come from layering glazes. When you find a combo that works, record it! Note which glaze went on first, how many coats of each, and the firing details. **Organize by What Matters to YOU** Some potters organize by color. Others by cone. Others by brand. There's no wrong answer — just pick a system and stick with it. **Share What You Learn** The pottery community thrives on shared knowledge. When you find an amazing glaze combo, share it! Other potters will appreciate it, and you'll build connections. The Potter's Mud Room has a built-in glaze library with room for photos, recipes, ingredients, and combo tracking. It's the glaze library you've been wishing for.